Management of native and exotic plant species with edible fruits in a rural community in a protected area of NW Patagonia

Abstract

Management practices are very sensitive to socio-environmental change and the influence of market society. This case study was carried out in the Cuyín Manzano rural community, situated in a protected area within the North Patagonian UNESCO biosphere reserve. We investigate the differential practices applied by the community with regard to management of native and introduced species with edible fruits using semi-structured and free interviews in 11 homes (80%). A Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was also performed to validate the field results. The data was analyzed quali-quantitatively, in the latter case with Generalized Linear Models. A total richness of 27 species was found, of which 11 were native and 17 introduced. Native plants were mainly managed by gathering and tolerance, while exotic species were not only harvested, but also protected, sown and transplanted, and plants inherited from forebears were cared for. Management intensity varied according to origin, being greater for the introduced species. In addition, the species of greater cultural importance were also those which experienced a higher number of management practices, with possible processes of incipient domestication being particularly notable for two native plants. Exotic plants have a higher probability of being managed, and with greater intensity, than native ones, even though the latter have had a much longer history of use. Our results show patterns of diversification of edible fruit species through different management practices. For inhabitants, these practices represent significant situations of contact with nature, which enable traditions based on local knowledge to be maintained.

Landscape, agrobiodiversity, and local knowledge in the protected area “Quebrada de los Cuervos y Sierras del Yerbal,” Uruguay

“…Among the 71 species recorded for human consumption, there is a high number of fruit trees, with about 33 species, predominantly from the Rosaceae, Rutaceae, and Myrtaceae families, in line with other studies (Furlan et al, 2017;Chamorro and Ladio, 2021;Mariel et al, 2021). There are important exotic fruit species at the local and national level, such as Citrus spp., peach, apple, plum, grape, and quince.…”

“…The recorded uses were classified into 11 categories: human consumption, animal feed, medicine, veterinary use, toxic and harmful use, fuel, construction, industry and crafts, environmental uses, ornamental, and social, symbolic, and ritual uses (Pardo de Santayana et al, 2014). The management practices were classified into 10 categories, based on an adapted proposal from various authors (Casas et al, 1996(Casas et al, , 2014Blancas et al, 2013;Furlan et al, 2017;Chamorro and Ladio, 2021): "tolerance" referring to species allowed to remain in environments where thinning, pruning, or weeding activities are carried out; "protection" implying actions taken to prevent damage caused by environmental factors to the species; "improvement" involving the favoring of individuals of the species or variety, for example, by eliminating competition, irrigation, seed dispersal, soil improvement (including soil cultivation and addition of fertilizers, among others); "propagation" referring to direct propagation of the species through seeds or vegetative methods; "transplantation" involving the moving individuals that have established naturally or were initially tolerated and then removed; "pruning" referring to the removal of parts of a plant with a specific goal; "gathering" involving direct harvesting of natural populations; "selection" referring to selecting certain phenotypes for reproduction; "community circulation" involving the exchange of plant materials among neighbors, family members, or other individuals; "care for inherited plants" involving the preservation of plants that were initially cultivated by others.…”

“…Additionally, other species were recorded that could be classified as small fruits (berries), such as Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Allophylus edulis, Citharexylum montevidense, Chrysophyllum gonocarpum, Psidium salutare, Passiflora caerulea, Myrceugenia euosma, and Celtis ehrenbergiana. Native fruits, particularly berries, have great nutritional and medicinal value and have been used by indigenous and traditional populations since ancient times (Furlan et al, 2017;Schmeda-Hirschmann et al, 2019;Rivas et al, 2020Rivas et al, , 2023Chamorro and Ladio, 2021).…”

“…Several authors (Caballero-Serrano et al, 2016;Tabakian, 2019) emphasize cultural factors as determinants of diversity in plant use, in addition to physical and socioeconomic factors. Chamorro and Ladio (2021) report 39% of native species in use in Patagonia, where the respondents were mestizos and criollos with some Mapuche influence. Caballero-Serrano et al (2016) found 64% of native species in use in the Ecuadorian Amazon.…”

Cross-scale analysis of diversification processes in fuelwood use in three contrasting ecoregions of Argentina (Chaco, Pampa and Patagonia): the role of exotic species in subsistence

“…Even so, it should be clarified that from the perspective of rural communities, these academic categories (native/exotic) tend not to be considered or to coincide with locals' appropriation of the fauna; the idea of "invasive" even tends to include certain native species that hinder them carrying out their subsistence activities (Martínez and Manzano-García 2019). Exotic species form part of the local cultural heritage; they are known, used, and included in everyday practices independently of their origin, enriching the repertory of plants used by the local people (Chamorro and Ladio 2021;Doumecq et al 2020b;Ghiani Echenique et al 2018;Martínez and Manzano-Garcia 2019). The exotic species used for fuel are thus just as important as the native species in the subsistence lifestyle of the rural communities studied.…”