Traditional management of Cactaceae: Cereus jamacaru DC as the native cactus most managed by rural communities in areas of Caatinga in Brazil

Abstract

Background: Studies on management practices reflect the quality of the actions regarding the managed resource by people and allow us to identify possible selective pressures over time.Methods: Was investigated how have been carrying out management practices using native cacti species in two communities. Data collection was through the ethnobotanical (semi-structured interviews) and morphometric approach (botanical measurements). It was aimed to interview residents who used and/or cultivated some native species. For morphometric analysis were recorded total height from the highest branch and the maximum number of stem ribs per plant, ground-level and chest level diameter. Managed and unmanaged plants were comparatively analyzed. Was created a distribution map with gathering and cultivation areas indicated by the residents through QGIS software. The Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to investigate the differences between the specimens managed and unmanaged, and the Pearson linear correlation test to test the correlation between the diameter x height.Results: People mentioned the management of six native species, through the collection, non-selective incipient management, and ex situ cultivation. Low complexity activities were the most frequent; also, there was little variation between the forms of management. Cereus jamacaru DC. was the most locally managed species and by a higher number of people, and it was observed that specimens from the Area of Direct Use (ADU) had greater variation.Conclusions: Intra-specific variants were identified by people and they said to prefer the larger and healthier branches and younger (green) cladodes, suggesting human selection that can favor particular phenotypes where these plants are propagated.

When Are Cacti Found with Flowers and Fruits? Estimation of the Reproductive Phenology of the Genus Xiquexique Based on Herbarium Data

“…The use of phenological data has become increasingly important for predicting the responses of plant species to global climate change, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere. The seasons there define distinct reproductive periods that are typically associated with higher temperatures and longer days, followed Diversity 2024, 16, 79 2 of 15 by an interval of dormancy with cooler temperatures and shorter days [2][3][4]. This suggests that factors such as temperature and photoperiod play fundamental roles in regulating phenological events in these environments, highlighting the importance of such studies for understanding plant adaptations and biodiversity conservation [5,6].…”

“…Ethnobotanical studies have highlighted the versatility and usefulness of cacti for rural communities in the semiarid region of Brazil [16]. Although these plants, particularly the Xiquexique species, play crucial roles in the subsistence of local human populations, few studies have focused on their regional availability [17].…”

“…Although these plants, particularly the Xiquexique species, play crucial roles in the subsistence of local human populations, few studies have focused on their regional availability [17]. Local communities rely on these plants not only as food sources, but also as forage and, notably, as living fences, which underscores their multifunctional value [16,17].…”