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Plant contributions to local and traditional communities in the Parnaíba Delta, Brazil: a review

ABSTRACT

With this study, we aimed to identify the plants used by communities residing in the Delta do Parnaíba Environmental Protection Area (APA) and their material and non-material contributions. Data were collected from scientific articles indexed in the Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO and Google Scholar databases. The following word combinations were used: Ethnobotany ‘OR’ Knowledge ‘OR’ traditional AND “Delta do Parnaíba”. Seventeen scientific articles met the inclusion criteria, produced from studies carried out in 13 local APA communities. In the publications, 130 plant species cited by local people were identified. The species reported contributing to traditional medicine, food, crafts, and wood and use as religious magic, inspiration, and physical and psychological experiences. We suggest that the services provided by APA plants be better evaluated so that populations residing in this Conservation Unit continue to receive, in a sustainable manner, the benefits that local plants can provide.

Keywords:
contributions from nature; economic botany; flora

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