Prioridades de conservação e sustentabilidade do extrativismo de plantas medicinais da caatinga

Abstract

Studies on conservation of medicinal plants in semi arid region, Northeastern Brazil are pratically rares, in spite high extractivist pressure on some medicinal species. Scientific approaches on priorities and conservation of medicinal plants are need to provide better management, development and sustainable use of those resources. This study aimed evaluate local priorities of conservation and sustainability of extractivism of medicinal plants in caatinga vegetation (municipality of Caruaru, Pernambuco, Northeatern Brazil) through cultural and biological aspects. Ethnobotanical methods were used in the community of “Riachão de Malhada de Pedra”, to record local knowledge about medicinal plants, associated a study of availability of plants in two areas of a same fragment. All together, 21 species were identified belong to 12 botanical families. Only Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. Was considered suitable to high priority of conservation. Sixteen species were considered adequate to harvesting potential based in a predetermined quota system and four species are considered for harvesting without provoking great impacts in natural populations. The area far from community showed a higher stage of regeneration than adjacent area to community. Significant differences were not identified in the extrativism pressure between areas.