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Abstract Detail


70 Years After Schultes: Economic Botany from the Andes to the Amazon

Paniagua Z, Narel Y. [1], Camara Leret, Rodrigo [2], Bussmann, Rainer [3], Macia, Manuel [2].

Differences in traditional use of palms reflect the life history of users - the case of indigenous and campesino communities in Beni, Bolivia.

The life history of the local population isoften reflected in the usage patterns of resources in their surrounding environment. We studied two human groups living in the same ecosystem, with the same species of palms present. The indigenous Chacobo reached their present settlement area about 60 years ago, when American missionaries established a homeland for the tribe. The campesino communities settled around 40 years ago at the end of the local rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) boom. Our study showed that the campesinos mostly rubber tappers or their children know and use a larger number of palm species for a more diverse range of applications. This knowledge is a result of their extensive voyages during rubber collection, which gave them the opportunity to learn about and experiment with a large number of species. This knowledge has been transferred into their present day lives, and is used to find new income sources from products derived from palms. The Chacobo in contrast use palms mostly for subsistence, for a low number of uses.

Broader Impacts:


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1 - Herbario Nacional de Bolivia, La Paz, Bolivia
2 - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, Departamento de Biología, Área de Botánica, Calle Darwin, 2, Madrid, 28049, Spain
3 - Missouri Botanical Garden, William L Brown Center, PO Box 299, St. Louis, MO, 63166-0299, USA

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: SY07
Location: Maryland Room/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
Time: 1:45 PM
Number: SY07002
Abstract ID:38


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