Journal of Ethnobiology 27(1): 46–72 Spring/Summer 2007 ETHNOBOTANY OF RIVERINE POPULATIONS FROM THE RIO NEGRO, AMAZONIA (BRAZIL) ANDRE´ A LEME SILVA,a JORGE TAMASHIROb and ALPINA BEGOSSIc aDepartamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biocieˆncias Universidade de Sa˜o Paulo, Sa˜o Paulo, Brazil, CEP 05580-900 ^
[email protected]& bDepartamento de Botaˆnica, UNICAMP Campinas, Sa˜o Paulo, Brazil ^
[email protected]& cFisheries and Food Institute, Rua Coronel Quirino 1636, Campinas, Sa˜o Paulo 13025-002, Brazil, and Fisheries Management and Training Program, PREAC-UNICAMP ^
[email protected]& ABSTRACT.—This paper presents a comparative study of plant knowledge and use in rural and urban areas in the municipality of Barcelos in the Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil, based on a total of 81 interviews. Using diversity indices (Shannon-Wiener), plant knowledge is compared among communities (urban- rural population), and between sex (male-female) and age (older or younger than 40 years) categories within each community. Among our informants, we found quantitative differences concerning the knowledge of medicinal plants between sex and age categories. Some individuals play a key role relating to medicinal plant knowledge, and steps should be taken in order to include them in management and conservation plans. Key words: ethnobotany, diversity indices, plant knowledge and use, Rio Negro, Brazilian Amazon. RESUMO.—Com base em um total de 81 entrevistas, no´s apresentamos um estudo etnobotaˆnico comparativo entre populac¸o˜es urbanas e rurais na municipalidade de Barcelos no Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brasil. Usando´ ındices de diversidade (Shannon-Wiener), o conhecimento de plantas e´ comparado entre as comunidades estudadas (populac¸a˜o urbana e rural), geˆnero (masculino e feminino) e categorias de idade (menos que 40 anos e mais que 40 anos de idade).