Wood as Cultural and Biodiversity Heritage: a case study at Fazenda Dois Rios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Abstract

Wood has always been fundamental to human development, serving as a raw material for buildings, tools, and other artefacts. Its diverse applications over time are recognised as part of our cultural heritage, as wood not only holds aesthetic value but also embodies the skills and knowledge of past generations. Additionally, the taxonomic identification of the species from which these historic woods were sourced provides insights into the flora of different regions worldwide. These aspects gain greater importance when evaluated together at the only UNESCO Mixed Heritage Site of Culture and Biodiversity in Brazil, Paraty and Ilha Grande. Thus, we examined the wood used in the construction of a 18th century warehouse on Ilha Grande. The identification of the samples began with the InsideWood database to generate preliminary taxa. Detailed anatomical comparisons were conducted using databases, literature, and reference collection. Species were selected for comparison based on anatomical similarity, commercial relevance, geographic distribution, and local floristic records. Seven different taxa were identified, six of which are compatible with the local formation of Atlantic Forest. These wood identifications expand the knowledge of the region's cultural and environmental heritage and ratify the use of wood as an analytical tool for understanding environmental history.