Selection criteria for use and conservation priorities for plant species in a Quilombola community in Baixada Maranhense, Brazil.

Background: The Amazonian biome is home to a vast diversity of plant species that are of fundamental importance to traditional communities such as the Quilombolas. These communities use different criteria to select and prioritize species for use. This study focused on the perceptions of these communities regarding the availability of medicinal, food, and timber plant species, with the aim of identifying priority resources for conservation and assessing the risks associated with the collection of these resources in the Queluz Quilombo, Anajatuba, Maranhão State. To this end, the following hypotheses were tested: Useful plants perceived by informants as more abundant locally will be more multifunctional; (II) more versatile; (III) more frequently recalled by informants; and (IV) there is a difference in collection sites depending on the use category.

Methods: Between March 2022 and December 2023, 75 out of 105 families residing in the visited communities agreed to participate in the study and were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires that included socioeconomic questions and free lists. Plants were assessed based on their perceived abundance in the area. Generalized Linear Models were used to examine the relationship between perceived abundance, species versatility, and their salience by category. In addition, percentages were calculated for collection sites and the structure of the most affected plants within each category.

Results: Multifunctionality and versatility food did not significantly affect the perceived abundance of useful plants; however, versatility in medicinal and timber use was found to be significant (p-value: 0.012* e p-value: 0.011*, respectively). Proximity of resources to homes was a key indicator of abundance for food plants, while effectiveness and quality were the primary factors for medicinal and timber species. Timber species such as Paparaúba (Simarouba spp.), Sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth.), Pau D'arco (Handroanthus albus (Cham.) Matto), Cedar (Cedrela spp.), and Jenipapo (Genipa americana L.) were identified as being under greater use pressure. However, local factors have mitigated the risks associated with collecting these resources. The study found that medicinal and food plants are mainly collected in backyards (87.07%), while timber plants are more commonly gathered from the forest (74.14%). The parts of plants most affected differ by category, with leaves (97.14%) and fruits (77.73%) being primarily collected from medicinal and food plants, respectively, and stems (100%) from timber plants.

Conclusions: These findings provide valuable insights for the development of conservation strategies and the sustainable management of plant resources within local communities. The results emphasize the need to consider both biodiversity and the socioeconomic and cultural dimensions involved in the use of these natural resources.