Plantas que mantienen al ganado: conocimiento campesino asociado a especies forrajeras en la Sierra de Ancasti (Catamarca, Argentina)

Background and aims: Peasant communities associated with small-scale livestock often have deep knowledge of the environment, ecosystems and plant species in which their animals are fed. In this study, knowledge associated with forage plants in the Sierra de Ancasti, Argentina (Dry Chaco) was inquired. Accordingly, we determined what types of livestock is raised in the area, what plants are consumed by domestic animals and, in local terms, what is considered a forage. M&M: By using the snowball technique, 20 households, related to livestock areas, participated in the open and semi-structured interviews. Study participants were specifically asked about forage species. Field work was complemented with participant observation and guided walks with peasant shepherd families related. Results: Local production is mainly related to goats, sheep and cattle. Regarding forage plants, 154 species were found (corresponding to 129 genera, 51 families). The high percentage of species of native origin is significant (78%). According to the Frequency Index, the most widely cited kinds of forage are: Cereus forbesii, Medicago sativa, Vachellia aroma, V. caven y Zea mays. Conclusions: The variety of species consumed by the different types of livestock, the prevalence of native fodder species and the diversity of habits and parts used highlights the region's rich biological diversity. Likewise, the forage term was defined by Ancasti’s inhabitants as associated with the concept of “raise” the animal (feeding, fattening, caring or increasing production).