Ethnobotanical knowledge in rural communities of Cordoba (Argentina): the importance of cultural and biogeographical factors

Abstract

Background: The possibility to better understand the relationships within the men, the nature and their culture has extreme importance because allows the characterisation of social systems through their particular environmental perception, and provides useful tools for the development of conservation policies.

Methods: The present study was planned to disentangle environmental and cultural factors that are influencing the perception, knowledge and uses of edible and medicinal plants in rural communities of Cordoba (Argentina). Interviews an participant observation were conducted in nine rural communities located in three different biogeographical areas. Data about knowledge of medicinal and edible plants and sociocultural variables were obtained. Data were analysed by Principal Components Analysis (PCA).

Results: The analysis of data confirmed that medicinal species are widely used whereas the knowledge on edible plants is eroding. The PCA showed four groups of communities, defined by several particular combinations of sociocultural and/or natural variables.

Conclusion: This comprehensive approach suggests that in general terms the cultural environment has a stronger influence than the natural environment on the use of medicinal and edible plants in rural communities of Cordoba (Argentina).

Figure 1

Location of the studied communities within each of the three biogeographical regions of Córdoba province. References: ChV: Chañar Viejo, RC: Rayo Cortado, CC: Cerro Colorado, LP: La Paisanita, LA: Los Aromos, SC: San Clemente, Ch: Chancaní, SM: San Martín, SV: San Vicente.

Figure 2

PCA showing the distribution of useful plant species, socio-cultural variables and the nine communities from three different biogeographic regions of Córdoba, Argentina. Abbreviations: SC: San Clemente, LP: La Paisanita, LA: Los Aromos, CC: Cerro Colorado, ChV: Chañar Viejo, RC: Rayo Cortado, CH: Chancaní, SV: San Vicente, SM: San Martín. A: tourism, B: NBI, C: medicinal plants/women, D: med.plants/stable work, E: medicinal plants/16&+years of residence, F: food plants/6 to10 years of residence, G: food plants/unstable work, H: food plants/16&+ years of residence, I: food plants/women, J: food plants/under 45 years old, K: food plants/46&+years old, L: food plants/men (/: used by). 1: vira.vira, 2: doradilla, 3: peperina, 4: cola de quirquincho, 5: suico, 6: canchalagua, 7: uvita, 8: quimpe, 9: duraznillo, 10: tomillo, 11: pan de cata, 12: quebracho flojo, 13: ucle, 14: tuna, 15: tusca, 16: mistol, 17: chañar, 18: algarrobo, 19: tilo, 20: poleo, 21: ruda, 22: menta, 23: albahaca, 24: cepa-caballo, 25: manzanilla (scientific names in text and in Table 1). Black circle - Communities Grey square - Species Black square - Socio-cultural factors.