Uso de plantas medicinais na RESEX Marinha Mestre Lucindo: uma forma de diversificar a atividade extrativista local?

Abstract

Extractive Reserves (RESEX) are one of 12 categories of the National System of Conservation Units (NSCU) created in 2000, they belong to the group of Sustainable Use Units and have the basic purpose to protect livelihoods and the associated culture of extractivist communities, and ensure the sustainable use of the unit's natural resources. The Marine RESEX are located in transitional areas between marine and terrestrial environment, where the mangrove ecosystem prevails, the creation of these reserves seeks to protect them from anthropic degradation, stimulating the sustainable use of natural resources, and protecting the local biodiversity. The present work analyzes the use of medicinal plants by users of the Mestre Lucindo Marine Extractivist Reserve, seeking to shape it as an additional local extractive activity in order to provide a complementary source of income for the community. The research was developed as a case study with qualitative and quantitative methodology. The data were collected through semi- structured interviews and Rapid Participatory Diagnosis, carried out during community meetings, with prior consent via an Informed Consent Term and Authorization Term for Testimony and Image Use . The survey included residents from the communities of Boa Esperança, Camará, Guarajubal, Livramento and Sossego (a neighborhood located in the district of Marudanópolis), and with the main members of the unit management, representative of the managing body (ICMBio) of the Reserve (AUREMLUC). The data informed by the participants of the communities were used for their socioeconomic characterization and ethnopharmaceutical profile definition. Seventy-four percent of the participants are female, ranging in age from 18 to 92 years. The mean age of women is 42.6 years and for men 65.4 years. The main income source varies according to the community, and 69% of the respondents receive government aid Bolsa Família. Regarding the use of medicinal plants, the interviewees cited 69 different species, distributed in, at least, 32 botanical families. The use allegation is very wide and the usage form is diverse, including teas, bath and garrafadas. Most interviewees have learned to use medicinal plants with their mothers or grandparents and do not see this as a source of income for the family. Due to the anthropogenic deforestation and mismanagement of resources, several species are becoming scarce or very dispersed. In order to minimize the identified problems, a report was prepared on the main medicinal plants found in the area and also a proposal to restore the medicinal flora in RESEX communities. This document was sent to the managing office, ICMBio.