The Cultural Value of Invasive Species: A Case Study from Semi-Arid Northeastern Brazil

• Published in: Economic botany 2014-09, Vol.68 (3), p.283-302
• Main Authors: dos Santos, Lucilene Lima, do Nascimento, André Luiz Borba, Vieira, Fabio José, da Silva, Valdeline Atanázio, Voeks, Robert, Albuquerque, Ulysses Paulino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animals; Anthropogenic factors; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedical technology; Case studies; Cultural values; Economic botany; Ethnobotany; Fodder; Forage; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Indigenous species; Introduced plants; Introduced species; Invasive plants; Invasive species; Life Sciences; Medicinal plants; Plant Anatomy/Development; Plant communities; Plant Ecology; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Plants
• ISSN: 0013-0001; 1874-9364
• DOI: 10.1007/s12231-014-9281-8

Invasive species are often considered the pariahs of the plant kingdom. In this study, we investigate the utility of native and exotic invasive plants to local residents in a semi-arid area of northeastern Brazil. We address the following questions: Are invasive species considered useful? How are they useful? Are they more or less useful than non-invasive species? Is there a relationship between use categories and taxonomic groups (families, genera, and species)? What plant parts are preferentially used and how are they distributed by categories of usage? And are there differences in the perceived usefulness of native vs. exotic invasive plants? We employed plot sampling of vegetation in anthropogenic habitats. Semi-structured, checklist interviews were carried out with 106 individuals. A total of 56 invasive species were recorded, of which 55 were considered useful. There was no statistical difference in the perceived utility of native vs. exotic invasive species; however, invasive species overall were considered useful more often than noninvasive species. The predominant use was as animal fodder, followed by medicine, food, and technology. Nearly half (44%) of the animal fodder species also served as medicine for people. Herbaceous plants were the most common. Uses varied significantly within taxonomic ranks (species, genus, and family). The most recognized plants were those that are most used locally. This study underscores the value of invasive species in semi-arid Brazil, as well as the need to include local people in regional and national strategies to address invasive species management. As especies invasoras são muitas vezes consideradas as parias do reino vegetal. Neste estudo, investigamos a utilidade de plantas invasoras nativas e exóticas para moradores locáis no semiárido nordestino do Brasil. Nos procuramos responderás seguintes questães: São as especies invasoras consideradas úteis? Como? São elas mais úteis que as especies nao invasoras? Existem relaçōes entre categorías de uso e os grupos taxonōmicos (familias, gêneros e especies)? Quais partes das plantas são preferencialmente usadas e como elas estäo distribuidas por categorías de uso? E existem diferenças na utilidade percebida entre plantas nativas e exóticas invasoras? Nos empregamos o método de parcelas para a amostragem de vegetaçao em ambientes antropogénicos. Entrevistas semi-estruturadas foram realizadas com 106 pessoas. Um total de 56 especies invasoras foram registradas, das qu