Abstract Detail

Recent Topics Posters

de Souza Cortez, Maria Beatriz [1], de Jesus, Nanci  [2], Rech, Andre [3], Soltis, Douglas [4], Soltis, Pamela [5].

Translating research to storytelling for children to conserve biocultural diversity in Brazil.

The sempre vivas, or “everlastings”, are herbaceous plant species that dominate the grassland landscape of the campos rupestres in Brazil and are included mainly in the families Eriocaulaceae, Poaceae, Xyridaceae, and Cyperaceae. These plants are sold as ornamentals because they retain their beauty long after their harvest; many of the Eriocaulaceae species possess unique papery inflorescences that are sought after for flower arrangements. Other parts of the sempre vivas are also commercialized with the scapes being traditionally woven into handicrafts, such as hats and costume jewelry. Since the late 1990s and early 2000s, many local communities that harvest the sempre vivas have been trying to coexist with protected areas established to restrict over-harvesting. However, the way in which protected areas are traditionally established frequently neglects the historical dependence between the livelihood of local communities and extraction of local flora, making this coexistence very challenging. This delicate balance brings forth the need to reassess our current conservation strategies while striving to establish practices that encompass the needs of all stakeholders involved, from local to global levels. With this motivation in mind, we developed an outreach project along with collaborators from a local community in Brazil that harvests sempre vivas. We invite you to read a passage from the book we wrote for children, Understanding nature: The strange case of the paper flowers, or the sempre vivas. The book broaches the topic of the complex interaction between local communities and protected areas while also emphasizing the importance of traditional ecological knowledge of local communities concerning sempre vivas species to the development of adequate conservation practices. We also developed an educational activity to accompany the book to help children reflect about these important concepts.

1 - University Of Florida, Florida Museum Of Natural History–Dickinson Hall, 1659 Museum Road, Room 357, Gainesville, FL, 32611, United States
2 - Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM) , Departamento de Engenharia Florestal, Campus JK, Road MGT 367 - Km 583, nº 5000., Diamantina, MG, 39100-000, Brazil
3 - Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM), Campus JK, Road MGT 367 - Km 583, nº 5000., Diamantina, MG, 39100-000, Brazil
4 - University of Florida, Florida Museum of Natural History, PO Box 117800, Gainesville, FL, 32611, United States
5 - University Of Florida, Florida Museum Of Natural History, PO Box 117800, Gainesville, FL, 32611, United States

Keywords:
biocultural diversity
conservation
outreach
protected areas
sempre vivas
Traditional ecological knowledge.

Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P1, Recent Topics Posters
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Thursday, July 22nd, 2021
Time: 5:00 PM(EDT)
Number: P1RT032
Abstract ID:1423
Candidate for Awards:None