Urban Agroforestry Backyards and their Role in Transmitting Knowledge about Medicinal Plants in Marajó Island, Pará, Brazil

Abstract

Ethnobiological studies can be divided into fields to better encompass various biotic phenomena. This study lies within the field of ethnopharmacology, from the perspective of urban agro-ecosystems. It was carried out in urban backyards in the municipality of Soure, Ilha do Marajó, Pará. Interviews were conducted with the aid of forms in order to survey socioeconomic aspects and the characteristics of the backyards, as well as to identify the plant species used for medicinal purposes in the communities. Whenever possible, guided tours were also carried out to collect biological material. The data were tabulated in spreadsheets, and the collected plants were identified to determine their scientific names, herborized, and deposited in the Marlene Freitas da Silva (MFS) herbarium of Universidade do Estado do Pará. Interviews were conducted with 80 participants, mostly women aged 40-80 years, of low income, with schooling up to elementary education. A total of 67 species were identified, and different plants were mentioned in each neighborhood. The knowledge transmission route was predominantly vertical, from one generation to another within the same family. Regarding the criteria for the selection of plants, appearance was more frequently mentioned by the interviewees. This study highlights the importance of backyards as spaces for the conservation of biodiversity and culture, as well as for maintaining traditional health and food safety practices. It is concluded that it is essential to strengthen institutional support to value and preserve these spaces, in addition to promoting the integration between traditional knowledge and environmental conservation and sustainable development practices.