Preferences, perceptions and local knowledge of rural inhabitants of the middle section of the La Vieja River drainage a tributary of the Cauca River (Colombia), about 60 native species of trees, bushes and palms

Abstract

We studied the local knowledge and preferences of 160 inhabitants of La Vieja river basin on 60 native species of trees, shrubs and palms. During two years, we made extensive interviews based on photographs of all species, asked the people to identify the plants and asked questions on the habitat, growth rate and uses of each species. We also asked the interviewees if they would be willing to grow these species on their farms, where they would do so and what kind of external support they would need. Most interviewees recognized less than half of the species. The collective judgment of the relative growth rates is accurate and useful to guide restoration decisions. A high proportion of the people would be willing to plant many of species if they had access to seedlings. The preferred species for planting were Inga densiflora, I. edulis, Erythrina poeppigiana, Tecoma stans, Aniba sp. Nectandra turbacensis, Ocotea macropoda, O. helicterifolia, Senna spectabilis and Cedrela odorata. Grazing and riparian areas were the preferred places to plant native trees.

Keywords

• Biodiversidad
• Agropaisajes
• Reforestación
• Restauración ecológica
• Sistemas silvopastoriles
• Cuenca del río Magdalena