Knowledge and use of the timber flora by local experts from the agreste region of Sergipe

Abstract

This work presents
a study about use and knowledge of the flora in forest fragments used by local experts from communities in the agreste
region of Sergipe. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, performance-guided tours, and by harvesting
plants for the floristic inventory. The timber species were classified into four categories according to the use given by the
31 local experts interviewed: fuel, wood, construction and other. A total of 126 species, 95 genera and 38 families were
identified; 84% of them are native to the Atlantic Forest and 16% exotic. The fuel category presented the largest number
of records, with 120 species, representing 95% of all records, divided into subcategories: flour (with 76 species used),
household use (48), and commercial (4). Under construction, 62 species were cited; amongst which, 49 belong to the
subcategory building construction, being used as parts, rafters and joists, and 23 species fit in the subcategory rural
construction, being used in corrals or pens, fences and gates. Under technology, 48 species were cited, divided into four
subcategories: utensils (26), transport (3), tools (11) and other technologies (16). In the category ‘other uses’, two species
were used as ornamentals and one in cultural use. The experts provided a broad knowledge about the use of timber species
and use selective criteria, such as quality, weight, smell, seasonality and religious aspects.