Um estudo da diversidade botânica e padrões de uso das plantas de Chificundzi

Abstract

The present degree work on Botanical Diversity and patterns of use of Chificundzi plants (District of Marracuene), was carried out from January to May 1996.

The work consisted in determining the botanical diversity of plant species of Chificundzi and their applications for purposes such as food, construction, wood fuel, medicine and other uses such as domestic utensils, wood and ornamentation.

To determine the botanical diversity of Chificundzi, determinations of specific composition, density and frequency of the different species were made. A total of 35 grid cells were plotted in 5 randomly selected areas, each area having 7 grid cells. Surveys were carried out with 15 randomly chosen families in order to obtain information about existing resources, uses and traditional conservation practices. The determination of preferences for each use was also carried out using the Participative Rural Diagnostic (PRA) method. A total of 93 species of mostly woody plants were identified, of which the species Eugenia capensis, Hymenocardia ulmoides, Strychnos madagascariensis, Psydrax locuples, Ochna barbosae, account for about half the number of individuals identified in Chiificundzi. The grouped uses are food plants (21 species); species used with building materials (27 species); species used as fuel wood (18 species); plants used as medicine (32 species) and those used for purposes such as household utensils, wood and ornamentation (21 species). Some of the identified species had multiple uses. Traditional practices guide the use of certain species such as Sclerocarya birrea used in traditional rituals. Native plant species play a preponderant role in the lives of the inhabitants of Chiificundzi for their multiple uses as well as a source of survival in periods of drought. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)