Local ecological knowledge of forage plants for goat farming and perceptions about pollination of tree species in the arid Chaco

Abstract

Local ecological knowledge (LEK) of forage resources available in the forest is crucial in the sustainability of extensive grazing systems in the arid Chaco region. Here, we document goat farming management strategies of local peasants, assess their LEK about forage plants and evaluate the local perception related to pollination of native tree species. We used semi-structured interviews to obtain ethnoecological information and a cognitive approach to inquire about the plant species considered as fodder and their relative importance. Peasants listed a total of 48 ethnospecies (60 species from 23 botanical families) used as fodder. The most important forage plants in our study were Neltuma spp., Sarcomphalus mistol and Castela coccinea, which provide high quality fruits and also leaves as forage at different moments of the year. Local producers did not identify pollination as a key factor for the production of forage fruits, but they did emphasize the importance of climatic factors for fruit production. This ethnoecological information related to forage plants and factors that determine fruit production is important to understand peasant management systems that sustain local communities and play an important role in forest persistence.