Ethno-knowledge and perception of the fishing people of Ponta do Tubarão Reserve on the mangrove ecosystem

Abstract

The preservation of traditional uses of mangrove is maintained in the fishing communities of the Ponta do Tubarão Sustainable Development Reserve (Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável RDS), located in Rio Grande do Norte State. These communities have a history of combat against the predatory actions of the mangrove and the creation of the reserve started from the population itself. This study aimed to investigate the environmental perception of the fishing communities of Ponta do Tubarão RDS with respect to the mangroves in a biological, ecological and social perspective as well as evaluate the influence of the reserve in the mangrove conservation and quality life. Data were collected through direct observation, and opened and semi-structured interviews (n = 262). The content analysis found the interviewed persons have a strong sense of topophilia with mangroves, have a high dependence on its resources and have a good understanding of its ecological and biological functions. The reserve has a good performance in term of mangrove conservation, however, there is a need to outline strategies to conciliate both the biological and cultural conservation.