Empirical knowledge of the community inhabitants near Cachoeirinha Municipal Park (Iporá, State of Goiás)

Abstract

The Cachoeirinha Municipal Park (C.M.P.) situated in the periphery of the Iporá, State of Goiás, is surrounded by a popular quarter and rural properties. Individuals who lived near C.M.P. area were interviewed to investigate their empirical knowledge on the availability of natural resources of the park. The 57 interviewed families showed no relation of subsistence with the park. They occasionally look for medicinal and ornamental plants and/or fruits from the riparian forest. They usually use it as leisure area, where they can fish for fun and food, among other activities. According to the inhabitants, there are about 41 animal species circulating in the limits of the park and of their homes. The survey questions measured in a reliable way (Cronbach Alpha = 0.54) the behavior and attitudes of the inhabitants around the C.M.P., revealing an environmental perception on the non-traditional communities.