Saberes locales y frutos comestibles de plantas nativas en la Comarca Andina del Paralelo 42° (Patagonia, Argentina)

Abstract

The “Comarca Andina del Paralelo 42°” (Andean Country of the Parallel 42° – CAP 42°) is located in the Andean Patagonia Forest Matrix where native edible fruits were used from historical times there are not studies in this regard. In this first ethnobotanical approach, we document local knowledge and practice about this wild resource. We interviewed (semi-structured interviews, open and participant observation) to 22 rural settlers of two areas in CAP 42°: El Desemboque (El Hoyo) y Río Turbio (Parque Nacional Lago Puelo, Parque Provincial y Reserva Forestal Río Turbio). We recorded 12 native and three exotic wild plants with edible fruits. Aristotelia chilensis (maqui), Berberis microphylla (calafate) y Ugni molinae (murta) were the native species with the highest number of citation. Taken into account used species richness and use multiplicity of each in past and present times all the native species are less used than in past generation. Social and ecological transformation would explain this use change on native flora. The “maqui” is the only native species currently marketed by interviewed. Nevertheless in the study area its commercial use does not seem to be an extended practice. The interviewed recognize the maqui`s recent demand by national and international market. We suggest: a) carrying out ethnobotanical assessments in different areas of the CAP 42° to evaluate the “maqui” local valuation and the market associated with this resource; b) ecological research to assessment the impact of harvesting on the dynamic and production of wild usefull species (specially for maqui); and c) selection and cultivation trials for species valued and demanded by the market.