CONFLICTS BETWEEN USES AND PROTECTION OF VEGETABLE SPECIES IN THE PROTECTED AREAS OF SERRA DE SÃO JOSÉ, MINAS GERAIS

Abstract

Protection Area Serra de São José and the State Refuge of Wildlife Libélulas of Serra de São José, located in the region of Tiradentes-Minas Gerais present important biological diversity for conservation distributed in three phytophysiognomies: Cerrado, Semideciduous Seasonal Forest and Rupestres Fields. In addition to legally protecting the natural heritage, they also shelter “raizeiros” that have knowledge and practices about the use of plant species extracted within the limits of the mentioned areas. Aiming to understand the conflicts established in the relationship between the conservation and the use of plant species, ethnobotanical surveys were conducted through guided tours in three tracks used by the two “raizeiros”, and a semistructured questionnaire was used in order to indicated the species used both in past and presente, and also the employed parts. It was concluded that the existing conflicts are due to the extraction of biological resources in the Conservation Unit of integral protection. However, they can contribute to the conservation of the biodiversity of the Serra de São José Protected Areas concomitantly with the ethnobotany one, and the effective participation of the “raizeiros”.