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Plant use knowledge of the Winikina Warao: The case for questionnaires in Ethnobotany

Conocimiento del uso de plantas de los winikina warao: el caso de cuestionarios en etnobotánica

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Abstract

A questionnaire was used to measure plant use knowledge for 18 plants from 40 randomly selected Winikina Warao respondents of two villages in the Orinoco River Delta, Venezuela. Five use values are presented: reported use (RU) value for each plant and plant part; plant part value (PPV); specific use (SU) value; intraspecific use value (IUV); and overall use value (OUV). The overall use value can be used to target plants of potential interest to researchers. Although certain precautions must be taken when undertaking this type of study, questionnaires are important tools that can be used to assess the dynamic interplay between people and the plants they use.

Resumen

Un cuestionario fue utilizado para medir el conocimiento de 18 plantas usadas por los Winikina Waroa del delta del rio Orinoco, Venezuela. Cinco valores de uso son presentados: valor de uso reportado (RU) para cada planta y parte de planta; valor de la parte de planta (PPV); valor de uso especifico (SU); y valor de uso total (OUV). El valor de uso total se puede utilizar para escoger plants de interés a investigadores. Aunque es necesario tomar ciertas precauciones para emprender un estudo de este tipo, cuestionarios son herramientas que se pueden utilizar para asesar la interacción dinmica que existe entre la gente y su uso de plantas.

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  1. Biology Department, Saint Martin’s College, 5300 Pacific Avenue SE, 98503-1297, Lacey, WA

    Alfredo Gomez-Beloz

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Gomez-Beloz, A. Plant use knowledge of the Winikina Warao: The case for questionnaires in Ethnobotany. Econ Bot 56, 231–241 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2002)056[0231:PUKOTW]2.0.CO;2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2002)056[0231:PUKOTW]2.0.CO;2

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