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Ethnobotanical Heritage and Flora Conservation in the Barroso Ecoregion: Sustaining Traditions in Transboundary areas
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Resumo(s)
The Barroso region, located in northern Portugal near the Portugal-Spain border and adjacent to Galicia, is recognized for its rich ethnobotanical heritage, with around 100 plant species utilized for medicinal, culinary, and agricultural purposes. Part of the Eurosiberian Region, specifically the Cantabro-Atlantic Province, the region’s flora is dominated by the families Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae, which together account for a significant portion of the cataloged species—Asteraceae making up 25%, Fabaceae 18%, and Poaceae 15%. These families are integral to the region’s traditional knowledge and practic es, and are used for their medicinal properties, Fabaceae species like Medicago and Trifolium for agricultural practices, and Poaceae species like Agrostis, Arrhenatherum, Poa and Festuca contributing to pasture and meadow ecosystems. Despite this botanical richness, several species face significant conservation threats, including Pinus sylvestris (EN), Valeriana o ici nalis subsp. o icinalis (EN), Sorbus aria (CR), Polygonum bistorta (CR), Selinum broteri (VU), Arnica montana subsp. atlantica (NT), and Veronica micrantha (NT). The border with Galicia hosts populations of some of the most endangered species of the Iberian northwest, such as Klasea legionensis (CR) or Thymelaea broteriana (EN), which have one of their main threats in the massive human depopulation and the loss of traditional management knowledge that a ects this mountain border area. Additionally, the region harbors some of Portugal’s best-preserved yew woodlands (habitat 9580), and large areas of mixed Quercus pyrenaica and Q. orocantabrica forests (habitat 9230), riparian Betula celtiberica woodlands (habitat 91E0) and hay-meadows (habitat 6510). Half of the territory’s surface consists of communal property, covered by a diverse mosaic of mountain mesic heathland (habitat 4030), humid heathlands (habitat 4010 and 4020), perennial herbaceous grassland (including Nardus stricta grassland, habitat 6230) and minerotrophic mires (habitat 7140). This complex landscape is main tained through a traditional grazing system featuring the Barrosã cow, an indigenous bovine breed. Empirical knowledge surrounding these species is deeply embedded in the cultural identity of local communities. However, habitat degradation and the decline of traditional agricultural and pastoral practices threaten both biodiversity and the preservation of ethnobotanical knowledge. Barroso is currently the Portuguese region with the highest number of fire ignitions and the highest ratio of annual wildfire area to total area. Conservation e orts are essential to sustain Barroso’s distinctive landscapes and habitats, including oak forests, high-altitude meadows, heathlands and mires, which support a range of endemic and endangered species. Geobotanical studies highlight the importance of specific plant communities in maintaining ecological balance and cultural heritage. The traditional land-use practices of northern Portuguese mountainsplay a crucial role in conserving these habitats. Traditional (indigenous) fire practices or, its substitute, o icial prescribed fires, and the maintenance of hay meadows (Habitat 6510) are critical for the preservation of peripheral habitats, including oak and birch woodlands and peatlands. These culturally rooted systems integrate traditional knowledge with modern conservation approaches, enhancing biodiversity, reducing wildfire risks, and preserving the cultural landscapes that define Barroso.The Barroso-Galicia transboundary region exemplifies a complex interplay between ethnobotanical richness and conservation challenges. A comprehensive understanding of the area’s biogeographical and cultural characteristics, combined with sustainable management practices, is essential to address these issues e ectively and secure the long-term preservation of biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Etnobotânica Barroso Flora de Portugal Conservação da biodiversidade
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Andrade, C.; Alves, Paulo; Serrano, M; Pacheco, G.; Aguiar, Carlos; Vila-Viçosa, Carlos (2025). Ethnobotanical Heritage and Flora Conservation in the Barroso Ecoregion: Sustaining Traditions in Transboundary áreas. In 5th Mediterranean Plant Conservation Week (5MPCW). Limassol
Editora
5th Mediterranean Plant Conservation Week