The overall assessment of knowledge produced and transmitted by a human group is set as ethnoscience field. This evaluation of information related to soils and its relation with natural resources, as well as strategies developed to production, are the scope of study from ethnopedology. Participatory methodologies which promote the inclusion of those directly involved are basic assumptions of ethnopedology. Areas of evaluation from ethnopedology studies are related, among other aspects, to nomenclatures for soil classification and management practices. The increasing ethnopedological development reveals soil importance recognition as a limited and essential resource for life and strengthens an important conservationist view to be considered in researches of soil science.
participatory methodologies; knowledge; farmers