In rural communities of the Vale do Acu, inland of Rio Grande do Norte, investigated the knowledge and use of Copernicia prunifera (carnaúba), palm tree native to northeastern Brazil and of Prosopis juliflora (algaroba), legume intentionally introduced from Peru in the same region in the 1940s. We interviewed 74 residents of four communities established in the municipality of Carnaubais, citing the use of 142 plant species, native and introduced. Data were analyzed considering the age categories of respondents and the use of the plants mentioned by them. We evaluated the level of cultural significance of each species, which indicates its value to the biological and cultural survival of the community members. The uses cited by 59% of respondents to fall into the categories carnauba crafts, fuel and medical. The category that most contributes to the use of carnauba is the category construction (UDs Coper 0.72). The mesquite is used as fuel, and fodder, cited by 61% of respondents. It has been calculated, the value of the range of use, showing the fuel category (UDs Pros 0.37) is the largest contributor to the use of mesquite in rural communities. Although environmental unbalance caused by introduction, help on the livelihood of the communities studied and increased the repertoire of species supplying wood for firewood, charcoal and construction. The carnauba before widely used by the population has been replaced by other species and these are now the new sources of income for local people and knowledge of resources offered by it is gradually being lost by the Carnaubais residents.
Caatinga; Ethnobotany; Prosopis; Copernicia
