Management of Wild Edible Fungi in the Meseta Purépecha Region, Michoacán, México

Ethnoecology is the study of the relationship between humans and their environments and components, including fungi. México is an exceptional setting for studying the interactions between humans and fungi, since most of the native cultures have interacted with these organisms for thousands of years. The state of Michoacán is particularly relevant, since nearly 11% of the fungi species recorded in Mexico occur there, 139 of which are edible. The aim of this study was to analyze the interactions of the Purépecha native communities with edible fungi and their environment, the position of mushrooms in the local worldview, and the classification system, management forms, and social and environmental problems associated with their use. Semi-structured interviews at regional markets were conducted. We conducted participant observation, proof interviews in harvesting areas, and workshops with the communities. Ethnoecological information was recorded for 21 edible fungi species and the environments where people interact with these mushrooms. People called hongueros (fungi handlers) identified the following environmental problems: A loss of local knowledge, a decreasing consumption of fungi among young people, land-use changes, the illegal extraction of forest resources, deforestation, unplanned urban growth, uncontrolled fires, livestock raising, and agricultural intensification. These issues affect fungi diversity, distribution, and abundance. All these factors, in turn, affect decreasing economic incomes associated with this activity and changes in the diets of the local people. Information from this study will help local authorities and people of the community to design management strategies for maintaining the environment and fungi, strategies which aim to contribute to the sustainable use of both fungi and forests.

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Management of Wild Edible Fungi in the Meseta Purépecha, Mexico

10.20944/preprints201807.0190.v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Eva Itzel Castro-Sánchez ◽

Ana Isabel Moreno-Calles ◽

Sue Meneses-Eternod ◽

Berenice Farfán-Heredia ◽

José Blancas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use Changes ◽

Taxonomic Diversity ◽

Environmental Problems ◽

Design Strategies ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Edible Fungi ◽

Regional Markets ◽

Alnus Acuminata ◽

Wild Edible Fungi ◽

Species Being

Mexico is an exceptional setting for ethnomycology since human cultures have interacted with fungi for thousands of years; the state of Michoacán is particularly important since nearly 11% of the fungi species recorded in Mexico occur there, 139 species being edible. This study aimed to analyze the taxonomic diversity and use forms of fungi, their position in worldview of people, and the management forms practiced on edible fungi in the Purépecha communities of Cherán and Pichátaro and the environmental problems in relationship with fungi management. We conducted semi-structured interviews during visits to regional markets, participant observations in harvesting areas, workshops, and presentation of results to the communities and communal authorities. We recorded ethnoecological information for 21 edible fungi species. The words jongo and terekua correspond to useful fungi in Purépecha, while jeramba refers to not edible fungi. In Cherán people identify different vegetation types where mushrooms occur; they recognize the “pinadas forest” dominated by Pinus leiophylla, “encineras” (dominated by Quercus crassipes), “tepamu forest” (dominated by Alnus acuminata), “sharhari forest” (Quercus aff. laeta), and grasslands, all of them sites where mushrooms grow. Fungi handlers identified environmental problems like land use changes, illegal extraction of forest resources, deforestation, unplanned urban growth, uncontrolled fires, livestock raising, and agricultural intensification, which affect fungi communities. In turn, these factors have secondary consequences like soil erosion, reduction of native vegetation and reduction of rainwater retention that directly disturb diversity, distribution, and abundance of fungi. Information from this study and workshops conducted with the community helped to design strategies for conservation of both forests and fungi.

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Maya K’iche’ Food Groups and Implications for Guatemalan Food Guidelines

Food and Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1177/0379572120912161 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 261-274

Author(s):

Miguel Cuj ◽

Mareike Sattler ◽

Sasha de Beausset

Keyword(s):

Cultural Context ◽

Participant Observation ◽

Cognitive Structure ◽

Food Groups ◽

Health Food ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Native Communities ◽

Indigenous Groups ◽

Food And Nutrition ◽

Compare And Contrast

The anthropology of linguistics, food, and nutrition sciences has a key role with regard to taking a critical look at the Guatemalan Food Guidelines (GFG). These GFG are communicated to native communities to interpret their eating patterns and the structural cognitive interpretation of these food groups in a cultural context. Our understanding of food is informed by cognitive structure represented by language. Since food is fundamental in human cultural identities, understanding food and food categories from the perspective of Mayan indigenous groups should be a fundamental pillar of health, food, and nutrition. The purpose of this research was to explore the GFG and compare them to K’iche’ understandings of food groups in terms of cognitive structural similarities and differences. The research was carried out in the field by way of semi-structured interviews and participant observation among K’iche’ Mayan families in Nahualá (Western Guatemala) to compare and contrast data collected on K'iche' food groups and corresponding cognitive structure with previously published findings on the GFG. These findings were confirmed through fieldwork, though some of the nuances of subcategories have changed, and significant stress was placed on 2 food groups: wa (corn-based food) and ri’kil (non-corn-based food). The research concludes that the cognitive structure and understanding of food groups and their uses communicated through K’iche’ language differ significantly from the hierarchical, technical description of food groups communicated through the GFG. In order to strengthen public health approaches to food and nutrition, indigenous knowledge must be respected, learned, and integrated into GFG.

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Peregrinação Acadêmica: A mulher Romeira do Bom Jesus da Lapa

10.31012/978-65-86854-04-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sandra Célia Coelho Gomes da Silva

Keyword(s):

Gender Identity ◽

Social Reproduction ◽

Participant Observation ◽

Female Gender ◽

Age Group ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

The West ◽

Patriarchal Family ◽

The Family ◽

West Part

This work is the result of the doctoral thesis entitled Pilgrimage of Bom Jesus da Lapa: Social Reproduction of the Family and Female Gender Identity, specifically the second chapter that talks about women in the Pilgrimage of Bom Jesus da Lapa, emphasizing gender relations, analyzing the location of the pilgrimage as a social reproduction of the patriarchal family and female gender identity. The research scenario is the Bom Jesus da Lapa Pilgrimage, which has been held for 329 years, in that city, located in the West part of Bahia. The research participants are pilgrim women who are in the age group between 50 and 70 years old and have participated, for more than five consecutive years in the Bom Jesus da Lapa Pilgrimage, belonging to five Brazilian states (Bahia, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Espírito Santo and Goiás) that register a higher frequency of attendance at this religious event. We used bibliographic, qualitative, field and documentary research and data collection as our methodology; we applied participant observation and semi-structured interviews as a technique. We concluded that the Bom Jesus da Lapa Pilgrimage is a location for family social reproduction and the female gender identity, observing a contrast in the resignification of the role and in the profile of the pilgrim women from Bom Jesus da Lapa, alternating between permanence and the transformation of gender identity coming from patriarchy.

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TOURISM MOBILITY AT THE SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES RIO 2016

Event Management ◽

10.3727/152599519x15506259856624 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Amanda Cabral ◽

Carolin Lusby ◽

Ricardo Uvinha

Keyword(s):

Olympic Games ◽

Participant Observation ◽

Field Research ◽

Bus Rapid Transit ◽

Rapid Transit ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Tourist Attractions ◽

Official Sources ◽

The Relationship ◽

The City

Sports Tourism as a segment is growing exponentially in Brazil. The sports mega-events that occurred in the period from 2007 to 2016 helped strengthen this sector significantly. This article examined tourism mobility during the Summer Olympic Games Rio 2016, hosted by the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This study expands the understanding of the relationship between tourism and city infrastructure, therefore being relevant to academics, professionals of the area and to the whole society due to its multidisciplinary field. The existence of a relationship between means of transportation and the Olympic regions as well as tourist attractions for a possible legacy was observed. Data were collected from official sources, field research and through participant-observation and semi structured interviews. Data were coded and analyzed. The results indicate that the city was overall successful in its execution of sufficient mobility. New means of transportation were added and others updated. BRT's (Bus Rapid Transit) were the main use of mass transport to Olympic sites. However, a lack of public transport access was observed for the touristic sites.

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Linking Conservation, Community Knowledge, and Adaptation to Extreme Climatic Events: A Case Study in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13116478 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 6478

Author(s):

Amemarlita Matos ◽

Laura Barraza ◽

Isabel Ruiz-Mallén

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Animal Species ◽

Human Life ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Forest Products ◽

Buffer Zone ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Extreme Climatic Events ◽

Water Provision

This study is based on ethnographic research that analyzes how traditional knowledge and local beliefs on biodiversity conservation relates to the local ability to adapt and be resilient to climatic changes in two communities around Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique: Nhanfisse in the buffer zone and Muanandimae in the core area. A total of 78 semi-structured interviews with heads of households were conducted. We found that both communities carried out practices and held beliefs associated with conservation, such as protecting trees and animal species considered sacred or perceived as beneficial for human life in terms of water provision and agricultural production. In addition to traditional ceremonies that respond to extreme climatic events such as drought and flood, other adaptation strategies used by the communities include moving to neighboring areas in search of better living conditions and using forest products in times of scarcity. We discuss that the management of the park should be agreed on, in a shared way, between local communities and conservation agents to ensure that these areas continue to perform the ecological, subsistence, and spiritual functions required. Our research results contribute to a better understanding of local adaptation dynamics towards extreme climatic events and improvement of management strategies.

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Changes in Coastal Agricultural Land Use in Response to Climate Change: An Assessment Using Satellite Remote Sensing and Household Survey Data in Tien Hai District, Thai Binh Province, Vietnam

Land ◽

10.3390/land10060627 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 627

Author(s):

Duong H. Nong ◽

An T. Ngo ◽

Hoa P. T. Nguyen ◽

Thuy T. Nguyen ◽

Lan T. Nguyen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Land Use ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Land Use Changes ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Household Survey ◽

Extreme Weather Events ◽

Agricultural Land Use ◽

Landsat 8 ◽

Land Uses

We analyzed the agricultural land-use changes in the coastal areas of Tien Hai district, Thai Binh province, in 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020, using Landsat 5 and Landsat 8 data. We used the object-oriented classification method with the maximum likelihood algorithm to classify six types of land uses. The series of land-use maps we produced had an overall accuracy of more than 80%. We then conducted a spatial analysis of the 5-year land-use change using ArcGIS software. In addition, we surveyed 150 farm households using a structured questionnaire regarding the impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity and land uses, as well as farmers’ adaptation and responses. The results showed that from 2005 to 2020, cropland decreased, while aquaculture land and forest land increased. We observed that the most remarkable decreases were in the area of rice (485.58 ha), the area of perennial crops (109.7 ha), and the area of non-agricultural land (747.35 ha). The area of land used for aquaculture and forest increased by 566.88 ha and 772.60 ha, respectively. We found that the manifestations of climate change, such as extreme weather events, saltwater intrusion, drought, and floods, have had a profound impact on agricultural production and land uses in the district, especially for annual crops and aquaculture. The results provide useful information for state authorities to design land-management strategies and solutions that are economic and effective in adapting to climate change.

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Overcoming the barriers of mobile health that hamper sustainability in low-resource environments

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1007/s10389-021-01536-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maike Greve ◽

Alfred Benedikt Brendel ◽

Nils van Osten ◽

Lutz M. Kolbe

Keyword(s):

Mobile Health ◽

Process Model ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Health Coverage ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Theoretical Contribution ◽

Low Resource ◽

Response Strategies ◽

Sustainable Implementation

Abstract Aim This research aims to identify response strategies that non-profit organizations (NPOs) can apply to overcome the barriers that hamper the sustainable use of mobile health (mHealth) interventions in low-resource environments (LREs), such as in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Subject and method A qualitative study on mHealth initiatives in SSA is conducted through semi-structured interviews with 15 key informants of NPOs that operate and manage mHealth interventions in this region. The interviews focus on identifying existing barriers and response strategies that NPOs apply to enable sustainable and long-term running interventions. Results Building on grounded theory techniques, the collected data guided us towards a process model that identifies four aggregated categories of challenging areas that require response strategies (economy, environment, technology, and user acceptance). Conclusion This study provides contributions from and implications for NPOs and researchers. Health practitioners are provided with a knowledge base of what barriers to expect and how to overcome them, to strive for sustainable implementation from the very beginning of an intervention. A process model is identified that structures the response strategies in a time-based agenda of mHealth initiatives and thus makes a theoretical contribution. Overall, this study addresses the need for a theoretical consideration of the “pilotitis” phenomenon, which currently hampers the sustainable implementation and scaling up of mHealth initiatives. While the focus is specifically on mHealth initiatives, the overall findings help prevent discontinuance of projects in the future after the pilot, and help facilitate LREs on their way to sustainable health interventions and universal health coverage.

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Farmers’ and Herders’ Perceptions on Rangeland Management in Two Agroecological Zones of Benin

Land ◽

10.3390/land10040425 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 425

Author(s):

Rodrigue Vivien Cao Diogo ◽

Luc Hippolyte Dossa ◽

Sèyi Fridaïus Ulrich Vanvanhossou ◽

Badirou Dine Abdoulaye ◽

Kossi Hélliot Dosseh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Resources ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Negative Attitude ◽

Rangeland Management ◽

Mineral Fertilization ◽

The North ◽

Unused Land ◽

Agroecological Zones ◽

Sound Management

The sustainable use of rangelands in pastoral areas requires the inclusion of all stakeholders to develop sound management strategies. However, the role of these actors in the sustainable management of natural resources is still poorly understood. The present study aims to (i) assess the perception of farmers and herders of the risks and opportunities of transhumance on rangeland resource use and management, and to (ii) generate useful knowledge for the design and implementation of policies that favor the coexistence of these actors and reduce competition over rangeland resources use in Benin. To this end, interviews were conducted with 240 crop farmers and herders using a semi-structured questionnaire in two contrasting agroecological zones in the northern (Kandi) and the southern (Kétou) part of the country. Among the respondents, 64% of farmers in the North were agro-pastoralists (owning 10.6 ha of land and 10.7 cattle) and 36% were herders (keeping 45.8 cattle and cultivating about 3.7 ha of land). They perceived that communal rangelands were entirely degraded. In the South, 36% of respondents were agro-pastoralists (with 0.3 cattle and farming 4 ha of land) and 64% cattle herders (raising 45.3 cattle and farming 0.9 ha of land only). Of the herders, 50% kept cattle for more than 20 years, while agro-pastoralists had no previous experience in cattle herding. Cultivation practices among crop farmers, such as high use of mineral fertilization (23.8%) and bush fires for land clearing (22.5%), were reported in Kandi (North) and Kétou (South) as factors that might contribute to land degradation. However, these farmers perceived transhumance as a threat to the sustainable use of natural resources. In contrast, herders perceived transhumance as an opportunity to valorize unused land and increase the availability of manure to cropland. The prevalent negative attitude of crop farmers regarding transhumant herders increases the vulnerability of cattle herding in both regions. There is an urgent need of raising awareness concerning the mutual benefits provided by the coexistence of crop farmers with herders to promote participative rangeland management strategies. This may contribute towards coping with the current challenges of food insecurity and increasing climate variability as well as to reducing recurrent conflicts in the region.

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Young children’s information-seeking practices in center-based childcare

Journal of Librarianship and Information Science ◽

10.1177/0961000620962164 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096100062096216

Author(s):

Sarah Barriage

Keyword(s):

Young Children ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Day Care ◽

Participant Observation ◽

Photo Elicitation ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Information Practices ◽

The Usa ◽

Concept Of Information ◽

Classroom Resources

Many children in the USA spend a significant amount of time in center-based childcare. However, research has yet to explore their information practices in this setting. This study investigates young children’s perceptions of the concept of information and their own information-seeking practices within the context of their day care classroom. The participants included 13 children between three and five years of age. Data was collected using participant observation, semi-structured interviews, child-led photo tours, and photo-elicitation interviews. The findings indicate that the children did not perceive the concept of information in a manner consistent with adult understandings of the term, and that they engaged in information-seeking related to finding out new things on their own, through interactions with others, and through classroom resources, activities, and routines. The findings have implications for both researchers and practitioners working with young children.

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Anxiety in autistic individuals who speak few or no words: A qualitative study of parental experience and anxiety management

Autism ◽

10.1177/1362361320962366 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 136236132096236

Author(s):

Joanne Tarver ◽

Effie Pearson ◽

Georgina Edwards ◽

Aryana Shirazi ◽

Liana Potter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Intellectual Disability ◽

Language Use ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Verbal Language ◽

Parental Recognition

Anxiety is a common co-occurring condition in autism and impacts quality of life of autistic individuals and their families; autistic individuals who speak few or no words represent an under-researched group. This qualitative study aimed to understand more about parental recognition and management of anxiety in autistic individuals who speak few or no words. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents/carers of 17 autistic individuals (mage = 14.29) recruited from an existing participant database and social media adverts. Using thematic analysis, 15 themes were placed under three a-priori grand themes: parental recognition of anxiety; parental management of anxiety; and anxiety impact on the autistic individual and their family. Due to reduced verbal language use and overlap with other behaviours, parents described difficulties recognising anxiety in their child. However, they also described use of a number of management strategies, including some which overlap with components of evidence-based interventions for emotional and behavioural problems in autistic individuals (e.g. exposure/sensory calming). Despite this, parents reported that anxiety continues to have significant impact on quality of life. The findings of this study can help to inform the development of targeted intervention and assessment measures for anxiety in autistic individuals who speak few or no words. Lay abstract Anxiety is a common condition in autistic individuals, including those who also have an intellectual disability. Despite this, autistic individuals who have severe to profound intellectual disability, or use few or no words, are often excluded from autism research. There are also very few assessment tools and interventions with known effectiveness for autistic individuals with intellectual disability. In this study, we aimed to learn more about parent/carers experiences of recognising and managing anxiety in autistic individuals who use few or no words. We conducted semi-structured interviews with parents and carers to address three research questions: (1) what techniques and management strategies do parents describe for anxiety-related behaviour in their child; (2) how do communication difficulties impact parental understanding and management of anxiety provoking situations and behaviours; (3) what is the impact of anxiety-related behaviours on the quality of life of autistic individuals and their families? During the interviews, parents described difficulties recognising anxiety in their child, mostly due to reduced verbal language use and anxiety behaviours overlapping with other behaviours (e.g. autism characteristics). However, parents also described use of a number of management strategies, including some which overlap with components of evidence-based interventions for emotional and behavioural problems in autistic individuals (e.g. exposure/sensory calming). Despite this, parents reported that anxiety continues to have significant impact on quality of life. We will use the findings of this study to inform future research to develop assessment tools and interventions for anxiety in autistic individuals who use few or no words.

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