Serviços ecossistêmicos culturais no semiárido potiguar: estudo de caso na comunidade Inês Velha, zona rural de Caicó (RN)

Abstract

The present work aimed to identify and classify the cultural ecosystem services that are provided by the Inês Velha community, rural area of Caicó/RN. The methodological steps of the research consisted of analyzing the literature on ecosystem services and the use of natural resources by the population, with a focus on the Brazilian semiarid region, identification (in situ) and classification of cultural services provided by the Caatinga using methodology of the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services – CICES, v. 5.1. Cultural ecosystem services were identified, such as leisure and entertainment, traditional knowledge such as the medicinal use of plants and animals, contemplation of landscapes with scenic beauty and use of species such as broom and purple pine by community healers and healers. Finally, the research showed the importance of identifying and classifying cultural ecosystem services in the community providing knowledge with historical and cultural significance for the community.