Conservação biocultural de Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg: contribuições ecológicas, socioeconômicas e comportamentais

Abstract

Wild Food Plants (WFP) have great potential for human consumption, yet they are underutilized, particularly in urban areas. This results in less diversified diets and erosion of knowledge about these plants, notably in these locations. However, they offer nutritional, ecological, and social benefits. So, to harness this potential, this research sought, through an interdisciplinary approach, to provide theoretical and applied foundations to promote the biocultural conservation of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) O. Berg (cambuí). This thesis comprises three chapters. Chapter 1 is anchored in ethnobiology and ecology, exploring the sustainability of species collection, and the following two chapters focus on consumer psychology, exploring the relationship between extrinsic cues, expectations, and willingness to consume. The thesis encompassed harvesters and potential cambuí consumers as the target audience. In the first article, we assessed the population structure of cambuí in Piaçabuçu (AL) and identified, based on local perception, collection areas, availability history, causes of decline, and possible solutions. The results indicate that cambuí fruit harvesting is at the threshold between being sustainable and unsustainable. Additionally, deforestation and wildfires contribute to the decrease in individual abundance. In Chapter 2, using a national sample, we sought to understand whether the terminological association of a WFP-based juice with a conventional fruit or forest environments influences potential consumers' expectations. In Chapter 3, we focused on the metropolitan region of Alagoas to better understand the local context and investigate consumers' expectations and perceptions regarding cambuí-based products. We tested whether gastronomic association (through mixtures) of WFP-based juices with conventional juices influences expectations and acceptance, as well as testing the terminological influence assessed in Chapter 2. The results of Chapters 2 and 3 suggest that, in some cases, the names assigned to products interfere with expectations or acceptance. For example, the terminological association of a product with forest environments (names with woods or forest suffixes) can generate negative taste expectations among more neophobic individuals. Additionally, Chapter 3 showed that gastronomic mixtures enhance product acceptance. Thus, there is ample potential to increase interest in cambuí by introducing it into mixtures with conventional fruits and through marketing strategies focusing on the role of extrinsic cues. However, these strategies should be accompanied by sustainable management plans, considering the identified threats to the species. Product processing to reach new markets can be an economically and environmentally viable strategy, as it focuses on value addition rather than increasing collection. In this context, it is interesting that in marketing, the product is associated with a popularly known product to familiarize it with new consumers.