Use of wild fauna and flora in the community of Duyusupo and El Jocote, Choluteca, Honduras

Abstract

The exploitation of wild fauna and flora has been executed in a parallel way to the origins and development of human beings. However, its utilization produces an impact in these wild populations. This preliminary study was developed in El Jocote and Duyusupo communities located in the Multiple Area Use La Botija Mountain (AUMLB, by its spanish translation), in San Marcos de Colón Biosphere Reserve. This study makes a first approach with the population of these communities, for trying to identify the fauna and flora species, using as reference the common names that local population use for recognize them. And also for identifying the use that is given to wildlife in these communities. A non-probabilistic sampling design for convenience with 16 semi-structured interviews was implemented and developed in 6 hours. The species were distributed into 8 categories of use: consumption, sport hunting, tourist relevance, pets, problematic, cultural, ornamental, and medicinal. Among the main results we can highlight the use of 43 species of wild fauna and 12 species of flora. The species of fauna mostly used are mammals (44.19%), followed by birds (25.58%). 65% of the species were considered problematic, and consumption the second most represented (28%). Regarding flora, 62.5% was considered as consumption, followed by ornamental (25%). It should be noted that the inhabitants of both communities have identified some important species for them, with cultural and touristic potential, amongst others. However we need to continue this study for identifying the right species, their correct scientific name, and the use that is given by the local populations of these
communities.