Understanding Fire Through Ethnoecology in Brazil
Abstract
This study provides a detailed analysis of the historical context of fire management in Brazil from the perspective of ethnoecology. The study aims to identify traditional fire management practices in Brazil, examining their interactions with ethnoecology and their impacts on biodiversity conservation. The review adopted a systematic approach that began with the formulation of a clear research question: “What are the traditional fire management practices in Brazil from an ethnoecological perspective, and what are their impacts on biodiversity?” The results highlight the uneven distribution of studies across Brazilian biomes, with a greater concentration of research in the Cerrado and Amazon regions, while significant gaps were observed in other biomes such as the Atlantic Forest and Pantanal. Recent advances in research on fire management by traditional communities underscore the importance of local knowledge as an essential tool for the sustainable management of Brazilian ecosystems. Nevertheless, traditional fire management practices have historically been marginalized by public policies. This review emphasizes the need to more broadly integrate these practices into environmental management strategies, recognizing their significance for biodiversity conservation, landscape management, and cultural revitalization. Such integration is increasingly urgent given the growing threats to Brazil's biomes.
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