State of Amazon. Biodiversity management and loss of traditional knowledge in the largest forest

Approximately 183 ethnic human groups have been reported as being native inhabitants of the Amazon but an unknown number has disappeared since contact was made in the XV century. 90,000 plants and possibly 2-10 million species of animals, especially small invertebrates, live in the largest tropical forest and savannah complex in the world. The majority of these still needs to be described and some are only known to the local peoples. It has been argued that most of these species will remain unknown and under-appreciated due to the rate at which the forest is being destroyed and the scarcity of support for projects and peoples involved in such an enormous effort (ecologists, taxonomists, ethno-biologists). Deforestation has been calculated as being the main cause of decline in tropical biodiversity but the destruction of native cultures and their associated unwritten experiences is the greatest problem and our greatest loss. The measure of Amazonian biodiversity is far from being understood. The understanding of these resources has been in the hands of the local peoples and this knowledge is based on approximately 11,000 years’ experience built up since the time of the probable first colonization of South America. The Amerindian experiences accumulated in the Alto Orinoco Region within different ethnic groups will be discussed. The wealth and meaning of local biodiversity knowledge among different ethnic groups, the loss of knowledge, the way in which existing knowledge could be safeguarded and preserved will be discussed. What is edible among plants and small animals (semi-domesticates and minilivestock) and strategies developed to select the best available food will be also considered .