Traditional ecological knowledge versus the use of Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L.) in Quilombolas communities in the Amazon, Brazil

The research explores the difference in the values ​​of knowledge and the use of Buriti Palm (Mauritia flexuosa L.) by Quilombolas in the Amazon, through the Informant diversity value. The participation of 23 Quilombolas in the research occurred by applying, with previous allowance, structured and semi-structured interviews. The Informant diversity value of the knowledge is 4.65 of 23 and the use is 0.76. The values ​​are low when compared to other communities that use Buriti and other palms. The Quilombolas explain that the decrease of uses stems from the facility in acquiring industrial materials that replace the handcrafted and lack of interest in learning and willingness of those who know, to teach. The difference between knowledge and current use of Buriti indicates that this knowledge may be being lost locally, that can derail income alternatives and decrease the value of Buritizal in maintaining biodiversity.