Ethnobotanical Study as Basis for the Elaboration of Management Plan of Forest Reserve Embrapa/Epagri (RFEE) in Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

This study was carried from 2007 to 2009 in order to generate a socio-economic and ethnobotanical profile of the Forest Reserve Embrapa/Epagri's (RFEE) surrounding communities and investigate their relationships with the forest reserve and natural resources within this important Mixed Ombrofile Atlantic Forest reminiscent. Total of 82 households were approached through a semi-structured interview, resulting in 2065 citations for the use of 166 native species by the locals. Araucaria angustifolia, Mimosa scabrella,Campomanesia xanthocarpa, andIlex paraguariensis were the most frequent species mentioned, while the main categories of use were respectively food, medicinal, ornamental and tools. The extensive use of leaves, trunks, fruits, boughs and roots indicates a potential for non-timber products exploitation. Regarding local communities’ relationships with the reserve, a vast majority recognized its local ecological and natural resource importance. These aspects must be considered as fundamental to generate innovative management strategies for the whole region, within ecological, social and economic spheres.