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We explored a 320-km transect in the Tumucumaque mountain range along the border between southern French Guiana and Brazil, sampling all trees and lianas with DBH >= 10 cm in seven 25 x 25-m plots installed near seven boundary milestones. We isolated DNA from cambium tissue and sequenced two DNA barcodes (rbcLa and matK) to aid in species identification. We also collected fertile herbarium specimens from other species (trees/shrubs/herbs) inside and outside the plots. The selected DNA barcodes were useful at the family level but failed to identify specimens at the species level. Based on DNA barcoding identification, the most abundant families in the plots were Burseraceae, Fabaceae, Meliaceae, Moraceae, Myristicaceae and Sapotaceae. One third of the images of sampled plants posted on the iNaturalist website were identified by the community to species level. New approaches, including the sequencing of the ITS region and fast evolving DNA plastid regions, remain to be tested for their utility in the identification of specimens at lower taxonomic levels in floristic inventories in the Amazon region., Um transecto de 320 km foi explorado na Serra do Tumucumaque, ao longo da fronteira entre o sul da Guiana Francesa e o Brasil por meio da amostragem de todas as arvores e lianas com DAP . 10 cm em sete parcelas de 25 x 25 m instaladas perto de sete marcos fronteiricos. Isolamos DNA de tecido cambial e sequenciamos dois codigos de barra de DNA (rbcLa e matK) para auxiliar na identificacao das especies. Tambem coletamos especimes de herbario ferteis de outras especies (arvores/ arbustos/ervas) dentro e fora das parcelas. Os codigos de barra de DNA selecionados foram uteis em nivel de familia, mas nao conseguiram identificar especimes em nivel de especie. Com base na identificacao de DNA barcoding, as familias mais abundantes nas parcelas foram Burseraceae, Fabaceae, Meliaceae, Moraceae, Myristicaceae e Sapotaceae. Um terco das imagens de plantas amostradas postadas no website iNaturalist foram identificadas em nivel de especie. Novas abordagens, incluindo o sequenciamento da regiao ITS e regioes de DNA plastidial de rapida evolucao, ainda precisam ser testadas quanto a sua utilidade na identificacao de especimes ate niveis taxonomicos mais baixos em inventarios floristicos na regiao amazonica. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: codigo de barras de DNA, fronteira Guiana Francesa-Brasil, inventario de arvores, matK, rbcLa, Tumucumaque

International audience; Globalization is transforming food systems around the world. With few geographical areas spared from nutritional, dietary and epidemiological transitions, chronic diseases have reached pandemic proportions. A question therefore arises as to the sustainability of local food systems. The overall purpose of this article is to put in perspective how local food systems respond to globalization through the assessment of five different case studies stemming from an international research network of Human-Environment Observatories (OHM), namely Nunavik (Québec, Canada), Oyapock (French Guiana, France), Estarreja (Portugal), Téssékéré (Senegal) and Littoral-Caraïbes (Guadeloupe, France). Each region retains aspects of its traditional food system, albeit under different patterns of influence modelled by various factors. These include history, cultural practices, remoteness and accessibility to and integration of globalized ultra-processed foods that induce differential health impacts. Furthermore, increases in the threat of environmental contamination can undermine the benefits of locally sourced foods for the profit of ultra-processed foods. These case studies demonstrate that: (i) the influence of globalization on food systems can be properly understood by integrating sociohistorical trajectories, socioeconomic and sociocultural context, ongoing local environmental issues and health determinants; and (ii) long-term and transverse monitoring is essential to understand the sustainability of local food systems vis-à-vis globalization.

We present a list of tree species of French Guiana, based on data collected from herbarium specimens and tree inventories, and verified against all available taxonomic literature to date. The list contains 1811 taxa representing 87 families and 421 genera, including 143 unnamed species which either may be species not previously recorded in French Guiana, or taxa new to Science. Original demographic data such as global abundance, local maximum frequency and geographic dispersion, are given for the 1293 species present in tree inventories. Our work has led to the recognition of certain taxonomic and nomenclatural novelties, including a new combination in Lecythis Loefl. (Lecythidaceae), several lectotypifications and new synonyms, as well as reinstatement of Sloanea acutiflora Uittien (Elaeocarpaceae), Eugenia sinemariensis Aubl. (Myrtaceae), and four species of Inga (Leguminosae). In addition, we provide the most comprehensive list available to date of corresponding vernacular names (4354 for 1157 species) in nine languages spoken in French Guiana: Palikur, Kali’na, Teko, Wayãpi, Wayana, Nengee tongo (Aluku/Ndjuka/Paramaka), Creole, French, and Brasilian Portuguese. The checklist is complemented by indexes of exsiccata, vernacular names and scientific names. The introductory part is available in French and English., Nous présentons une liste des espèces d’arbres de Guyane française, basée sur des données issues de spécimens d’herbiers et d’inventaires d’arbres. Les noms ont été vérifiés au regard de toute la littérature taxonomique disponible à ce jour. La liste contient 1811 taxons représentant 87 familles et 421 genres, dont 143 espèces non nommées qui peuvent être soit des espèces non répertoriées précédemment en Guyane française, soit des taxons nouveaux pour la Science. Des données démographiques originales telles que l’abondance globale, la fréquence maximale locale et la dispersion géographique, sont données pour les 1293 espèces présentes dans les inventaires d’arbres. Nos travaux ont conduit à la reconnaissance de quelques nouveautés taxonomiques et nomenclaturales, dont une nouvelle combinaison dans le genre Lecythis Loefl. (Lecythidaceae), plusieurs lectotypifications et nouveaux synonymes, ainsi que la réinstallation de Sloanea acutiflora Uittien (Elaeocarpaceae), d’Eugenia sinemariensis Aubl. (Myrtaceae), et de quatre espèces du genre Inga (Leguminosae). En outre, nous fournissons la liste la plus complète disponible à ce jour des noms vernaculaires correspondants (4354 pour 1157 espèces) dans neuf langues parlées en Guyane française : Palikur, Kali’na, Teko, Wayãpi, Wayana, Nengee tongo (Aluku/Ndjuka/Paramaka), Créole, Français, et Portugais du Brésil. Le catalogue est complété par des index des exsiccata, des noms vernaculaires et des noms scientifiques. La partie introductive est proposée en français et en anglais.

International audience; Ethnopharmacological relevanceLeishmaniasis are widely distributed among tropical and subtropical countries, and remains a crucial health issue in Amazonia. Indigenous groups across Amazonia have developed abundant knowledge about medicinal plants related to this pathology.Aim of the studyWe intent to explore the weight of different pharmacological activities driving taxa selection for medicinal use in Amazonian communities. Our hypothesis is that specific activity against Leishmania parasites is only one factor along other (anti-inflammatory, wound healing, immunomodulating, antimicrobial) activities.Materials and methodsThe twelve most widespread plant species used against leishmaniasis in Amazonia, according to their cultural and biogeographical importance determined through a wide bibliographical survey (475 use reports), were selected for this study. Plant extracts were prepared to mimic their traditional preparations. Antiparasitic activity was evaluated against promastigotes of reference and clinical New-World strains of Leishmania (L. guyanensis, L. braziliensis and L. amazonensis) and L. amazonensis intracellular amastigotes. We concurrently assessed the extracts immunomodulatory properties on PHA-stimulated human PBMCs and RAW264.7 cells, and on L. guyanensis antigens-stimulated PBMCs obtained from Leishmania-infected patients, as well as antifungal activity and wound healing properties (human keratinocyte migration assay) of the selected extracts. The cytotoxicity of the extracts against various cell lines (HFF1, THP-1, HepG2, PBMCs, RAW264.7 and HaCaT cells) was also considered. The biological activity pattern of the extracts was represented through PCA analysis, and a correlation matrix was calculated.ResultsSpondias mombin L. bark and Anacardium occidentale L. stem and leaves extracts displayed high anti-promatigotes activity, with IC50 ≤ 32 μg/mL against L. guyanensis promastigotes for S. mombin and IC50 of 67 and 47 μg/mL against L. braziliensis and L. guyanensis promastigotes, respectively, for A. occidentale. In addition to the antiparasitic effect, antifungal activity measured against C. albicans and T. rubrum (MIC in the 16–64 μg/mL range) was observed. However, in the case of Leishmania amastigotes, the most active species were Bixa orellana L. (seeds), Chelonantus alatus (Aubl.) Pulle (leaves), Jacaranda copaia (Aubl.) D. Don. (leaves) and Plantago major L. (leaves) with IC50 < 20 μg/mL and infection rates of 14–25% compared to the control. Concerning immunomodulatory activity, P. major and B. orellana were highlighted as the most potent species for the wider range of cytokines in all tested conditions despite overall contrasting results depending on the model. Most of the species led to moderate to low cytotoxic extracts except for C. alatus, which exhibited strong cytotoxic activity in almost all models. None of the tested extracts displayed wound healing properties.ConclusionsWe highlighted pharmacologically active extracts either on the parasite or on associated pathophysiological aspects, thus supporting the hypothesis that antiparasitic activities are not the only biological factor useful for antileishmanial evaluation. This result should however be supplemented by in vivo studies, and attracts once again the attention on the importance of the choice of biological models for an ethnophamacologically consistent study. Moreover, plant cultural importance, ecological status and availability were discussed in relation with biological results, thus contributing to link ethnobotany, medical anthropology and biology.

Microevolution in Amazonia has been far less documented than in temperate regions and still constitutes a major knowledge gap. Moreover, the actual influence of pre-Columbian societies through the Holocene remains unclear, although it could provide interesting insights on the relationship between natural and human-mediated evolutionary processes in driving microevolution.Because they are widespread and traditionally managed since pre-Columbian times, Neotropical palms are choice models to investigate the drivers of microevolution in Amazonia. In this study, we carried out a preliminary exploration of the genomic diversity in two pairs of congeneric palm species in French Guiana (Astrocaryum spp. and Oenocarpus spp.).We built upon an original sampling design, taking into account both regional climate variations and local-scale pre-Columbian occupation, and designed a new target capture kit of 20,000 molecular probes scattered across exonic regions of more than 5,000 nuclear genes in Arecoïdeae (“ARECO5000+”). Hundreds of palm libraries were sequenced through Illumina sequencing, providing a unique – high-coverage – genomic dataset in these non-model species.We explored patterns of genomic diversity and differentiation within and across populations, bringing state-of-the-art knowledge about the roles of climate adaptation and pre-Columbian domestication. By documenting original cases of “incipient” domestication, these pioneer results open new avenues toward a better understanding of microevolution in Amazonia and of the impact of pre-Columbian societies on present-day biodiversity patterns.

International audience

International audience; Ethnopharmacological relevance: In French Guiana, traditional phytotherapies are an important part of self-healthcare, however, a precise understanding of the interactions between local phytotherapies and biomedicine is lacking. Malaria is still endemic in the transition area between French Guiana and Brazil, and practices of self-treatment, although difficult to detect, have possible consequences on the outcome of public health policies.Aim of the study: The objectives of this research were 1) to document occurences of co-medication (interactions between biomedicine and local phytotherapies) against malaria around Saint-Georges de l’Oyapock (SGO), 2) to quantify and to qualify plant uses against malaria, 3) and to discuss potential effects of such co-medications, in order to improve synergy between community efforts and public health programs in SGO particularly, and in Amazonia more broadly.Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 in SGO. Inhabitants of any age and nationality were interviewed using a questionnaire (122 questions) about their knowledge and habits regarding malaria, and their use of plants to prevent and treat it. They were invited to show their potential responses on a poster illustrating the most common antimalarial plants used in the area. In order to correlate plant uses and malaria epidemiology, all participants subsequently received a medical examination, and malaria detection was performed by Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).Results: A total of 1566 inhabitants were included in the study. Forty-six percent of them declared that they had been infected by malaria at least once, and this rate increased with age. Every person who reported that they had had malaria also indicated that they had taken antimalarial drugs (at least for the last episode), and self-medication against malaria with pharmaceuticals was reported in 142 cases. A total of 550 plant users was recorded (35.1% of the interviewed population). Among them 95.5% associated pharmaceuticals to plants. All plants reported to treat malaria were shared by every cultural group around SGO, but three plants were primarily used by the Palikur: Cymbopogon citratus, Citrus aurantifolia and Siparuna guianensis. Two plants stand out among those used by Creoles: Eryngium foetidum and Quassia amara, although the latter is used by all groups and is by far the most cited plant by every cultural group. Cultivated species accounts for 91.3% of the use reports, while wild taxa account for only 18.4%.Conclusions: This study showed that residents of SGO in French Guiana are relying on both traditional phytotherapies and pharmaceutical drugs to treat malaria. This medical pluralism is to be understood as a form of pragmatism: people are collecting or cultivating plants for medicinal purposes, which is probably more congruent with their respective cultures and highlights the wish for a certain independence of the care process. A better consideration of these practices is thus necessary to improve public health response to malaria.

As farmacopeias são, como toda produção cultural, objetos eminentemente vivos e dinâmicos que se transformam e se reinventam constantemente, ao longo dos contatos e intercâmbios incessantes que acontecem entre os diferentes grupos humanos. As plantas medicinais também são “objetos bioculturais” (Pordié, 2002) pela riqueza e complexidade das relações que as sociedades mantêm entre si, que estão igualmente sempre em evolução. Na Guiana Francesa e, especialmente, nos espaços transfonteiriços, as interações culturais são constantes. As plantas e seus usos circulam entre as comunidades, participando assim da renovação e hibridação contínuas das fitoterapias. Esses fluxos materiais e imateriais compõem a realidade cultural dos espaços transfronteiriços do Planalto das Guianas. O presente artigo foca a fronteira franco-brasileira, materializada pelo Rio Oiapoque. Baseados em entrevistas feitas na cidade de Saint-Georges de l’Oyapock, propomos uma descrição exploratória dos fluxos etnobotânicos em contexto transfronteiriço, interessando-nos pelas plantas medicinais intercambiadas, pela difusão dos saberes a elas associados e, logo, pelos modos de circulação das plantas e conhecimentos. Este estudo integra uma pesquisa mais ampla sobre as circulações bioculturais na região da Guiana Francesa e seus vizinhos. Les pharmacopées sont, à l’image de toute production culturelle, des objets éminemment vivants et dynamiques qui se transforment et se réinventent constamment, au fil des contacts et échanges incessants qui se jouent entre les différents groupes humains. Les plantes médicinales sont, elles aussi, des « objets bioculturels » (Pordié, 2002) par la richesse et la complexité des relations que les sociétés entretiennent avec elles, elles aussi toujours en évolution. En Guyane, et en particulier sur les espaces transfrontaliers, les interactions culturelles sont constantes. Les plantes et leurs usages circulent entre les communautés, participant au renouvellement et à l’hybridation continuelle des phytothérapies. Ces flux matériels et immatériels composent la réalité culturelle des espaces transfrontaliers du plateau des Guyanes. Cet article se focalise sur la frontière franco-brésilienne matérialisée par le fleuve Oyapock. À la lumière d’entretiens menés dans la ville de Saint-Georges-de-l’Oyapock, nous proposons une description exploratoire des flux ethnobotaniques en contexte transfrontalier, en nous intéressant aux plantes médicinales échangées, à la diffusion des savoirs associés et donc aux modes de circulation des plantes et des connaissances. Cette étude compose une partie d’une recherche plus large sur les circulations bioculturelles à l’échelle de la Guyane et de ses voisins. Pharmacopoeias are, like any kind of cultural production, living and dynamic objects that constantly change and reinvent themselves, throughout continuous contacts and exchanges between different social groups. Medicinal plants are “biocultural objects” (Pordié, 2002) as well, because of the richness and the complexity of relationships that societies develop with them. In French Guiana, especially in its cross-border areas, cultural interactions are usual. Plants and knowledge about their uses circulate among communities, contributing to a permanent renewal and a continuous hybridation of herbal medicines. These material and immaterial flows form the cultural reality of cross-border areas on the Guiana Shield. This paper focuses on the border between French Guiana and Brazil, which was made tangible by the Oyapock River. Based on interviews conducted in the French border town of Saint-Georges-de-l’Oyapock, it proposes an exploratory description of ethnobotanical flows in this cross-border context. It lists the medicinal plants used in Saint-Georges, analyses the diffusion of associated knowledge between the different communities and highlights the circulations of plants and of related medicinal knowledge in this transfrontier area. This research is one part of a larger study on biocultural circulations at the scale of French Guiana and its neighbours.

Pharmacopoeias are, like any kind of cultural production, living and dynamic objects that constantly change and reinvent themselves, throughout continuous contacts and exchanges between different social groups. Medicinal plants are "biocultural objects" (Pordie, 2002) as well, because of the richness and the complexity of relationships that societies develop with them. In French Guiana, especially in its cross-border areas, cultural interactions are usual. Plants and knowledge about their uses circulate among communities, contributing to a permanent renewal and a continuous hybridation of herbal medicines. These material and immaterial flows form the cultural reality of cross-border areas on the Guiana Shield. This paper focuses on the border between French Guiana and Brazil, which was made tangible by the Oyapock River. Based on interviews conducted in the French border town of Saint-Georges-de-l'Oyapock, it proposes an exploratory description of ethnobotanical flows in this cross-border context. It lists the medicinal plants used in Saint-Georges, analyses the diffusion of associated knowledge between the different communities and highlights the circulations of plants and of related medicinal knowledge in this transfrontier area. This research is one part of a larger study on biocultural circulations at the scale of French Guiana and its neighbours., Les pharmacopées sont, à l’image de toute production culturelle, des objets éminemment vivants et dynamiques qui se transforment et se réinventent constamment, au fil des contacts et échanges incessants qui se jouent entre les différents groupes humains. Les plantes médicinales sont, elles aussi, des « objets bioculturels » (Pordié, 2002) par la richesse et la complexité des relations que les sociétés entretiennent avec elles, elles aussi toujours en évolution. En Guyane, et en particulier sur les espaces transfrontaliers, les interactions culturelles sont constantes. Les plantes et leurs usages circulent entre les communautés, participant au renouvellement et à l’hybridation continuelle des phytothérapies. Ces flux matériels et immatériels composent la réalité culturelle des espaces transfrontaliers du plateau des Guyanes. Cet article se focalise sur la frontière franco-brésilienne matérialisée par le fleuve Oyapock. À la lumière d’entretiens menés dans la ville de Saint-Georges-de-l’Oyapock, nous proposons une description exploratoire des flux ethnobotaniques en contexte transfrontalier, en nous intéressant aux plantes médicinales échangées, à la diffusion des savoirs associés et donc aux modes de circulation des plantes et des connaissances. Cette étude compose une partie d’une recherche plus large sur les circulations bioculturelles à l’échelle de la Guyane et de ses voisins., As farmacopeias são, como toda produção cultural, objetos eminentemente vivos e dinâmicos que se transformam e se reinventam constantemente, ao longo dos contatos e intercâmbios incessantes que acontecem entre os diferentes grupos humanos. As plantas medicinais também são “objetos bioculturais” (Pordié, 2002) pela riqueza e complexidade das relações que as sociedades mantêm entre si, que estão igualmente sempre em evolução. Na Guiana Francesa e, especialmente, nos espaços transfonteiriços, as interações culturais são constantes. As plantas e seus usos circulam entre as comunidades, participando assim da renovação e hibridação contínuas das fitoterapias. Esses fluxos materiais e imateriais compõem a realidade cultural dos espaços transfronteiriços do Planalto das Guianas. O presente artigo foca a fronteira francobrasileira, materializada pelo Rio Oiapoque. Baseados em entrevistas feitas na cidade de Saint- Georges de l’Oyapock, propomos uma descrição exploratória dos fluxos etnobotânicos em contexto transfronteiriço, interessando-nos pelas plantas medicinais intercambiadas, pela difusão dos saberes a elas associados e, logo, pelos modos de circulação das plantas e conhecimentos. Este estudo integra uma pesquisa mais ampla sobre as circulações bioculturais na região da Guiana Francesa e seus vizinhos.

The knowledge systems and practices of Indigenous Peoples and local communities play critical roles in safeguarding the biological and cultural diversity of our planet. Globalization, government policies, capitalism, colonialism, and other rapid social-ecological changes threaten the relationships between Indigenous Peoples and local communities and their environments, thereby challenging the continuity and dynamism of Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK). In this article, we contribute to the “World Scientists' Warning to Humanity,” issued by the Alliance of World Scientists, by exploring opportunities for sustaining ILK systems on behalf of the future stewardship of our planet. Our warning raises the alarm about the pervasive and ubiquitous erosion of knowledge and practice and the social and ecological consequences of this erosion. While ILK systems can be adaptable and resilient, the foundations of these knowledge systems are compromised by ongoing suppression, misrepresentation, appropriation, assimilation, disconnection, and destruction of biocultural heritage. Three case studies illustrate these processes and how protecting ILK is central to biocultural conservation. We conclude with 15 recommendations that call for the recognition and support of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and their knowledge systems. Enacting these recommendations will entail a transformative and sustained shift in how ILK systems, their knowledge holders, and their multiple expressions in lands and waters are recognized, affirmed, and valued. We appeal for urgent action to support the efforts of Indigenous Peoples and local communities around the world to maintain their knowledge systems, languages, stewardship rights, ties to lands and waters, and the biocultural integrity of their territories—on which we all depend. Introduction - Continuity, Change, and Resilience in Indigenous and Local Knowledge Systems - The Multidimensionality of Threats to ILK Systems - Interwoven Challenges and Consequences: Three Case Studies - Case Study 1. Indigenous Conservation of a Threatened cultural Keystone Species: Pacific Herring - Case Study 2. Ethnobotanical Knowledge is Essential for Tsimane’ Health and Nutrition - Case Study 3. Ma¯ ori ILK and Customary Practices Support the Conservation and Sustainable Use of a Burrowing Seabird - Addressing Challenges Faced by Indigenous and Local Knowledge Systems - Moving Forward

Ethnopharmacological relevance Quassia amara L. recently came into the spotlight in French Guiana, when it became the object of a biopiracy claim. Due to the numerous use records throughout the Guiana shield, at least since the 18th century, a thorough investigation of its origin seemed relevant and timely. In the light of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya protocol, questions about the origin of local knowledge are important to debate. Aim of the study: Defining cultural biogeography as the dynamics through space and time of biocultural complexes, we used this theoretical framework to shed light on the complex biogeographical and cultural history of Q. amara. We explored in particular the possible transfer of medicinal knowledge on an Old World species to a botanically related New World one by enslaved Africans in Suriname. Materials and methods Historical and contemporary literature research was performed by means of digitized manuscripts, archives and databases from the 17th to the 21st century. We retrieved data from digitized herbarium vouchers in herbaria of the Botanic Garden Meise (Belgium); Naturalis Biodiversity Center (the Netherlands); Missouri Botanical Garden, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the Field Museum (USA); Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (UK); the IRD Herbarium, French Guiana and the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle (France). Vernacular names were retrieved from literature and herbarium specimens and compared to verify the origin of Quassia amara and its uses. Results Our exploration of digitized herbarium vouchers resulted in 1287 records, of which 661 were Q. amara and 636 were Q. africana. We observed that the destiny of this species, over at least 300 years, interweaves politics, economy, culture and medicine in a very complex way. Quassia amara's uses are difficult to attribute to specific cultural groups: the species is widely distributed in Central and South America, where it is popular among many ethnic groups. The species spread from Central to South America during the early 18th century due to political and economic reasons. This migration possibly resulted from simultaneous migration by religious orders (Jesuits) from Central America to northern South America and by Carib-speaking Amerindians (from northern South America to Suriname). Subsequently, through colonial trade networks, Q. amara spread to the rest of the world. The absence of African-derived local names in the Guiana shield suggests that Q. africana was not sufficiently familiar to enslaved Africans in the region that they preserved its names and transferred the associated medicinal knowledge to Q. amara. Conclusions Cultural biogeography has proven an interesting concept to reconstruct the dynamics of biocultural interactions through space and time, while herbarium databases have shown to be useful to decipher evolution of local plant knowledge. Tracing the origin of a knowledge is nevertheless a complex adventure that deserves time and interdisciplinary studies.

Ethnobiology, like many fields, was shaped by early Western imperial efforts to colonize people and lands around the world and extract natural resources. Those legacies and practices persist today and continue to influence the institutions ethnobiologists are a part of, how they carry out research, and their personal beliefs and actions. Various authors have previously outlined five overlapping "phases" of ethnobiology. Here, we argue that ethnobiology should move toward a sixth phase in which scholars and practitioners must actively challenge colonialism, racism, and oppressive structures embedded within their institutions, projects, and themselves. As an international group of ethnobiologists and scholars from allied fields, we identified key topics and priorities at three levels: at the institutional scale, we argue for repatriation/rematriation of biocultural heritage, accessibility of published work, and realignment of priorities to support community-driven research. At the level of projects, we emphasize the need for mutual dialogue, reciprocity, community research self-sufficiency, and research questions that support sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities over lands and waters. Finally, for individual scholars, we support self-reflection on language use, co-authorship, and implicit bias. We advocate for concrete actions at each of these levels to move the field further toward social justice, antiracism, and decolonization., La etnobiología, como muchos otros campos, ha sido moldeada por los esfuerzos imperialistas occidentales para colonizar gente y tierras alrededor del mundo y extraer sus recursos naturales. Estos legados y prácticas aún persisten hoy en día y continúan influyendo en las instituciones donde los etnobiólogos son parte, las formas en cómo desarrollan la investigación, sus creencias personales y acciones. Varios autores han resaltado anteriormente cinco fases superpuestas de la etnobiología. En este documento, nosotros argumentamos que la etnobiología debe moverse hacia una sexta fase en la que los académicos y practicantes deben activamente confrontar el colonialismo, el racismo y las estructuras opresivas que están embebidas dentro de sus instituciones, proyectos y de ellos mismos. Como un grupo internacional de etnobiólogos y académicos de campos aliados, identificamos temas centrales y prioridades en 3 niveles: a nivel institucional, nosotros abogamos por la repatriación/rematriación del patrimonio biocultural, la accesibilidad a los trabajos publicados, y la realineación de prioridades para apoyar la investigación liderada por las comunidades. A nivel de proyectos, nosotros enfatizamos la necesidad de un diálogo mutuo, de reciprocidad, que las comunidades sean autosuficientes en cuanto a investigación. Además, que las preguntas de investigación apoyen la soberanía de los Pueblos Indígenas y las Comunidades Locales sobre sus tierras y aguas. Finalmente, en el caso de los académicos, apoyamos los procesos de reflexión interna acerca del uso del lenguaje, las coautorías y los sesgos implícitos. Nosotros abogamos por acciones concretas en cada uno de estos niveles para movilizar a la etnobiología para que sea socialmente justa, anti-racista y descolonizada.

International audience; Among the 18 species included in the Ceiba genus in the Malvaceae (Bombacoideae) family, Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. is not only the tallest and most widespread but also occupies the most prominent place in Neotropical cosmovisions. In this ethnobotanical review, we compare perceptions and uses of Ceiba and related species across Indigenous and Afro-descendant cultures ranging from the Caribbean to the Argentinian Chaco. Ceiba’s widely shared role as axis mundi (particularly in Amazonia), psychopomp, and as a shelter of major forest spirits makes it a perfect example of a Spiritual Keystone Species, a new concept inspired from the concept of Cultural Keystone Species and defined here for the first time.

French Guiana is an overseas French department in South America at the margin of the Amazon basin. Its population is characterized by an important number of cultural groups. Many inhabitants originate from the Caribbean (mostly Saint Lucia, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic). The objectives of this study were to present an overview of the main uses of plants among the Caribbean populations in French Guiana, and how they contribute to the dynamics of plant-based practices, in order to provide insights into ethnobotanical convergences, divergences, and hybridizations (such as the importation of new species and associated practices, and the adoption of Amazonian species by Caribbean people). Interviews and botanical voucher collections were conducted throughout the coastal area of French Guiana. Sixteen Saint Lucian, nineteen Haitian, eighteen French Caribbean, and twelve Dominican informants were interviewed during the fieldwork. Altogether they use 212 botanical species. Some plants have recently been imported directly from the Caribbean, while adaptations have also taken place: some species that do not exist locally are abandoned while Amazonian species are integrated to form hybrid pharmacopoeias. The phytotherapies of these communities in French Guiana are still conserved as consistent sets of knowledge, although they tend to blend through an ongoing process of hybridization.The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12231-021-09529-0.La Guyane française est un département français d’Amérique du Sud situé à la marge nord du bassin amazonien. La composition de sa population est caractérisée par une très grande diversité d’appartenances culturelles. De nombreux habitants sont notamment originaires des Caraïbes (principalement de Sainte–Lucie, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Haïti et de la République dominicaine). Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de présenter une vue d’ensemble des principaux usages de soin par les plantes chez les populations caribéennes de Guyane française, et la manière dont ils contribuent à la dynamique des pratiques de phytothérapie locales, afin d’apporter un éclairage sur les modalités de convergences, de divergences et d’hybridations ethnobotaniques (telles que l’importation de nouvelles espèces et d’usages associés et l’adoption d’espèces amazoniennes par les migrants caribéens) auxquelles elles donnent naissance. Des entretiens et des collectes d’herbiers ont été menés sur l’ensemble de la zone côtière de la Guyane française. Seize informateurs saint–luciens, dix–neuf haïtiens, dix–huit caribéens français et douze dominicains ont été interrogés au cours du travail de terrain. Au total, ceux–ci ont mentionné utiliser 212 espèces botaniques. Certaines plantes ont récemment été directement importées des îles de la Caraïbe, et des adaptations ont également eu lieu: certaines espèces qui n’existent pas localement sont progressivement délaissées par les migrants caribéens tandis que

Background French Guiana is characterized by a very multicultural population, made up of formerly settled groups (Amerindians, Maroons, Creoles) and more recent migrants (mostly from Latin America and the Caribbean). It is the ideal place to try to understand the influence of intercultural exchanges on the composition of medicinal floras and the evolution of phytotherapies under the effect of cross-culturalism. Methods A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used. Semi-directive interviews were conducted in 12 localities of French Guiana’s coast between January 2016 and June 2017, and the responses to all closed questions collected during the survey were computerized in an Excel spreadsheet to facilitate quantitative processing. Herbarium vouchers were collected and deposited at the Cayenne Herbarium to determine Linnaean names of medicinal species mentioned by the interviewees. A list of indicator species for each cultural group considered was adapted from community ecology to this ethnobiological context, according to the Dufrêne-Legendre model, via the “labdsv” package and the “indval” function, after performing a redundancy analysis (RDA). Results A total of 205 people, belonging to 15 distinct cultural groups, were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. A total of 356 species (for 106 botanical families) were cited. We observed that pantropical and edible species hold a special place in these pharmacopeias. If compared to previous inventories, 31 recently introduced species can be counted. Furthermore, this study shows that the majority of the plants used are not specific to a particular group but shared by many communities. However, despite this obvious cross-culturalism of medicinal plants between the different cultural communities of French Guiana, divergent trends nevertheless appear through the importance of 29 indicator/cultural keystone species in 10 cultural groups. Finally, we have emphasized that the transmission of herbal medicine’s knowledge in French Guiana is mainly feminine and intra-cultural. Conclusion French Guianese medicinal flora is undoubtedly related to the multiple cultures that settled this territory through the last centuries. Cultural pharmacopeias are more hybrid than sometimes expected, but cultural keystone species nevertheless arise from a common background, allowing to understand, and define, the relationships between cultural groups.

In this chapter, we propose a methodology in historical ethnoecology based on our collaborative experience with Amerindians from French Guiana. We assume that Native Americans still have an intimate practice of nature and a deep knowledge of their culture that can provide us with integrative elements for understanding ancient historical landscapes. Their knowledge of plant species indicative of anthropisation, as well as their pedological, agronomic or historical knowledge, collected at different scales make it possible to reconstruct the history of landscapes in a complementary way.

International audience; This book presents some of the most recent tools, methods and concepts in historical ecology. It introduces students and researchers to state-of-the-art techniques and showcases a wide array of methods dedicated to understanding the history of tropical landscapes. The chapters cover the detection and characterisation of archaeological features, living organisms as witnesses of past human activities, ethnoecological knowledge of ancient anthropogenic landscapes and societal impacts of historical ecology. Whilst mainly based on Amazonian experiences, the contributions aim to strengthen synergies between disciplines and to propose solutions that can be applied elsewhere in the field.

International audience; In Amazonia, a growing body of studies has shown that rainforests were affected by human occupation in many areas during pre-Columbian times, inducing changes in their floristic compositions. The northern part of Amazonia, and in particular the Guiana Shield, is much less studied, although past human occupations have also been documented in this region. Therefore, the actual impact of pre-Columbian societies on Guianan forests is still poorly known. Here we explore 12 sites in the dense forest of Nouragues, central French Guiana, ranging from a priori non-anthropogenic to clearly anthropogenic, using an anthracological approach. Soil charcoals were radiocarbon dated to assess the chronology of the past human occupations, and identified to determine shifts in vegetation cover. Our results show that two main periods of occupation can be distinguished on several sites in the Nouragues area: a first one between ca. 1,300 and 1,000 cal bp and a second one between ca. 600 and 400 cal bp. Charcoal identification reveals the presence of a secondary vegetation during this most recent period of occupation, as shown by the presence of pioneer and heliophilic taxa, suggesting that human activities induced and favored this kind of vegetation. The presence of valuable wood and edible species in the anthracological record could reflect selective exploitation of the former around dwelling areas and a concentration of the latter within anthropogenic sites. As shown by our anthracological results, all the sites which contained charcoal were once under forest cover, including those that are now covered by pseudo-bamboos or by liana forests. We therefore suggest that the type of human activity (e.g. dwelling or food production) may have had different impacts on the structure and composition of subsequent vegetation resulting either in anthropogenic forests or liana and pseudo-bamboo patches after land abandonment.

A geographically diverse group of 29 ethnobiologists addresses three common themes in response to the COVID-19 global health crisis: impact on local communities, future interactions between researchers and communities, and new (or renewed) conceptual and/or applied research priorities for ethnobiology., La lista completa de autores puede verse en el archivo asociado., Laboratorio de Etnobotánica y Botánica Aplicada

International audience; Natural products have proven to be an immeasurable source of bioactive compounds. The exceptional biodiversity encountered in Amazonia, alongside a rich entomofauna and frequent interactions with various herbivores is the crucible of a promising chemodiversity. This prompted us to search for novel botanical insecticides in French Guiana. As this French overseas department faces severe issues linked to insects, notably the strong incidence of vector-borne infectious diseases, we decided to focus our research on products able to control the mosquito Aedes aegypti. We tested 452 extracts obtained from 85 species originating from 36 botanical families and collected in contrasted environments against an Ae. aegypti laboratory strain susceptible to all insecticides, and a natural population resistant to both pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides collected in Cayenne for the most active of them. Eight species (Maytenus oblongata Reissek, Celastraceae; Costus erythrothyrsus Loes., Costaceae; Humiria balsamifera Aubl., Humiriaceae; Sextonia rubra (Mez) van der Werff, Lauraceae; Piper hispidum Sw., Piperaceae; Laetia procera (Poepp.) Eichl., Salicaceae; Matayba arborescens (Aubl.) Radlk., Sapindaceae; and Cupania scrobitulata Rich., Sapindaceae) led to extracts exhibiting more than 50% larval mortality after 48 h of exposition at 100 µg/mL against the natural population and were considered active. Selectivity and phytochemistry of these extracts were therefore investigated and discussed, and some active compounds highlighted. Multivariate analysis highlighted that solvents, plant tissues, plant family and location had a significant effect on mortality while light, available resources and vegetation type did not. Through this case study we highlighted that plant defensive chemistry mechanisms are crucial while searching for novel insecticidal products.

International audience

International audience; To implement future malaria elimination strategies in French Guiana, a characterization of the infectious reservoir is recommended. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October and December 2017 in the French Guianese municipality of St Georges de l'Oyapock, located along the Brazilian border. The prevalence of Plasmodium spp. was determined using a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Demographic, house locations, medical history, and biological data were analyzed. Factors associated with Plasmodium spp. carriage were analyzed using logistic regression, and the carriage localization was investigated through spatial cluster analysis. Of the 1,501 samples analyzed with PCR, positive results totaled 90 and 10 for Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum, respectively. The general PCR prevalence was 6.6% [5.3-7.9], among which 74% were asymptomatic. Only 13/1,549 were positive by RDT. In multivariate analysis, participants older than 15 years, living in a remote neighborhood, with a prior history of malaria, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were associated with an increased odds of Plasmodium spp. carriage. High-risk clusters of P. vivax carriage were detected in the most remote neighborhoods on the village outskirts and two small foci in the village center. We also detected a hot spot for both P. vivax and P. falciparum symptomatic carriers in the northwestern part of the village. The present study confirms a wide-scale presence of asymptomatic P. falciparum and P. vivax carriers in this area. Although they were more often located in remote areas, their geographic distribution was spatially heterogeneous and complex.

According to the literature, the phytochemistry of Symphonia globulifera (Clusiacea) seems to be highly correlated to the local ecosystem. None of the already isolated 31 metabolites from Africa were common with the 13 isolated in French Guiana. Considering the potent therapeutic activities of these metabolites, we have investigated these differences thought a LC–HRMS n conducted metabolomic approach. By using a database correlation and fragmentation patterns, 37 compounds responsible of the variation have been putatively annotated. Among these metabolites, only 6 were already described in this species. This study highlights the relatively restrict phytochemical knowledge of Symphonia globulifera , a species with potent therapeutic metabolites and thus, allow faster phytochemical mapping for further isolation.

International audience; To decipher the long-term influences of pre-Columbian land occupations on contemporary forest structure, diversity, and functioning in Amazonia, most of the previous research focused on the alluvial plains of the major rivers of the Amazon basin. Terra firme, that is, nonflooded forests, particularly from the Guiana Shield, are yet to be explored. In this study, we aim to give new insights into the subtle traces of pre-Columbian influences on present-day forests given the archaeological context of terra firme forests of the Guiana Shield. Following archaeological prospects on 13 sites in French Guiana, we carried out forest inventories inside and outside archaeological sites and assessed the potential pre-Columbian use of the sampled tree species using an original ethnobotanical database of the Guiana Shield region. Aboveground biomass (320 and 380 T/ha, respectively), basal area (25–30 and 30–35 m2/ha, respectively), and tree density (550 and 700 stem/ha, respectively) were all significantly lower on anthropized plots (As) than on nonanthropized plots (NAs). Ancient human presence shaped the species composition of the sampled forests with Arecaceae, Burseraceae, and Lauraceae significantly more frequent in As and Annonaceae and Lecythidaceae more frequent in NAs. Although alpha diversity was not different between As and NAs, the presence of pre-Columbian sites enhances significantly the forest beta diversity at the landscape level. Finally, trees with edible fruits are positively associated with pre-Columbian sites, whereas trees used for construction or for their bark are negatively associated with pre-Columbian sites. Half a millennium after their abandonment, former occupied places from the inner Guiana Shield still bear noticeable differences with nonanthropized places. Considering the lack of data concerning archaeology of terra firme Amazonian forests, our results suggest that pre-Columbian influences on the structure (lower current biomass), diversity (higher beta diversity), and composition (linked to the past human tree uses) of current Amazonian forests might be more important than previously thought.

La cueillette des plantes médicinales en Guyane française est une pratique relativement méconnue, sous-estimée et souvent perçue comme anecdotique ou insignifiante. Pourtant, tous les jours, des personnes peuvent être vues ramassant des plantes sur les bords de route, pour leur propre usage ou, dans de moindres proportions, pour les vendre. Cet article vise à caractériser ces pratiques de cueillette des plantes médicinales et leur diversité et à souligner la pertinence de l’entrée par ces plantes pour interroger le fonctionnement de sociétés sujettes à des transformations rapides et désignées ici comme « en transition ». À la lumière de deux études de cas, une sur la cueillette urbaine dans l’agglomération de Cayenne et l’autre en zone rurale le long du bas-Maroni, cet article permet de repenser les relations nature-société-ville. En observant les spécificités socio-culturelles influençant les modalités de cueillette, il propose un schéma conceptuel de ces pratiques en mobilisant les idées d’hétérogénéité et de finalité comme concepts explicatifs. The gathering of medicinal plants in French Guiana is a relatively unknown practice, underestimated and often perceived as an anecdotic or insignificant one. However, everyday people can be seen harvesting plants on the road sides, for their own needs or in small proportions, for selling. This paper aims to characterise these medicinal plants’ collection practices, their diversity and their relevance for questioning the functioning of societies, which are subjected to rapid transformations and are therefore designed here as “transitional”. Through two case studies, one on urban collection in Cayenne city and one in the rural area along the low Maroni river, this paper analyses the connection between societies, nature and urban dynamics. By observing the socio-cultural specificities influencing collection modes, we propose a conceptualization scheme of collection practices, through the explanatory concepts of heterogeneity and purpose.

The gathering of medicinal plants in French Guiana is a relatively unknown practice, underestimated and often perceived as an anecdotic or insignificant one. However, everyday people can be seen harvesting plants on the road sides, for their own needs or in small proportions, for selling. This paper aims to characterise these medicinal plants’ collection practices, their diversity and their relevance for questioning the functioning of societies, which are subjected to rapid transformations and are therefore designed here as “transitional”. Through two case studies, one on urban collection in Cayenne city and one in the rural area along the lower Maroni River, this paper analyses the connection between societies, nature and urban dynamics. By observing the socio-cultural specificities influencing collection modes, we propose a conceptualization scheme of collection practices, through the explanatory concepts of heterogeneity and purpose.

Mankind is on the verge of a postantibiotic era. New concepts are needed in our battle to attenuate infectious diseases around the world and broad spectrum plant-inspired synergistic pharmaceutical preparations should find their place in the global fight against pathogenic microorganisms. To progress towards the discovery of potent antifungal agents against human pathologies, we embarked upon developing chemometric approach coupled with statistical design to unravel the origin of the anticandidal potential of a set of 66 essential oils (EOs). EOs were analyzed by GC-MS and tested against Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration, MIC). An Orthogonal Partial Least Square (OPLS) analysis allowed us to identify six molecules presumably responsible for the anticandidal activity of the oils: (Z)-ligustilide, eugenol, eugenyl acetate, citral, thymol, and β-citronellol. These compounds were combined following a full factorial experimental design approach in order to optimize the anticandidal activity and selectivity index (SI = IC50(MRC5 cells)/MIC) through reconstituted mixtures. (Z)-Ligustilide and citral were the most active compounds, while (Z)-ligustilide and eugenol were the two main factors that most contributed to the increase of the SI. These two terpenes can, therefore, be used to construct bioinspired synergistic anticandidal mixtures.