Biodiversity and ethno-landscape in Qom indigenous community of Argentina

Abstract

Qom indigenous community, Formosa, NE Argentina, the natural forest source of sustenance,
‘remedies’ and cultural practices, is deteriorated and unsatisfied basic needs. The main objective
was to inquire by participatory action research, changes in the natural landscape, the
needs in food and medicine focusing on native plants of high interest to cover them, plant propagation,
reinsertion in the landscape and improvement of biodiversity. It was developed within
the United Nations Environment Fund Program, on a family farm in the community. The results
obtained through the measurement of indicators, integrated in AMOEBA graph, show that the
biodiversity and improvement of community landscape have been increased but, although the
indicators are encouraging, It is necessary to increase the sustainability of system in the way
of food sovereignty and the achievement of the rights of indigenous peoples.