Ethnozootechnical Perspectives on the Decline of Traditional Knowledge About Local Goat and Sheep Breeds in the Semi-Arid Region of Paraíba, Brazil
The conservation of local breeds plays a strategic role in maintaining genetic variability, ensuring adaptive responses to environmental challenges, and preserving the cultural and socioeconomic structures of traditional communities. In this context, this study explores the potential disappearance o...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Raissa C. Silva Marilene N. Melo Carlos F. T. de Oliveira José V. Cardoso Luis A. C. Cevallos Laura L. da Rocha Janaina K. G. Arandas Maria N. Ribeiro |
| author_facet | Raissa C. Silva Marilene N. Melo Carlos F. T. de Oliveira José V. Cardoso Luis A. C. Cevallos Laura L. da Rocha Janaina K. G. Arandas Maria N. Ribeiro |
| author_sort | Raissa C. Silva |
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| description | The conservation of local breeds plays a strategic role in maintaining genetic variability, ensuring adaptive responses to environmental challenges, and preserving the cultural and socioeconomic structures of traditional communities. In this context, this study explores the potential disappearance of traditional knowledge about local breeds from an ethnozootechnical perspective. The objectives were (I) to establish the breeding history of goat and sheep breeds/ecotypes in the semi-arid region of Paraíba; (II) to estimate the diversity index; and (III) to evaluate the selection criteria used by local communities in four territories: Coletivo, Borborema, Folia, and Casaco. The study aims to support genetic conservation and improvement programs. Data collection was participatory, involving breeders from all territories. To recover the breeds’ history, questionnaires were applied to the oldest breeders, called the “guardians.” Two workshops were held to assess the diversity of breeds in the past landscape (PP) and current landscape (PA), using the Recall technique. Responses were recorded in spreadsheets for analysis. Descriptive statistics and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) were used to assess animal distribution. The Shannon index indicated a drop in goat breed diversity, from 1.3 (PP) to 0.87 (PA). For sheep breeds, it decreased slightly from 0.7 to 0.66. Breeders reported valuing traits such as adaptability, disease resistance, fertility, and conformation. Their strong emotional connection with the animals highlights the breeds’ cultural relevance. A strong connection was found between the loss of genetic material in the studied territories and the extinction of local communities’ knowledge about local breeds. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e71cf1217e024065bdddd04c33760639 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2673-933X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Ruminants |
| spelling | doaj-art-e71cf1217e024065bdddd04c337606392025-08-20T03:16:39ZengMDPI AGRuminants2673-933X2025-06-01522610.3390/ruminants5020026Ethnozootechnical Perspectives on the Decline of Traditional Knowledge About Local Goat and Sheep Breeds in the Semi-Arid Region of Paraíba, BrazilRaissa C. Silva0Marilene N. Melo1Carlos F. T. de Oliveira2José V. Cardoso3Luis A. C. Cevallos4Laura L. da Rocha5Janaina K. G. Arandas6Maria N. Ribeiro7Department of Animal Sciences, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife 52171-900, PE, BrazilProgram for the Application of Appropriate Technology to Communities-PATAC, Campina Grande 58428-800, PB, BrazilAS-PTA Family Farming and Agroecology, Esperança 58135-000, PB, BrazilProgram for the Application of Appropriate Technology to Communities-PATAC, Campina Grande 58428-800, PB, BrazilFacultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad UTE, Quito 170147, EcuadorDepartment of Animal Sciences, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife 52171-900, PE, BrazilDepartment of Education, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife 52171-900, PE, BrazilDepartment of Animal Sciences, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife 52171-900, PE, BrazilThe conservation of local breeds plays a strategic role in maintaining genetic variability, ensuring adaptive responses to environmental challenges, and preserving the cultural and socioeconomic structures of traditional communities. In this context, this study explores the potential disappearance of traditional knowledge about local breeds from an ethnozootechnical perspective. The objectives were (I) to establish the breeding history of goat and sheep breeds/ecotypes in the semi-arid region of Paraíba; (II) to estimate the diversity index; and (III) to evaluate the selection criteria used by local communities in four territories: Coletivo, Borborema, Folia, and Casaco. The study aims to support genetic conservation and improvement programs. Data collection was participatory, involving breeders from all territories. To recover the breeds’ history, questionnaires were applied to the oldest breeders, called the “guardians.” Two workshops were held to assess the diversity of breeds in the past landscape (PP) and current landscape (PA), using the Recall technique. Responses were recorded in spreadsheets for analysis. Descriptive statistics and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) were used to assess animal distribution. The Shannon index indicated a drop in goat breed diversity, from 1.3 (PP) to 0.87 (PA). For sheep breeds, it decreased slightly from 0.7 to 0.66. Breeders reported valuing traits such as adaptability, disease resistance, fertility, and conformation. Their strong emotional connection with the animals highlights the breeds’ cultural relevance. A strong connection was found between the loss of genetic material in the studied territories and the extinction of local communities’ knowledge about local breeds.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-933X/5/2/26local knowledgesmall ruminantsconservationselection criteria |
| spellingShingle | Raissa C. Silva Marilene N. Melo Carlos F. T. de Oliveira José V. Cardoso Luis A. C. Cevallos Laura L. da Rocha Janaina K. G. Arandas Maria N. Ribeiro Ethnozootechnical Perspectives on the Decline of Traditional Knowledge About Local Goat and Sheep Breeds in the Semi-Arid Region of Paraíba, Brazil Ruminants local knowledge small ruminants conservation selection criteria |
| title | Ethnozootechnical Perspectives on the Decline of Traditional Knowledge About Local Goat and Sheep Breeds in the Semi-Arid Region of Paraíba, Brazil |
| title_full | Ethnozootechnical Perspectives on the Decline of Traditional Knowledge About Local Goat and Sheep Breeds in the Semi-Arid Region of Paraíba, Brazil |
| title_fullStr | Ethnozootechnical Perspectives on the Decline of Traditional Knowledge About Local Goat and Sheep Breeds in the Semi-Arid Region of Paraíba, Brazil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ethnozootechnical Perspectives on the Decline of Traditional Knowledge About Local Goat and Sheep Breeds in the Semi-Arid Region of Paraíba, Brazil |
| title_short | Ethnozootechnical Perspectives on the Decline of Traditional Knowledge About Local Goat and Sheep Breeds in the Semi-Arid Region of Paraíba, Brazil |
| title_sort | ethnozootechnical perspectives on the decline of traditional knowledge about local goat and sheep breeds in the semi arid region of paraiba brazil |
| topic | local knowledge small ruminants conservation selection criteria |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-933X/5/2/26 |
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