Inter and intra-cultural variation of medicinal plant knowledge in the tropical forest of Calakmul, Mexico: Implications for conservation, protection and resilience of traditional knowledge

This research on medicinal plant knowledge (MPK) focuses on ethnopharmacological information of three ethnic groups (Maya Yucatec, Tzeltal, and Chol) displaced during the second half of the 20th century to the Calakmul tropical forest (Campeche State, Mexico). The study explores whether in a multicultural region the existing MPK system is more an homogeneous body of knowledge or, alternatively, contains various heterogeneous pharmacopoeias with consistent distribution patterns by ethnicity. The cultural consensus model was applied and it showed negative results in both instances. It was found that the knowledge system operating in Calakmul can be envisioned as a living tree-like image where all the knowledge is not controlled by any of the experts. Individual variation is revealed as a basic component of MPK systems.; Additionally, this study examines how MPK is transmitted and preserved by the above ethnic groups. By focusing on the learning mechanisms of healers, ethnographic data reveals dynamic and diverse processes for the acquisition of MPK. Although, there is an active process of intergenerational transmission of information underway, considerable MPK is also gained through non-kin relations, formal training (i.e. workshops) and experience. The processes of learning and transmission of MPK, rather than ethnicity and other socio-economic variables, explain distribution patterns of MPK. Finally, the sharing of MPK between healers and lay people in a migrant Yucatec Maya population is examined. Generally, the Yucatec Maya lore has been attributed to specialized healers as the ones holding this cognitive tradition. Using data about plant-medicinal use relationships, it was found that healers and households share substantial part of this knowledge and that they each hold cultural information on MPK that is not reported by their counterpart. This study argues that MPK can only be preserved as a community pool resource.; Research findings confirm that MPK and the traditional mechanisms for its transmission decline with increasing process of migration and displacement. At the same time, household participation on MPK and the emerging role of community initiatives are revealed as key strategies for the maintenance and resilience of MPK under such conditions.