Legume species are used in soil improvement and reforestation programs (Lewis et al., 2005). Some species are used for ornamentation, landscaping, and horticulture, being popular in gardens and used as hedgerows. Other species are utilized in agroforestry, honey production, firewood, charcoal, and soil enrichment. There are also species preserved ex situ through conservation programs in botanical gardens. Some species exhibit invasive behaviour and need to be controlled. Certain species provide wood that is used for various purposes, from building houses and boats to paper manufacturing. (Lewis et al., 2005; Yahara et al., 2013). According to the Useful Tropical Plants Database (2022), the family has 550 species registered as something useful for humans, being 518 subscribed in Fabaceae and 32 subscribed in Leguminosae species.
Excessive logging has led to many of them being considered endangered. A prime example is Brazilwood, Paubrasilia echinata (Lam.) Gagnon, H.C.Lima & G.P.Lewis = Caesalpinia echinata Lam., which gave its name to the country and it is the symbol species of Brazil. Its wood was used in the past, until the middle of the XIX century as a dye and construction. Thenceforth Brazilwood is used today in bows and string instruments because it is the most suitable wood in terms of density for this purpose (Bueno and Lima, 2002; Macedo et al., 2020; Macedo et al., 2019).
Today in Brazil, researchers registered 3,053 species of Leguminosae/Fabaceae, of these areas are 1,606 endemic species (FFB, 2023) distributed in all biomes and states. Of these, 952 species are found in 83 genera in the Atlantic Forest, and 39% of these are endemic. Legumes are the richest plant family in Brazil and the Atlantic Forest. They are essential indicators of vegetation formations and are among the most important floristic elements in the composition of the arboreal layer of the Atlantic Forest (Lewis, 2005). As such, legumes are a good indicator of areas with high species richness and endemism. Endemic and/or threatened species are good indicators of priority areas for conservation.
In the face of the current civilizational crisis, the search for a development model that meets the principles of sustainability demands other readings of reality, especially regarding the knowledge associated with biodiversity by traditional communities. In an attempt to put botanical knowledge into action to benefit society and biodiversity conservation, we are systematizing the knowledge of different Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs). In this sense, we exemplify chains of socio biodiversity mapped by the Brazilian government through The National Plan for the Promotion of Sociobiodiversity Products (PNBSB) (Interministerial Ordinance MDA/MDS/MMA No. 239, of July 21, 2009) aims to promote the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ensure income-generating alternatives for rural communities through access to credit policies, technical assistance and rural extension; markets; commercialization instruments; and minimum price guarantee policy. The plan includes the following actions: I) Promotion and support for sustainable production and extractivism; II) Structuring and strengthening industrial processes; III) Structuring and strengthening markets for sociobiodiversity products; IV) Strengthening social and productive organization; V) Complementary actions to strengthen sociobiodiversity product chains; VI) Complementary actions to value sociobiodiversity services. In this way, we are systematising the knowledge and translating it into different languages to increase access to information for both academic and traditional audiences. Meanwhile, it is still expected to continue the analysis of chains and public policies, proposing participatory action plans.
1. Paubrasilia echinata - popular name: pau-brasil, brazilianwood, pernambuco wood, ibitapitanga, arabutam (Gagnon et al., 2023) Biome: Atlantic forest, uses: the wood for archery, and production of bows for stringed instruments, such as violin and cello. Few and small, isolated initiatives in the states of Bahia and Espírito Santo of plantings of pau-brasil for the production of wood in the future have been developed, experimentally and privately, except the Executive Commission of the Cocoa Farming Plan - CEPLAC, linked to the Ministry of Agriculture of the federal government b) There is a demand for the production of seedlings for forest restoration through the marking of matrices, collection of seeds, production of seedlings and monitoring of the growth of restoration plantings. This demand is increasingly greater due to ambitious goals of restoration of the Atlantic Forest (Resende et al., 2024), such as the Arboretum Program, linked to the Public Ministry of the state of Bahia c) Trade in seedlings for the ornamentation of squares in public streets and gardens, covered by legislation on the trade of ornamental plants, mainly on a municipal scale.
Brazilian wood was reduced by excessive logging which has led to many of them being considered endangered. Its wood was used in the past from the XVI century until the middle of the XIX century as dye fabrics red at the European textile industry and construction of builds, and houses. Thenceforth and Brazilwood is still used in the bows of string instruments because it is the most suitable and high-quality bow for string instruments wood in terms of density for this purpose (Bueno e Lima, 2002; Macedo et al., 2020; Macedo et al., 2019). The species has been listed as endangered since 1992. In 2007, it was included in Appendix II of CITES - the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
There is a demand for high-quality and traceable seeds for forest restoration activities, which highlights the need for a chain of seedling production with provenance and quality to meet regional demands for the restoration of degraded areas, respecting the diversity of the regional genetic lineage. In southern Bahia, the Arboretum project has been training seed collectors. People are trained and receive payment for the seeds collected and/or seedlings produced, generating income and environmental preservation. The seedlings are then used in the restoration of Atlantic Forest areas in southern Bahia by the Arboretum Program. Finally, another demand is the production of seedlings for ornamental purposes, which are mostly formed by seedlings without provenance and marketed for planting in squares and gardens without any care for genetic diversity and provenance (Rees et al., 2023). Problems: Endangered species, Illegal extraction of native Brazilian wood; Increase in demand for wood for stringed instrument bows from countries in North America, Europe, and Asia; Absence of fiscal incentives for commercial plantations and small ecological farmers; Conservation actions for commercial plantations carried out by companies and non-governmental organizations, in a sporadic and uncoordinated manner; Demand for wood for reforestation; Need for research on the conservation of the species and on production technology. Opportunities: To produce Brazilian Wood in association with other crops such as cocoa (Theobroma cacao L. - Malvaceae); to research the production of Brazilian wood with other crops of an agroecological system that benefit family farming; to research technologies that optimize the Brazilian wood production chain for Atlantic Forest reforestation actions and commercial plantings.
Vision for the future: Increased inspection to curb illegal Paubrasilia extraction; End the pressure of illegal extraction on natural populations; End deforestation in fragments of natural vegetation; Promote legislation to reduce the steps and bureaucracy for the production of commercial brazilian wood and necessarily be of agroecological production; Promote national-level public policies to provide financial incentives for commercial planting in an agroecological system, reducing the pressure on natural populations of pau-brasil; Promotion of seed collector networks carried out by traditional peoples and small farmers, production of seedlings and reforestation with its own genetics from each occurrence region; Research will answer problems related to forms of conservation of native populations (Rosa et al., in prep.) and the technology to be applied to the production, harvesting, and production of stringed instruments with Brazilian wood is still under development..
1. Copaifera langsdorffii Desf., Popular name: Copaíba, Biome: Amazônia, Medicinal use
Copaiba oil is known as the "antibiotic of the forest" and has been used traditionally for medicinal purposes. In industry, it is used to produce cosmetics and herbal remedies, which use its antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and wound-healing properties. The collection of oil is done by drilling the trunk of the tree with a drill until it reaches the core, from where the oil drips, which is stored in larger containers and then filtered, placed in smaller bottles and sold to intermediaries or end consumers. Through partnerships with the ICMBio and various public and private organizations, it was possible to access resources that led to the inventory of the trees and their location by GPS and identification plates, in addition to guidance on good management practices. Copaiba products are sold at fairs and events to end consumers. The situation of the copaiba oil chain: individual or family work for the collection, filtration, and bottling of the oil, which is sold to a local intermediary, who gathers a quantity of oil and sells it in a larger city, supposedly, but the community members have little information about the final destination of the oil they sell to the intermediary..
2. Pterodon emarginatus Vogel, popular name: Sucupira, biome: Amazônia, Medicinal use.
Sucupira seeds are a product of Brazilian sociobiodiversity. They are collected by picking up seeds that have fallen from the tree. Traditional use involves breaking and boiling the seeds in their natural state. Industrial use involves preparing capsules of seed oil and extracting it in laboratories. The commercialization link is through direct sales of raw seeds, capsules, and extract. The future vision for this chain is to create a manual of good agricultural practices, create seedling production units, establish contracts with suppliers, and regulate the agroindustry.
3. Dimorphandra mollis Benth., popular name: Fava d’anta/ Favela - Biome: Cerrado - Cosmetic use
A Cutter and collection of pods from trees, drying of pods in the sun on the ground, sale of pods per kilogram, transportation by trucks, extraction of rutin in the industry for use in anti-ageing cosmetics (without information on how many industries are involved in the process) Use of creams on the skin. Problems: lack of research on management, production and marketing. Opportunities: international market, abundance of the species. Vision of the Future: Organize extractivists into associations or cooperatives, enabling the application of good management practices and the sale of favela.
4. Amburana cearensis (Allemão) A.C.Sm., popular name: Umburana - Biome: Cerrado - Medicinal use
Manual collection of seeds from the ground, selection, washing, pre-drying (draining), drying, roasting, grinding (optional), packaging, storage, Preparation of tincture/extract, whole seed or ground. Problems: Endangered species, lack of research on management for sustainable use. Opportunities: Established value chain, and trained extractors. The vision of the Future: Create an institute to formalize the operation of the centre for Living in alternative therapies and use of medicinal plants.
5. Pentaclethra macroloba (Willd.) Kuntze. Popular name: Pracaxi - Biome: Amazônia - Cosmetic use
Pracaxi oil has excellent moisturizing properties, valued by the cosmetics, makeup, and hair care industries. Traditionally, it has been used by people as an insecticide. This value chain is in its early stage of organization. Collection, processing, and marketing are done by extractive families, mainly by women, at fairs or informal sales, acting individually, without strong ties to middlemen (entrepreneurs). Seed collection is done in the river, on the beach, or under the tree in terra firme forests. Processing is different in each community and can be either cooking - cooking the seed, peeling it, storing it for 5 to 6 days, and extracting the oil; or solar drying: collecting, drying for 3 to 4 days, pounding, and pressing. Commerce: Local sale and in the state of Amapá to entrepreneurs. Consumption: Use of the oil for medicinal or aesthetic purposes.
Problems: Lack of projects or organizations that provide support services to extractors involved in this chain with a focus on social organization in formal or informal groups.
Opportunities and Vision for the future: Promote the uses and benefits of pracaxi; Introduce products into the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS); Obtain recognition of the importance of pracaxi for açaí management; Use the residues from oil production for fertilizers, repellents, candles, etc.; Structure and strengthen social organization; Obtain certifications of origin, fair trade, organic; Expand the use of solar drying.
Each mapped chain includes a series of institutions involved that can establish horizontal and/or vertical cooperation depending on the links of the chains, that is, partnerships, alliances and joint work between organizations. These partnerships can include financial and non-financial services necessary for the chain to improve its performance, for example, rural credit lines and training, research, technical assistance and rural extension. The products of the chains must comply with regulations, such as environmental, sanitary, tax, labor, and tax legislation, etc. Finally, it is essential to pay attention to social, environmental, and quality standards, such as sanitary inspections and certifications.
We can observe that one of the main bottlenecks of value chains is the lack of knowledge about species, which makes management difficult. Transdisciplinarity around Brazilian wood is achieved through Botany, which studies geographic distribution, phylogeny, phylogenomics, and conservation of natural populations; through agronomic biotechnology, which can optimize reforestation plantings and, mainly, optimize the production chain of commercial plantings in association with agroecology; through law; and through the various social sciences, which will study various topics of the production chain, such as food anthropology, history, social sciences, and economics, among others.
Applied botany plays a fundamental role in solving global challenges, such as food security, biodiversity conservation, and sustainability, by leveraging knowledge about plants and applying it in a practical way to benefit society. In this way, it is relevant to invest in the training of human resources, strengthening of institutions and lines of these types of research, as well as updating collections of economic botany and ethnobotany that can contribute to studies of the socio-bioeconomy of Brazilian biodiversity. That is, to value complex approaches that recognize that economic activities are intrinsically linked to natural resources and biodiversity and that the way society uses these resources affects the environment and, in turn, the economy to maintain the quality of life of future generations and the conservation of plant evolutionary lineages, to mitigate the effects of the Anthropocene associated the Triple Planetary Crisis.