Knowledge, values, use and management of the Araucaria araucana forest by indigenous Mapuche Pewenche communities of the IX region in the Chilean Andes

Southern Chile has experienced serious deforestation during the last century. It is anticipated that by the year 2025 Chile will be devoid of native forests. One of the socio-culturally most important endemic tree species of the country and at the same time one of the most endangered ones is Araucaria araucana (Mol.) C. Koch, the monkey-puzzle tree. It grows in the Andes mountains, homeland of the indigenous Mapuche Pewenche people who depend on this tree. Mapuche Pewenche communities from Quinquen and Ikalma located in the IX region of Chile contributed to this research. This thesis investigated the ecological knowledge, values, use and management of the Araucaria araucana forest by indigenous Mapuche Pewenche people, based on the socio-cultural, spiritual and ecological relationships they have with the Araucaria forest, to find out how the indigenous people and their knowledge could contribute to sustainable Araucaria forest management. Research characterised and analysed: Mapuche Pewenche perspectives on structure of the land, perception of the flora of Araucaria araucana associations, knowledge of Araucaria araucana ecology, values and uses of Araucaria forest, the collection of the seeds of the tree, new methods of Araucaria forest management. In order to reveal impacts of the seed collection on Araucaria regeneration, the population structure and regeneration dynamics of Araucaria araucana have been investigated. To put indigenous knowledge of Araucaria araucana into perspective, the thesis illustrated scientific knowledge of Araucaria araucana and discussed governmental management practices. Data obtained was utilised to establish community and GIS maps. Based on the analyses this thesis illustrated the complexity and exact nature of indigenous ecological knowledge of Araucaria araucana on the one hand, and its utility in native forest management on the other. It provided recommendations for Araucaria forest conservation ex-situ and in-situ incorporating indigenous and scientific knowledge, and promoting an integrative resource management.