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Abstract

Ethnobiology deals with the knowledge that human populations generate on biological phenomena. Expressed in other words, it is the study of how the people interact with their environment. Ethnobiological studies of indigenous
cultures can establish the basis for rational management of biological resources and suggest alternative developmental strategies for tropical forests. Several researchers have demonstrated that traditional cultures possess cognitive models for manipulations of the natural resources that may indicate alternative ways of using the environment. Some indigenous communities offer good models of sustained use of their natural resources. This article analyzes the role of ethnobiology in the development of tropical forests in the conservation of their biodiversity.