What a peculiar name for a tree, the Araucaria Araucana are not called this because monkeys enjoy spending their time completing puzzle games in the branches of these trees. In fact, monkeys don’t even reside in the region in which these trees are found. A. Araucana are native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina. The monkey puzzle tree got this nickname because it would be difficult for monkeys to climb this tree due to the spikes on the tree’s bark and branches.
In doing research on this odd looking tree, I have discovered the article, “Indigenous knowledge and management of Araucaria araucana forest in the Chilean Andes: implications for native forest conservation” and would like to spend this time blogging about the information discussed in this paper. The paper discusses the field research done in collaboration with the indigenous Mapuche Pewenche community in the southern Chilean Andes based on their ecological knowledge, values, use and management of the A. araucana forest. It attempts to reveal how indigenous people and their knowledge contribute to the sustainable management of these forests.
In Southern Chile deforestation threatens the life and security of many plants and animals alike. One of the most important and endangered tree species of the country are the A.araucana. These trees are being depleted from the forest in which it grows because of exploitation of timber, construction of railway sleeper, ship masts, furniture, mine construction, paper pulp and the list goes on and on.
It is sickly how quickly these prickly trees are being consumed, no longer to bloom, and if we do not sustain these trees they will no longer remain. So, the question to ask, is what is being done to sustain these trees to prevent extinction? (my attempt at a poem).
Mapuche Pewenche community and the A. araucana:
The Mapuche Pewenche people consider the tree sacred as they use this tree as a food source, since historical times to present day, the seeds from the tree are a major part of their diet. It is also used to make flour and a fermented beverage used in ceremonial rituals.
The Mapuche often claim that they have managed the Araucaria trees properly and have acted as stewards of their land and resource. They are trying to sustain this tree through a variety of methods, the Mapuche Pewenche participate in the development of the A. araucana trees and Nothofagus tree species through the installed of tree nurseries, platinating seeds in nursery plastic bags.
These people also saw fit to plant the seeds of these trees directly into the soil among willow trees claiming, “that this way the seeds would not feel lonely and could speak with the other young trees” (Herrmann, 2006). At the time the willow tree branches were to be picked and weaved into baskets, the Araucaria trees will have access to better light needed to grow. The Mapuche Pewenche community have started to develop new managing concepts for A. araucana, they are cultivating their gardens with these trees. They are doing this with the idea that co-planting of A. araucana could be extended to interplanting Araucaria with other crops than willows such as corn or quinoa.
References:
Herrmann. (2006). Indigenous knowledge and management of Araucaria araucana forest in the Chilean Andes: implications for native forest conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation: 15:647–662. DOI 10.1007/s10531-005-2092-6
URL Link:
Applied Plant Ecology Winter 2020 