XVI International Botanical Congess

Indigenous cultures have mastered a relationship with their natural surrounding that has assured both their physical and cultural existence. It is becoming increasingly accepted that indigenous cultures and their natural surroundings have been in a coevolutinary process. The extent of this co-dependence, however, is rapidly changing in scope. Traditional indigenous practices are now being replaced or accompanied by new practices, such as the marketing of timber and non-timber forest products. The expansion of the global economy has caused most indigenous cultures to rely on the cash economy to meet their basic and changing needs. The continuous coevolution of indigenous cultures and their natural surroundings now largely depends on successful economic alternatives that promote conservation of biocultural diversity. The marketing of medicinal plants offers such potential, as seen with Croton lechleri (sangre de drago) in western Amazon.