Resumo O Parque Natural das Lagoas de Cufada (PNLC) foi criado em 2000 no sul da Guiné-Bissau e tem uma área de cerca de 720 km2. As Lagoas de Cufada, Bedasse e Bionra, que dão nome ao Parque, são importantes para muitas espécies de aves migratórias, o que esteve na base da classificação como sítio Ramsar, zona húmida de importância internacional. O PNLC enfrenta ameaças e desafios relacionados com a compatibilização da conservação da natureza com os interesses das populações residentes e o desenvolvimento do país. Além de intervenções de agentes externos, algumas práticas de uso corrente pelas populações residentes têm impactes na flora e fauna do Parque. Neste sentido, um desafio importante é como promover a mudança de práticas instituídas para uma maior sustentabilidade na utilização dos recursos naturais. Um adequado planeamento e uma visão estratégica em que a conservação do ambiente seja um vetor importante são fundamentais para um desenvolvimento sustentável a longo prazo na área do PNLC.

Abstract The Parque Natural das Lagoas de Cufada (PNLC) was created in 2000 in the south of Guinea-Bissau and has an area of about 720 km2. The Cufada, Bedasse and Bionra Lagoons, which give the Park its name, are important for many species of migratory birds, which was the basis for classification as a Ramsar site, a wetland of international importance. The PNLC faces threats and challenges related with the compatibility of nature conservation with the interests of the resident populations and the development of the country. In addition to interventions by external agents, some practices commonly used by resident populations have impacts on the flora and fauna of the Park. In this sense, a major challenge is how to promote the change of established practices for greater sustainability in the use of natural resources. Adequate planning and a strategic vision in which environmental conservation is an important vector are fundamental to long-term sustainable development in the PNLC area.

In recent decades a boom in cashew (Anacardium occidentale)cultivation has taken place in Guinea-Bissau, leading to the replacement of traditional slash-and-burn agriculture by a cash crop. As a result, the country is currently one of the world’s largest producers of raw cashew nuts and the cashew sector has acquired enormous importance in Guinea-Bissau’s economy. Changes induced by the cashew boom at social and environmental levels are yet to be analyzed and understood. The present study provides an account of the process of cashew expansion in Guinea-Bissau, reviews the current situation and discusses its future prospects. The cashew tree was introduced into the country by the Portuguese in the XIXth century, but only effectively expanded in the mid-1980s. It is largely cultivated by small farmers around villages and also plays a role in land ownership, since land tenure practices are linked to the planting of trees. The effects of this cashew boom on habitat fragmentation, fire regimes and biodiversity are still to be assessed. On the other hand, the spread of pests and diseases is becoming a problem. Strong dependence on a single cash crop also renders the country vulnerable to market fluctuations, entailing risks to local producers and the national economy. In the medium term, losses of export earnings can occur, which may impact the living standards and food security of Bissau-Guineans both in urban and rural areas.

O artigo revisita o espólio histórico-científico aduzido pela Missão Botânica de Moçambique (1942-1948) à guarda do Jardim Botânico Tropical do Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical (Lisboa), destacando os cadernos de campo dos seus coletores, com o objetivo de identificar os usos medicinais tradicionais da flora moçambicana. Tendo-se coligido informação relativa a 71 taxa (setenta espécies e um género), identificou-se a utilização medicinal de 34 espécies presumivelmente ainda não reportada para Moçambique, entre as quais, cinco cujo uso terapêutico ainda não havia sido atribuído ao continente africano. No total registaram-se 58 utilizações presumivelmente ainda não relatadas em Moçambique.

This article reviews the historical and scientific findings of the Botanic Mission to Mozambique (1942-1948) under the Tropical Botanic Garden of the Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical, in Lisbon, highlighting the collectors’ field notes with the aim of identifying the traditional medicinal uses of Mozambican flora. Having collated information on 71 taxa (70 species and one genus), the medicinal usage of 34 species presumably not yet reported in Mozambique was identified, including five whose therapeutic use still had not yet been described in the African continent. Overall, 58 uses presumably not yet reported in Mozambique were recorded.