The Caatinga is a priority area for biodiversity conservation in Brazil. In these areas there are many communities of farmers that maintain traditional agricultural practices which are vital for on farm conservation. The aim of this study was a survey on the socioeconomic and cultural profile of stallholders, identifying species and managements in their farms that favor on farm conservation of the diversity of cultivated species. The influence of the area of cultivated land on the richness and abundance of plants was analyzed. The survey was carried out through visits to street markets and family farmer units located in the municipality of Jequié - BA, Northeastern Brazil. Twenty-eight species were cited for food utilization, belonging to 17 families, totalling 75 etnovarieties. The influence of the area of cultivated land on the species richness showed low correlation (r = 0.29, p < 0.01), but showed a strong correlation (r = 0.69, p <0.01) on species abundance. Most farmers have little formal schooling and low income. The occurrence of on farm conservation was detected in the studied areas.
Agrosystem; germplasm and preservation
