"Wild Cashew Brings Many Benefits and Even Beauty": Use and Extraction of Anacardium Occidentale L. (cajui) by Communities in the Parnaiba River Delta, Northeastern Brazil

Natural populations of cajui (Anacardium occidentale L.) are ecologically and socioeconomically important for many people in Northeastern Brazil. This study focuses on the use and management of wild cashew in the communities Canarias, in Maranhao, and Labino and Barrinha, in Piaui. Semi-structured forms were applied to 88 participants. The Use Diversity (UDs) and Plant Part Value (PPV) indexes were calculated and a multivariate linear regression analysis was performed. Most (73%) the interviewees were women. Cajui was mainly used for food (UDs: 0.87), forage (0.08), medicinal preparations (0.03), and fuel (0.02). The hypocarp had the highest PPV (0.76). Cajui fruits are collected by groups, in the forest (50%), during the harvest season (July to October). Cajui has great socioeconomic importance for the communities studied and allow the continuity of the cultural identity associated with socio-biodiversity.