The Contribution of Memory in Studies of Rural Development: a View about the Riparian Forests of Caraá, Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

This study presents the theoretical perspective of collective memory and the combined use of distinct methodological tools as a proposal to comprehend the perceptions of family farmers about the areas known as riparian forests, as a subsidy to reflect on rural development. The study site is the township of Caraá, Rio Grande do Sul, where the source of one of the most polluted rivers in Brazil - Rio dos Sinos – is located. The research involved 25 families in the period between April and June 2013. From the instruments known as timeline and map of the area, in addition to conducting site reconnaissance walks, the meanings and uses of riparian areas could be identified. During the construction of the timeline - where the reports were exposed freely and within the broader context of the trajectory of families – the meanings attributed to riparian forests were different from those exposed after questioning about why the area was maintained. In this last case, ecological aspects prevailed. The design of the area enabled a reflective process about the current configuration of space, and most families included riparian forests in the illustration. The joint analysis of information obtained from different methodological tools allowed to recognize different perceptions of riparian forests as their relationship with a narrow strip of vegetation, at the same time in which it was cited as “preserved” or “unused”. Studies of collective memory associating different methodological tools are presented, thus, as challenging proposals in comprehension of perceptions, becoming an important way to the understanding of the complexities inherent to rural environment.