CARACTERIZACIóN Y USOS TRADICIONALES DE PRODUCTOS FORESTALES NO MADERABLES (PFNM) EN EL CORREDOR DE CONSERVACIóN GUANTIVA - LA RUSIA - IGUAQUE

this study was conducted to identify species and characterize the traditional uses of non-timber forest products (ntfp). the study was developed with the community of the villages of el ajizal (moniquirá), carare (togüi), molinos sector piedesecho (soata) in the state of boyaca; batan and ture (coromoro), patios altos and canada (encino), and vegas de padua (onzaga) in the state of santander. three methods were used with the community: surveys, interviews and transect walks. we defined 13 categories of use for the zones: edible plants, medicinal plants, crafts, household utensils, tools, dyes and dyestuffs, melliferous, food wrap, magical religious, recreational, toxic, ornamental and fodder. the analysis was restricted to vascular plant species. three hundred and forty seven species included in 103 families were found, of which 174 are new records of ntfps in the colom bian andes. the most representative families were asteraceae, solanaceae, and lamiaceae, which is consistent with findings in other studies in andean communities. two new species for science were registered tillandsia sp. nov. aff. t. fasciculata sw. and meriania sp. nov., which are in the pro cess of being published. medicinal plants were the best represented followed by edible plants and then craft plants. relationships were found between use categories, age and gender of the population. fi nally, we prioritize 60 species that according to the perception of the community were the most im portant. crafts, edible plants and medicinal plants were the most important use categories, represent ed by species such as smilax tomentosa, aechmea veitchii and calycolpus moritzianus.