What yerba are we talking about? Wild yerba mate: Knowledge and acceptability of conservation

Rodrigo A. Olano; Ana Paola Yusti-Muñoz; Francisco Zorondo-Rodríguez; Javier A. Simonetti

doi:10.25260/EA.25.35.3.0.2554

Authors

Rodrigo A. Olano Department of Environmental Systems, Faculty of Agronomy, University of the Republic. Uruguay
Ana Paola Yusti-Muñoz Department of Ecological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile
Francisco Zorondo-Rodríguez Laboratory for the Interdisciplinary Analysis of Socio-Ecological Systems (LIASES), Department of Agricultural Management, University of Santiago de Chile and ESMOI-Center for Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands. Chile
Javier A. Simonetti Department of Ecological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.25.35.3.0.2554

Keywords:

social perception, Ilex paraguariensis, voluntary measures

Abstract

This study assessed the perceptions and acceptance of conservation strategies for native populations of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in Uruguay. A total of 770 individuals (101 farmers and 669 members of the general public) participated in structured surveys. Only 11.7% of respondents could identify the plant, with farmers demonstrating significantly higher recognition ability. Willingness to conserve the species was high (92.3%), primarily driven by its cultural significance. Four conservation strategies on private lands were evaluated: protected areas, conservation payments, species management and legal regulations. Acceptance varied among groups: farmers preferred voluntary measures (e.g., conservation payments), while the general public supported protected areas and regulations more strongly. Our analysis indicated that the acceptance depended on factors such as cost-benefit perceptions of protected areas and species recognition. These findings suggest that the cultural value of yerba mate may serve as a key driver, highlighting the need for participatory strategies that reconcile environmental protection with local community interests.

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