Variation in Food and Nutritional Stability Among Amazonian Populations Living in a Context of Dramatic Seasonal Flooding

Tregidgo D.; Piperata B.A.; de Lima J.J.S.; Inglez M.; Valsecchi J. · Human Ecology (2023) · DOI: 10.1007/s10745-023-00433-w

Resumen

Central Amazonian rivers annually inundate farmland and expand aquatic habitats, making fish harder to catch. Little attention has been paid to date as to whether this hydrological regime impacts human dietary intakes, and, if so, whether impacts vary between communities in seasonally flooded (várzea) and non-flooded (terra firme) zones. To address this gap, we collected dietary data on over 8,000 meals in six várzea and three terra firme communities during the hydrological cycle, and calculated energy and macronutrient intake. Diets were dominated by fish (44%), the main source of protein and fat, and manioc flour (26%), the main source of energy and carbohydrates. Fish consumption fell as water levels rose. This resulted in reduced energy and macronutrient intake in the várzea, but not the terra firme, where wild meat and fruits helped maintain protein and fat intake, respectively. Our data demonstrate seasonal instability of dietary intake, with resilience provided by access to permanently unflooded land.