Local knowledge of the flora of a region: implications in biodiversity conservation

B. What is the perception of the students about the importance of the flora for identity, tradition/culture? B1. Students perceive the flora as an emblem of the region? B2. Which species of flora students consider as most emblematic? B3. What is the perception of the students about the importance of the flora in tradition/culture? B4. What is the perception of the students about the importance of agricultural crops and forest species in tradition /culture?

C1.What is the perception of the students regarding the economic importance of the flora in general?C2.What is the perception of the students about the importance of the main agricultural crops and pastures?
C3.What is the perception of the students about the importance of the main forest species?D. What is the perception of the students on the importance of the flora for the preservation of biodiversity?
D1.What is the perception of the students about the importance of preservation of rare plants?
D2.What is the perception of the students about the importance of preserving vegetation types?
D3.What is the perception of the students about the importance of the flora in the preservation of habitats for other species?
D4.What is the perception of the students about the importance of the flora in the preservation of soil/water?D5.What is the perception of students in relation to impacts resulting from changes in land cover?
D6.What is the perception of the students regarding the possibility that some plants may have a negative impact on human activities or the environment?

Questionnaire (Translated from Portuguese)
This questionnaire is applied within the framework of the master degree in Plant Biodiversity and Biotechnology, from the Biology Department of the Azores University.We aim to study the perception of the students regarding the Azorean Flora.Your participation is fundamental.There are no right or wrong answers.Answer according to your own ideas.The questionnaire is anonymous.
Besides the required information, used to characterize the students' sample, no more personal information or identification is required.Thank you for your cooperation.26.For the economy, and according to your view, the main forest species of the archipelago are: (For each forest species, select 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, from 1less important up to 5most important.)

Positive Impact Negative Impact
34.In your opinion, the agricultural crops with the largest environmental impact: (For each agricultural crop, select 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, from 1less impact up to 5most impact.)

Positive Impact Negative Impact
Less impact

Positive Impact Negative Impact
20. Regarding culture and tradition, and base on your understanding, the main agricultural crops of the Azores are: (For each agricultural crop, select 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, from 1less important up to 5 culture and tradition, and base on your understanding, the main forest species of the Azores are: (For each forest species, select 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, from 1less important up to 5 Acacia melanoxylon Criptomé ria -Cryptomeria japonica Eucalipto -Eucalyptus globulus Faia-da-terra -Morella faya Incenso -Pittosporum undulatum Pinheiro -Pinus spp.Plá tano -Platanus orientalis Vinhá tico -Persea indica Other, which?22.In your opinion, the Azorean flora is important: (For each activity, select 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, from 1less important up to 5most important.)For the production of exportable goods For the production of traditional goods For the production of food and goods for the residents For the production of biofuel Other, which?23.For the economy, and according to your view, indicate the three main agricultural crops of the archipelago.24.For the economy, and according to your view, the main agricultural crops of the archipelago are: (For each agricultural crop, select 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, from 1less important up to 5 the economy, and according to your view, indicate the three main forest species of the archipelago. up to three reasons why the Azorean flora is important for the preservation of the Biodiversity and of th eenvironment 28.Indicate up to three consequences resulting from changes in plant cover 29.Indicate up to three consequences resulting from uncontrolled introduction and spread of alien plants.30.Considering Biodiversity and environmental preservation, the main functions of the Azorean flora are: (For each function, select 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, from 1less important up to 5most important.)plants Preservation of vegetation (e.g.juniper woodland) Protection of the fauna (e.g.priôlo) Protection of water resources (e.g.water streams, lakes) Mitigation of climate change Soil formation and protection (e.g.avoid erosion) Other, which?31.Regarding changes in plant cover, according to your view, the main consequences for the Azores are: (For each consequence, select 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, from 1less important up to 5 and endangered plant populations Natural disasters in water stream margins Proliferation of introduced and invasive plants Degradation of water quality (e.g. in lakes)Increased erosion and soil lossOther, which?32.Regarding the uncontrolled introduction and spread of alien plants, according to your view, the main consequences for the Azores are: (For each consequence, select 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, from 1less important up to 5most important.)terms of the environment as a whole, agricultural crops might lead to positive or negative consequences, with varying intensity.Indicate up to three agricultural crops which you consider could lead to the largest positive or negative impacts in the Azores.
terms of the environment as a whole, forest species might lead to positive or negative consequences, with varying intensity.Indicate up to three forest species which you consider could lead to the largest positive or negative impacts in the Azores.

up to three information sources that you have used to obtain information about the Azorean flora.
Based in your opinion, the Azorean Flora is essentially constituted by: (Use (X) to select the most appropriate option).According to your own concept, select (X), each of the following species, exclusively as Endemic, Native, Introduced or Invasive.For each topic on the table, and considering the Azores, indicate the name of a plant that, for you, is more related with the indicated word.
17. Indicate which species of the flora you consider as more emblematic to the Azores archipelago.18.Indicate the motive of your choice: (Select using (X) the option you consider as more adequate).