Fishermen do more than fish: local ecological knowledge of raftsmen about the arboreal species used to construct rafts (Bahia, Brazil)

Table 2 Traditional raft components used in the South of Bahia (Brazil) with their functions, characteristics of wood allocated by the raftsmen to the species used in the production of these components

Components of the raft	Function	Wood characteristics
Ballast	Support all other components of the rafts and the crew on the surface of the water	Trunk: light, floating and rectilinear
Canga	Position the mast so that it remains vertically	Soft and should not break in splinters
Carrinha	Support for the mast	Tough in relation to weight
Morão	Position the canga and the van in parallel, enabling the sustaining of the mast	Resistant in relation to durability and rectilinear
Lathe	Used at the junction of the ballast logs	Resistant
Aracambu	Used to store nylon strings, baskets, baggage	Resistant in relation to durability and rectilinear
Stool	Seat in the pulp to the master and bow to the partner	Resistant in relation to durability
Stretch	Used to open and stretch the sail	Lightweight and rectilinear
Mast	Used to tie the sail cloth	Rectilinear, tough and flexible
Rod	Accessory used to go into and out of the sea	Light, floating and rectilinear
Hand paddle	Accessory used in the absence of the engine for the displacement of the boat	Any one that is not too heavy
Driving paddle	Accessory manipulated by the master of the raft. Used to steer or give direction for the displacement of the boat	Heavy