OMBÚes: Practices and Landscape Representations of the Humid Pampas

Phytolacca dioica is the scientific name of the plant species that serves as a thread in this story. Ombu tree is its common name in Uruguay, the focus of origin of this study. It is an emblematic species of the Pampa and it is fundamental in the Uruguayan landscape identity. The ombu tree is a purpose and a means of a research and education work that links art with human, social and natural sciences. This work studies the extrapolation of ombu tree qualities to landscape values that are expressed in practices, knowledge and representations associated with the humid Pampas. This project raises awareness and sensitizes about the value of landscapes and local stories in interaction with natural components. This strengthens the collective responsibility towards our heritage, as well as territorial and cultural integration. The conceptual premises are applied to the methodology and a collaborative work strategy is followed. In-person activities are linked with ICT (content portal www.ombúes.edu.uy). There is a continuous round-trip between the popularization of scientific culture and the wisdom of popular culture, building knowledge in a transdisciplinary way.