Abstract: The reductionist and disciplinary paradigm of the Green Revolution coexists with the emerging paradigm of complexity, which values the holistic and the interdisciplinary. Agroecology promotes the need to understand the multiple biophysical relationships that exist in agroecosystems, and this calls for the development of new methodological tools. Sustainability indicators are an example of this. However, their implementation is not simple, as this requires an instrument to simplify the construction of such indicators. The objective of this work is to use the “mental map” as a guide for the development and application of indicators. The graph follows the conceptual path that facilitates the understanding of the variable and its breakdown into smaller and measurable units of analysis, i.e. the indicators. The created mental map has two stages: the development of indicators and their application. Its utility is presented in a case study that addresses local environmental knowledge (LEK). The results of this work show that complexity can be translated into quantifiable, measurable, and comparable variables, without this representing the loss of its characteristics. In addition, it proves that the created tool facilitates the evaluation and understanding of the functioning of agroecosystems, which contributes to decision-making.

O presente estudo analisou o estado da arte das sementes tradicionais, crioulas ou landraces no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Através de uma amostragem não probabilística, foi realizado um estudo etnográfico em 13 propriedades de oito municípios pertencentes às regiões da Grande Porto Alegre, Serra, Planalto Médio, Depressão Central e Serra do Sudeste. A pesquisa diagnosticou uma grande diversidade de plantas cultivadas de origem remota, mantidas nas propriedades dos agricultores tradicionais através de bancos de sementes. Ao todo, foram identificadas 39 espécies de plantas, distribuídas em 12 famílias botânicas, totalizando 258 apontamentos de plantas cultivadas crioulas no total dos entrevistados. A preferência da utilização de sementes crioulas, de acordo com relatos dos agricultores entrevistados, foi atribuída principalmente a características como a adaptabilidade, valorização dos costumes, o sabor e qualidade das variedades tradicionais, além do baixo custo de produção. Em relação às dificuldades de sua manutenção, as mais freqüentes foram o desinteresse das novas gerações e a dificuldade em trocar e obter sementes. Foram, ainda, diagnosticadas estratégias de manutenção de variedades tradicionais desenvolvidas nas diferentes regiões como alternativas à conservação.<br>This study investigated the state of the art of traditional, or landrace seeds in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. An ethnographic study was carried out by means of a non-statistical seed sampling in 13 farms from eight municipalities lying in the regions of the Greater Porto Alegre, Serra, Planalto Médio, Depressão Central and Serra do Sudeste. A broad diversity of ancient plants was observed. These species survive in the farms with the help of a seed bank. All in all, 39 plant species were characterized, distributed in 12 families, totaling 258 instances of landrace seeds grown in the farms visited. According to the farmers, the preference for landrace seeds is due chiefly to seed adaptability, better flavor and quality of the produce grown therefrom, valuablezation of customs and lower production costs. As regards seed upkeep, the most common difficulties mentioned were the lack of interest by the younger generations, and the obstacles in swapping and obtaining seeds. Alternatives to the upkeep of traditional seeds developed in different zones were also discussed as choices to plant conservation.