Availability and Potential Use of Non-Wood Forest Products (Nwfps) in a Traditional Community of the Amazon

Abstract

Background: Tropical forests maintain much of the planet's biodiversity and one of the main strategies to conserve them is the sustainable exploitation of non-wood forest products (NWFPs). In the Amazon, non-wood forest products are a vital resource for the survival of a large portion of the residents who are living near the forests. In addition, to subsistence and income potential, these products provide food security. However, the use of NWFPs as a source of income for the inhabitants of forest regions are presenting some difficulties. Objective: This work aimed to evaluate the potential species for nonwood forest products in a community located in the Amazon. Results: We evaluated two studied areas in the community of Ponta de Pedras, Santarém, Pará. The results show a total of 2,425 arboreal individuals and 296 palm trees. Analyzing the number of arboreal individuals, 84 species were included in area I and 61 in area II, including potential and non-potential species for NWFPs exploitation. We identified 4 arboreal species indicated for NWFPs that are used by the community and 3 palm trees indicated for NWFP that are not used. The interviewees mentioned 32 species belonging to 21 botanical families used in the community, being Fabaceaethe most representative family with 6 species. The use of the NWFPs in Ponta de Pedras are mainly destined to self-consumption, with a small proportion destined to commercialization with other localities. Conclusion: The species Anacardium occidentale L., Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl and Carapa guianensis Aubl were the species that presented the greatest potential for NWFP, although they were not present in the study area according to the Forest Inventory. The sample inventory, together with the semi-structured questionnaire, found that there is a lack of raw material potential for NTFP trade in the community of Ponta de Pedras.