DEMOGRAPHY OF Astrocaryum malybo H.Karst. (ARECACEAE) IN COLOMBIA, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ITS MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION

Abstract

The palm Astrocaryum malybo is an endangered species growing in forest remnants in the Caribbean lowlands of Colombia, where its spear leaves provide fiber for a flourishing artisanal activity. We studied the palm's population structure and dynamics near the town of Chimichagua, Cesar, in order to provide ecological information required for its management and conservation. We modeled population growth and fiber production in the next 20 years under different management scenarios using Integral Projection Models. Although there was a low proportion of seedlings and population structure was variable, the population would grow for the next 20 years, with an annual growth rate of 7.1%, yielding ca. 35 spear leaves/ha/year for artisanal activity. Simulations of the model show that the population is susceptible to alterations that affect the survival of individuals; removal of as few as 34 palms of any size per ha/year would cause the population to decrease, and spear leaf production will decline accordingly. Conversely, any increase in seedling growth or survival would lead to population growth. If properly managed, A. malybo is a key species for conservation of the dry forest relicts in the Caribbean lowlands of Colombia. Keywords: Arecaceae, handicraft, Integral Projection Model, NTFP, plant fibers. ResumenLa palma Astrocaryum malybo es una especie en peligro que crece en relictos de bosque en las tierras bajas del Caribe colombiano, donde sus cogollos suministran fibra para una próspera actividad artesanal. Se estudiaron su estructura y dinámica poblacional en Chimichagua, Cesar, con el fin de suministrar información ecológica para su manejo y conservación. Se modeló el crecimiento poblacional y la producción de fibra durante los próximos 20 años bajo diferentes escenarios de manejo, usando modelos de Proyección Integral. Aunque se encontró una baja proporción de plántulas y variaciones en la estructura poblacional, la población tenderá a crecer en los próximo 20 años, con una tasa anual de 7.1 %, suministrando cerca de 35 cogollos/ha/ año para la actividad artesanal. La modelación de escenarios muestra que la población es susceptible http://dx

Phenology, biometrics and fruits production of Attalea nucifera (Arecaceae) in Colombia

“…The influence of crown size on the frequency of appearance of the reproductive structures has already been documented in A. phalerata (Tucker et al, 2018) and A. butyracea (Olivares and Galeano, 2013). Thus, larger palms could play a significant role as individual seed sources in the regeneration of the population, as observed in Astrocaryum malybo H.Karst., whose older individuals favor population recovery in relict forests of the Colombian Caribbean (García et al, 2017). The remaining biometric variables, like petiole diameter and the number of veins, do not seem to influence the production of reproductive structures, despite their positive (but weak) correlation with several reproductive parameters.…”

Especies forestales con potencial agroforestal en el Consejo ComunitarioAlto Mira y Frontera (Tumaco, Colombia)

“…[12] afirma que los sistemas agroforestales en su mayoría presentan especies autóctonas que los agricultores han gestionado tradicionalmente. Asimismo [13] resaltan que la introducción de las especies arbóreas en sistemas agroforestales aumenta la disponibilidad de madera, reduce la presión sobre los fragmentos de bosque, promueve la protección de los remanentes forestales y genera una fuente de ingresos para las comunidades locales.…”