Implications from the Use of Non-timber Forest Products on the Consumption of Wood as a Fuel Source in Human-Dominated Semiarid Landscapes

Abstract

Little is known about what possible effects on wood resources might be caused by non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Here, we assessed the patterns of fuelwood consumption related to an NTFP (Caryocar coriaceum) oil extraction and how this non-domestic activity can indirectly increase the use pressure on fuelwood species in a protected area, semiarid of Brazil. We conducted semi-structured interviews, in situ inventories, phytosociological surveys, and analyses of wood quality to identify the set of woody plants used in oil production. Householders use large volumes of dry wood and a set of woody species, which are highly exploited. Additionally, many preferred species have low fuel potential and suffer much use pressure. The best fuelwood species are underused, what requires management strategies to improve their potential as a source of energy. As a result, we suggest some conservation and management actions of fuelwood resources related to the use of NTFPs.

Uso de recursos madeireiros em duas comunidades rurais de Angical do Piauí/PI, Brasil

“…Verificou-se destaque para as famílias Fabaceae (22), Anacardiaceae, Arecaceae, Bignoniaceae e Combretaceae (4). A família Fabaceae se destaca no número de espécies em muitos estudos e, como exemplos, têm-se: , com 13 espécies, Nascimento (2013), com 17 espécies, Cavalcanti et al (2015), com 10 espécies. Também Specht et al (2015) citou 17 espécies e na investigação de Vieira (2014) foram referidas 24 espécies.…”

“…Categorias de uso com menos espécies tendem a concentrar o impacto da extração em menor número de espécies, tornando--se, assim, mais impactantes nas populações vegetais. Além disso, espécies preferidas podem vir a sofrer maior pressão de coleta (Cavalcanti et al, 2015) e tal fato pode contribuir na modificação das populações vegetais de espécies preferidas nessas categorias ao longo do tempo (Tunholi et al, 2013). Depreende-se parcialmente, portanto, que a categoria construção, por apresentar mais espécies citadas, apresenta o impacto de extração mais distribuído entre as espécies.…”

Pequi (Caryocar coriaceum Wittm., Caryocaraceae) Oil Production: A strong economically influenced tradition in the Araripe region, northeastern Brazil

“…The oil is extracted from the pulp and almond (Oliveira 2009). Additionally, the timber is used in construction and as fuelwood (Cavalcanti et al 2015). Many families in the communities located in the vicinity of Araripe National Forest are economically dependent on the harvest of pequi.…”

“…An important popular celebration called the Pequi Collectors' Ranch Festival occurs at the end of pequi harvest in the Barreiro Novo settlement (Cavalcanti et al 2015, Sousa 2014. During this festival, people from other municipalities and communities gather to celebrate the end of the harvest.…”

Human perceptions of landscape change: The case of a monodominant forest of Attalea speciosa Mart ex. Spreng (Northeast Brazil)

“…Using local knowledge and perception, it is possible to evaluate changes that have occurred in certain landscapes and their causal factors (Xu et al 2006). Additionally, research on local human knowledge and perception enables collection of valuable ethnobotanical information that is central to the development of management strategies and the sustainable use of environmental resources, especially when considering human populations in protected areas (Lykke 2000;Cavalcanti et al 2015).…”