Ecological bases for sustainable harvesting in the Amazon: importance of population regulation and habitat variation in demography of Euterpe precatoria (açaí)
Management, Population growth, Central Amazon, Non-timber forest products; Protected areas.
The assessment of the impact of harvesting activities on plant populations is of great importance to define strategies for the conservation of tropical forests. We are developing a study of açaí palm tree (Euterpe precatoria Mart.) in the Brazilian Amazon, as their fruits are of great importance to the local economy. We have been monitoring more than 5000 individual açai for 3 years, and we are also analyzing socioeconomic aspects of the production chain. We expect to shed light on the ecological bases for management of the species and contribute with decision making on management actions, planning and zoning in protected areas.