Survey of the technical parameters for managing a sustainable income from species with medicinal potential, native to the Atlantic Rain Forest

• Grant number: 00/07623-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: May 01, 2001
• End date: February 29, 2004
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Forestry Resources and Forestry Engineering - Forest Management
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre Mariot
• Grantee: Alexandre Mariot
• Company: Atlântica Assessoria Agroambiental Ltda
• City: Registro

Abstract

This survey has as its objective the evaluation of the potential for the sustained exploration of medicinal plants native to the Tropical Atlantic Rain Forest, complying with the legislation in effect, from the exploratory process to commercialization, contributing to an improvement in the local population’s standard of living. In the region of the Ribeira Valley the greatest stretch of unbroken forestry cover in the Tropical Atlantic Rain Forest (TARF) can be found. The largest part of this area shows a typical forest activity, where the consequent use is restricted to management strategies for the permanent maintenance of the forestry cover. Under these conditions, the alternative of managing a sustainable income is the most viable option, balancing economic return and the conservation of nature. Initially, a survey of the plants used by the local communities in the curing and prevention of illnesses will be carried out, aiming to steer the choice of the target species of this project. Once the plants have been chosen, demographic surveys will be made in permanent forest stands, looking towards the verification of the abundance of these species and the availability of the biomass suitable for exploitation, seeking fundamental strategies for sustainable management. (AU)