Economic and ecological potential of Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) community management in Almeirim-PA region

• Grant number: 13/13284-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2013
• End date: February 28, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Forestry Resources and Forestry Engineering - Forest Management
• Principal Investigator: Edson José Vidal da Silva
• Grantee: Renata Bergamo Caramez
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In recent decades, the management of non timber forest products has received great emphasis in the context of tropical forests as an opportunity for the association between environmental conservation and economic development. Above all, it has been touted as an alternative to sustainable forest development within traditional communities, in view especially the diversity, abundance and multifunctionality ascribed to such products. This study aims to assess the economic and ecological potential and to develop principles for sustainable forest management of Castanheira (Bertholletia excelsa) for communities from Almeirim-PA region, based on the ecology of the species, the good practices of sustainable forest management and the community economic planning of its supply chain. For this, will be accomplished: i. characterization of the demographic structure,regeneration and productivity of natural populations of Bertholletia excelsa; ii. assessment of perception, interest and social organization of Almeirim communities around the management of Castanheira; iii. survey and analysis of current practices employed in the management, and the development of a best practice guide for forest management of the species in the region of Almeirim; iv. evaluation of the economic viability of community management and marketing of Castanheira. It will be raised by collecting data in the field for ecological information; interviews, observations and meetings with communities studied, and analysis of the supply chain and the market potential for the economic evaluation. Finally, the results will be unified into a general assessment of the viability of the venture community around the management and marketing of products from Bertholletia excelsa. (AU)