The effects of exposure to markets to the dependence and diversity of consumption of non timber forest products: a study in four Amazonian societies of Brazil and Bolivia

Author(s)

Laize Sampaio Chagas e Silva

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Eletrotécnica e Energia (IEE/BT)
• Defense date: 2015-02-27

Examining board members

Carla Morsello; Edson José Vidal da Silva; Paulo Antonio de Almeida Sinisgalli

• Advisor: Carla Morsello

Abstract

Autarkic and semi-autarkic societies, such as those inhabiting forested areas, consume non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) for several purposes such as food, construction, tools, personal care, among others. When these societies increase their exposure to the market economy, however, changes in their dependence and use of NTFPs may occur due to NTFP substitution by purchased products. In turn, these transformations may have implications to peoples well-being and forest conservation. Despite the importance of NTFP consumption to the inhabitants of forested regions and thus of understanding the effects of their opening to markets, little is known about the topic. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate how exposure to markets through NTFP trade affected the consumption of NTFPs in semi-autarkic Amazonian households. We departed from two main hypotheses. First, households more exposed to the NTFP markets should depend less on these products for their own consumption. Second, alternative markets should produce different effects: while higher income in guaranteed markets like those associated with commercial partnerships with companies should be associated with a reduced diversity in the categories of NTFPs consumed, this effect should disappear when market exposure was given by trade in traditional commodity markets. To test these hypotheses, we surveyed 156 households in six communities belonging to four Amazonian societies of Brazil and Bolivia. The data, collected between 1999 and 2005, came from interviews and two techniques of direct systematic observation (weigh day and time allocation). Results indicated that peoples dependence on the consumption of all NTFP types tends to decrease with both higher level of monetary income and the time devoted to NTFP markets, but consumption of NTFPs for food is not affected. In turn, increments in household monetary income though NTFP trade partnerships were associated with a lower richness of NTFP categories consumed, but not in their diversity (i.e. the uniformity index). In constrast, NTFP income was not associated with the richness and diversity of NTFP use categories for those households participating in commodity markets. These results point to possible effects of NTFP market even under optimal conditions and, therefore, the need to create public policies that encourage diverse use of NTFPs. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/19214-8 - The Effects of trading to the dependence and diversity of consumption of non timber forest products: a study in four Amazonian societies of Brazil and Bolivia
• Grantee: Laize Sampaio Chagas e Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master