Community Forest Management of the Virola Jatobá Sustainable Development Project:

Abstract

Community forest management, if guided on sustainable bases, can guarantee the conservation of Vouacapoua americana Aublet, commonly called “acapu”, combined with economic gain for traditional Amazonian communities. This work aimed to analyze scenarios for the management of the species in the Virola-Jatobá Sustainable Development Project, municipality of Anapu. The acapu population accessed represented 18.6% of the trees in the forest, an average of five trees/ha and a volume estimate of 8.4 mÑ/ha. The species presented a grouped spatial distribution pattern, a diametric distribution curve in the form of “J-inverted”, giving good ecological characteristics of population stability, and approximately 90% of the shafts with good quality for handling. Ecological and economic results from different management scenarios were analyzed, using two exploration intensities and three marketing modalities. The exploration intensities used were low (2.6mÑ/ha), conditioned to the maintenance of the balanced diametric distribution (applying Liocourt’s “q” quotient method), and the maximum legally allowed (6.2mÑ/ha), which caused unbalance of the distribution of individuals in the diametric classes, in addition to drastic population reduction. The commercialization in cut piles, using local labor, was more profitable; while the sale of logs was not economically viable. The proposition of a less complex system with the management of acapu can guarantee sustainable socioeconomic benefits, leverage and empower community members to more complex forest management systems. It is suggested that community management of acapu be considered in development policies and in decision-making about forest resource management in areas where its occurrence is widespread.