Harvesting free-standing fig trees for timber in Bolivia: potential implications for forest management

Abstract

The potential implications of harvesting fig ( Ficus) trees for timber in the tropical forests of eastern Bolivia was assessed through density estimates of mature fig tree species and fig tree regeneration, together with the density and phenology of tree species that provide important alternative food for frugivorous wildlife. Terrestrial (`free-standing') and hemi-epiphytic (`strangler') fig tree densities varied among four forests sampled (gallery, dry, sub-humid, and floodplain forests) from 0–3.3 to 1.6–6.7 trees/ha, respectively. However, only the sub-humid forest had significant densities of well-formed free-standing figs suitable for harvesting, out of which only 26% of the total density of mature free-standing figs were of commercial grade quality. Because of the scarcity of well-formed fig trees, the elimination of fig tree populations from these forests by overharvesting is unlikely. However, the elimination of well-formed individuals of species by over-harvesting is possible. Fig seedling and sapling density was low in all forest types, but was highest in areas with increased light and soil disturbance. Thus, while harvesting may reduce the density of mature fig trees available for wildlife, it may also create improved conditions for regeneration. Also, wildlife use of figs was not measured here, figs appear to play an important role in sustaining wildlife in these forests because of the scarcity of other tree species with fleshy fruits in all forest types at the end of the rainy season (April–May). While this study suggests that harvesting rates are not high enough to seriously jeopardize food availability for wildlife, it will be important to more closely define permissible harvesting levels for fig tree species that do not significantly impact frugivorous wildlife species.