Abstract
The neotropical palm Euterpeprecatoria is subject to extraction for its valuable palm heart. The development of management and conservation practices for this species requires understanding of its population structure, dynamics, and traditional use across the range of environments it inhabits, from different successional stages in continuous forest to forest fragments. Here, we analyzed how the population structure of E. precatoria varies with successional stage, fragmentation, and exposure to extraction, Since E. precatoria recruitment increases with disturbance, we expected seedling density to be higher in secondary forests and fragments relative to primary forests. The study was conducted from 2007-2008 in the Caribbean Slope of Costa Rica at Braulio Carrillo National Park (BCNP), La Selva Biological Station (LSBS), Manú Center, and Finca El Progreso (FEP). The first two sites had continuous primary and secondary forests (BCNP had one extracted primary forest); the last two consisted of primary forest fragments. Population structure was variable, with greater densities in the extracted primary forest, and in the secondary forests, as compared to primary forests and fragments. Palms < 5 m across all sites represented 50-90% of the total number of individuals. In sites that suffered historical over-extraction, local communities have lost the tradition of consuming this species. Understanding how population dynamics is affected by extraction and succession is essential to the design of sustainable management programs rooted in community participation.
Highlights
Manzi & Coomes 2008, Weinstein & Moegenburg 2004), which is influencing the population structure and geographic distribution of many species through cultivation, extraction, and fragmentation (Bonesso-Sampaio et al 2007, Endress et al 2004, Flores & Ashton 2000)
Study sites: This study was conducted during April, August and November from 2007 to 2008 at four sites along the Caribbean Slope of Costa Rica: Braulio Carrillo National Park (BCNP), La Selva Biological Station (LSBS), Manú Center (Manú) and Finca El Progreso (FEP)
Palm density varied almost two orders of magnitude among studied sites (920 individuals per Ha at LSBS secondary forest compared with 36 individuals per Ha in the primary forest of BCNP, Table 1)
Summary
Manzi & Coomes 2008, Weinstein & Moegenburg 2004), which is influencing the population structure and geographic distribution of many species through cultivation, extraction, and fragmentation (Bonesso-Sampaio et al 2007, Endress et al 2004, Flores & Ashton 2000). Intensive palm extraction is linked to habitat fragmentation; the combination of both factors cause significant changes in population structure and genetic diversity. A typical extraction bout lasting three days could remove more than 300 individuals close to 20m in height (Avalos 2007) This practice started as a cultural Easter tradition involving the extraction of a handful of stems per household, but has evolved into an important underground commercial activity feeding local black markets year round (Sylvester & Avalos 2009). As opposed to families, exert the majority of extraction pressure on wild palms, and the overexploitation caused by this activity threatens forest diversity and function, as well as the survival of inherently valuable traditions. Understanding the factors that influence population structure is critical to secure the long-term viability of this species, improve its current conservation status and management practices, and maintain its cultural significance
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