Amana Sustainable Development Reserve Research Articles

First record of the Andean Flamingo in the Brazilian Amazon

On May 29 th 2007, three fishermen observed an “unknown” bird, “swimming” on the Igarape do Bare, a stream inside the Amana Sustainable Development Reserve. Since they had never spotted that bird species before, they shot and donated it to the Mamiraua Sustainable Development Institute (IDSM). The specimen is an Andean Flamingo Phoenicoparrus andinus and is housed at the Ornithological Collection of IDSM. This is the first record of the Andean Flamingo for the state of Amazonas and the Brazilian Amazon.

Local Networks of knowledge, production, and circulation of handcrafted objects made by artisans in the Amanã Reserve

This paper refers to the knowhow and skills involved in the production of artisanal objects in three communities located in the Amana Sustainable Development Reserve (RDSA) in the middle Solimoes river: Belo Monte, Sao Jose do Urini and Sitio Cachimbo. When analyzing techniques and the traditional knowledge associated to handcrafting, we have identified that the process of production and circulation of objects is carried out using productive strategies that involve different social agents related by kin and compadrio bonds. Ethnographic studies focus on qualitative methodologies, emphasizing participatory observation. The aim of this article is to describe and analyze networks related to production and circulation of artisanal objects, their productive strategies and the context of the social transmission of knowledge. An informal work contract of mutual help (trabalho de meia) is one of the pillars of handcrafting. This productive arrangement enables access to natural resources used as raw materials in the making of handicrafts for domestic use and sale. Teaching and learning processes are fundamental components for the reproduction of knowledge between generations.

New records of phlebotomine fauna (Diptera, Psychodidae) in the Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve, Amazonas, Brazil.

This paper presents the preliminary results of a survey of phlebotomine fauna collected in the Amana Sustainable Development Reserve. This group of insects has public health importance due to the fact that they are vectors of Leishmaniasis. Over three days of collection, 440 specimens of nine species were identified, with two new registrations: one for Brazil and another for the State of Amazonas.

Livestock raising in the Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve, Amazonas State.

Livestock activities in the Amana Sustainable Development Reserve (RDSA) involve the production of cattle and buffalo in an extensive system, and are aimed at raising income and savings. As an expanding activity with high environmental impact potential, livestock is a focus of current discussion in this protected area. This study aimed to characterize livestock ranching activities and ranchers in the RDSA, highlighting key factors of production and management dynamics, as well as key impact indicators. For this purpose, we conducted semi-structured questionnaires with all 58 ranchers and geo-referenced their grazing areas. Areas of natural fields used as pasture were calculated through the use of satellite images. The main impact indicators identified for local livestock activity include: cultivated field growth, the increased use of varzea grasslands, and buffalo herd growth. To control the expansion of this activity, we suggest the development of regulations to guide herd management and the use of productive environments involved in ranching activities.

Sustainable Use of Calathea lutea in Handicrafts: A Case Study from the Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve in the Brazilian Amazon

Sustainable Use of Calathea lutea in Handicrafts: A Case Study from the Amana Sustainable Development Reserve in the Brazilian Amazon. This study evaluated the local harvest and use of Calathea lutea, an herb used in basket weaving by residents of floodplain communities in the Amana Sustainable Development Reserve (RDSA). C. lutea is associated with early successional stages of secondary vegetation or abandoned fields, often found alone in monospecific stands, called cauacuzais. We describe the biology and ecology of C. lutea, including distribution, abundance, and resource availability using GIS and field inventory methods. We measured the area of each surveyed and georeferenced C. lutea stand and estimated the production and consumption of mature stalks in this area. With this information, we estimated the current status of the extractive use of this plant. C. lutea grows vigorously and flowers continuously with an average of 1,699 (+/- 754) clumps ha-1 in the stands. The total 41 georeferenced stands cover an area of 26 ha, with an estimated 44,200 clumps and 850,000 mature stalks. In 2006, approximately 15,000 mature stalks were used by artisans, about 2 % of the available stock. Therefore, the present stock meets artisans´ demand with no evidence that the species is suffering from overharvesting. We also observed that the species inhibits plant succession due to its high capacity for dispersal, colonization, and permanence in secondary areas. It has, as a result, colonized about 50 % of high floodplain (varzea) areas formerly converted to agricultural fields in two of the four communities surveyed in this study. To establish more productive and healthy agroecosystems, we suggest enrichment of fallows with fruit and wood producing trees where C. lutea is less exploited.

IS IT TRUE THAT THIS PLACE USED TO BE AN INDIAN VILLAGE? CERAMIC ANALYSIS AND PRELIMINARY CHRONOLOGY OF BOA ESPERANÇA ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE LOCATED IN AMANÃ SDR, MID-SOLIMÕES RIVER, STATE OF AMAZONAS, BRAZIL.

This article presents the preliminary results of ceramics samples collected in site Boa Esperanca, located in Amana Sustainable Development Reserve, Amazonas. Archaeological research has been conducted since 2006 and has yielded a large amount of data that is being used to construct community management plans for local archaeological heritage. Twenty-nine archaeological sites were identified along the survey stage. These sites are composed of Amazonian dark earths (ADE), potsherds, urns and few lithic remains. The Boa Esperanca site was chosen as the first site of investigation. Mapping and excavations revealed differences in shape and size among the occupation strata. In order to characterize the artifacts and infer the chronology of occupation, 24% of all ceramic sherds collected through excavation were analyzed, revealing several changes in vessel manufacturing processes in addition to formal and decorative differences. Near-surface deposits are correlated within the Amazonian Polychrome Traditions while the underlying ones show ceramics belonging to the Incised Rim Tradition ceramics. Along with radiocarbon dates, the data allow for an outlining of a preliminary cultural chronology that begins in mid-first millennium B. C. Moreover, these data relate the region to wider processes of cultural change that occurred in the first millennium A.D. in Central Amazonia

THE HEALING PROCESS OF SKIN LESIONS IN A CAPTIVE AMAZONIAN MANATEE (<i>Trichechus inunguis</i>) CALF: A CASE REPORT

The present work describes the clinical procedures performed in an Amazonian manatee male calf under the care of Aquatic Mammals Research Group, of the Mamiraua Sustainable Development Institute, Amazonas, Brazil and housed in a wooden floating pen, in the Amana Lake, Amana Sustainable Development Reserve, Amazonas, Brazil. During handling procedures, skin lesions on the upper side of the calf’s nostrils, chin and near its left eye were observed. Due to the fact that some medicine effectiveness are hampered by aquatic mammals habits, a new medicine was developed by mixing some veterinary medicine and herbal products, which was applied during bottle feeding. After twenty days of treatment the wounds were completely healed. The use of such medicine made up with Amazon natural products, adapted to the aquatic environment on which this manatee calf has been kept, can provide important alternative and crucial information to a better treatment, especially with animals in danger of extinction.

TRAVEL AGENCIES AND TOUR OPERATORS THAT MARKET PAN-AMAZON ECOTOURISM DESTINATIONS: POSITIONING MAMIRAUÁ AND GATHERING INFORMATION FOR AMANÃ.

Travel agencies and tour operators have a role in mediating the marketing of a tourism destination between supplier and end consumer. Knowing the characteristics of such agencies and operators and how they operate is essential for existing community-based tourism (CBT) destinations and for those under planning. Several national and international travel agencies and tour operators market package tours to Uakari Lodge, which is the only place for accommodation and visitation of the Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve - SDR Mamirua. In turn, the neighboring Amana Sustainable Development Reserve - SDR Amana is the subject of a study to analyze the feasibility of implementing a community-based ecotourism project. This study investigates the occurrence of Uakari Lodge in tourism distribution channels websites in order to measure how it ranks in these distribution channels, as well as to identify key competitors to Mamiraua. Also were analyzed hereby, the number of guests to Uakari Lodge between 1998 and 2009 as well as the proportion of visitors who bought package tours through travel agencies and operators in this period, thus allowing to identify the most important commercial partners. The 30 most frequent tour operators were considered key informants and they were sent a questionnaire about Amana. The results thereof will help update Mamiraua’s marketing strategy and plan for tourism in Amana.

New data on the ecology and geographic distribution of Saguinus inustus Schwarz, 1951 (Primates, Callitrichidae)

Saguinus inustus (Schwarz, 1951) is one of the neotropical primates least studied. The distribution of the species ranges from the north of the Solimões River, between the Negro and Japurá Rivers in Brazil, and Guayabero-Guaviare Rivers in Colombia. Nevertheless, due to the low number of specimens collected from the lower Japurá and lower Negro Rivers areas, the geographic distribution is so far poorly delineated. In this study, field data was composed of sightings and the collection of specimens during a survey of mammal diversity in the Amana Sustainable Development Reserve (ASDR). For this survey, two 40-day expeditions were carried out in 2004. The first one occurred during the flooded season in June and July, and the second was during the peak of the dry season in October. Direct sightings were made through hiking along transects, navigation along water channels with a 30-hp speedboat, and gliding along flooded trails in the forest. New records of S. inustus were made in 11 different localities in ASDR. The study has confirmed the presence of the species in the Amanã area, carrying out the first records of the species in flooded forest habitats.