USO DE PRODUTOS FLORESTAIS NÃO MADEIREIROS EM COMUNIDADES DA FLONA TAPAJÓS

This article aims to identify the use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) by the traditional populations living in the communities of São Domingos, Maguari, and Jamaraquá, PA, Brazil, to understand the issues related to the main species collected, their uses, and product pricing. A rapid rural appraisal (RRA) was conducted with community NTFP collectors, followed by interviews with the artisans, including a total of 10 people. The most cited species in the RRA were morototó, bead tree, tento amarelo, wingleaf soapberry, açaí palm, jutaí, and Job’s tears, which are used to produce handicrafts and bio-jewels. In addition, buriti, tucumã, and curuá fiber and lapachillo, itaúba, cedar, arara castanha, and molongó wood were used. The price of bio-jewels varies from BRL 2 to 30, and of the wood ornamental pieces from BRL 10 to 300. The main advantages of working with NTFP highlighted in the interviews were that seed collection is easy, that there is demand, and that income is generated for community members. The difficulties mentioned were the collection and processing of morototó and paricá seed, and access to trees. Jamaraquá, Maguari, and São Domingos are successful examples of forest products that consolidated the market and are cultural and social representation of the forest peoples.  O objetivo deste artigo é caracterizar o uso dos produtos florestais não madeireiros (PFNM) pelas populações ribeirinhas em comunidades na Flona Tapajós, compreendendo as questões relacionadas às principais espécies coletadas, seus usos e atribuição de valor aos produtos confeccionados. Foi realizado um Diagnóstico Rápido Rural (DRR) com os coletores de PFNMs, e entrevistas com um total de 10 artesãos. As espécies mais citadas foram: morototó, tento vermelho, tento amarelo, saboneteira, açaí, jutaí e lágrima de nossa senhora que são utilizadas na produção de artesanatos e biojóias; também se utiliza as fibras (buriti, tucumã e curuá) e as madeiras (coração de negro, itaúba, cedro, arara castanha e molongó). As biojóias variam de valor entre R$2,00 a R$20,00 e as peças ornamentais de madeira de R$10,00 a R$300,00. As principais vantagens de trabalhar com PFNM apontadas na entrevista são a facilidade de coletar sementes, o fato de ter demanda e gerar renda aos artesãos envolvidos. As dificuldades mencionadas são a coleta das sementes do morototó e paricá e o acesso as árvores na floresta. Jamaraquá, Maguari e São Domingos são exemplos bem-sucedidos de que os produtos oriundos da floresta têm mercado consolidado e são representação cultural e social dos povos da floresta. Palavras-chave: artesanato; biojóias; população tradicional; Amazônia.   Use of non-wooden forest products in the National Forest of Tapajós communities   ABSTRACT: The aim of this article is to characterize the use of non-timber forest products (NTFP) by riverine populations in communities in Flona Tapajós, including issues related to the main species collected, their uses and attribution of value to the manufactured products. the use of non-timber forest products (NTFP) by riverine populations in communities in Flona Tapajós, including issues related to the main species collected, their uses and attribution of value to the products made. A rapid rural appraisal (RRA) was conducted with community NTFP collectors, followed by interviews with the artisans, including a total of 10 people. The most cited species in the RRA were morototó, bead tree, tento amarelo, wingleaf soapberry, açaí palm, jutaí, and Job’s tears, which are used to produce handicrafts and bio-jewels. In addition, buriti, tucumã, and curuá fiber and lapachillo, itaúba, cedar, arara castanha, and molongó wood were used. The price of bio-jewels varies from BRL 2 to 20, and of the wood ornamental pieces from BRL 10 to 300. The main advantages of working with NTFP highlighted in the interviews were that seed collection is easy, that there is demand, and that income is generated for community members. The difficulties mentioned were the collection and processing of morototó and paricá seed, and access to trees. Jamaraquá, Maguari, and São Domingos are successful examples of forest products that consolidated the market and are cultural and social representation of the forest peoples. Keywords: handicrafts; bio-jewels; traditional population; Amazon

Developing cost-effective field assessments of carbon stocks in human-modified tropical forests

Across the tropics, there is a growing financial investment in activities that aim to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, such as REDD+. However, most tropical countries lack on-the-ground capacity to conduct reliable and replicable assessments of forest carbon stocks, undermining their ability to secure long-term carbon finance for forest conservation programs. Clear guidance on how to reduce the monetary and time costs of field assessments of forest carbon can help tropical countries to overcome this capacity gap. Here we provide such guidance for cost-effective one-off field assessments of forest carbon stocks. We sampled a total of eight components from four different carbon pools (i.e. aboveground, dead wood, litter and soil) in 224 study plots distributed across two regions of eastern Amazon. For each component we estimated survey costs, contribution to total forest carbon stocks and sensitivity to disturbance. Sampling costs varied thirty-one-fold between the most expensive component, soil, and the least, leaf litter. Large live stems (≥10 cm DBH), which represented only 15% of the overall sampling costs, was by far the most important component to be assessed, as it stores the largest amount of carbon and is highly sensitive to disturbance. If large stems are not taxonomically identified, costs can be reduced by a further 51%, while incurring an error in aboveground carbon estimates of only 5% in primary forests, but 31% in secondary forests. For rapid assessments, necessary to help prioritize locations for carbon- conservation activities, sampling of stems ≥20cm DBH without taxonomic identification can predict with confidence (R2 = 0.85) whether an area is relatively carbon-rich or carbon-poor—an approach that is 74% cheaper than sampling and identifying all the stems ≥10cm DBH. We use these results to evaluate the reliability of forest carbon stock estimates provided by the IPCC and FAO when applied to human-modified forests, and to highlight areas where cost savings in carbon stock assessments could be most easily made

Natural variation of arsenic fractions in soils of the Brazilian Amazon

Arsenic (As) in native soils of the Amazon rainforest is a concern due to its likely origin from the Andean rivers, which transport loads of sediments containing substantial amounts of trace elements coming from the cordilleras. Yet, unveiling soil As baseline concentrations in the Amazon basin is still a need because most studies in Brazil have been performed in areas with predominantly high concentrations and cannot express a real baseline value for the region. In this study, 414 soil samples (0–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm layers) were collected from different sites throughout the Amazon basin - including native Amazon rainforest and minimally disturbed areas - and used to determine total and extractable (soluble + available) As concentrations along with relevant soil physicochemical properties. Descriptive statistics of the data was performed and Pearson correlation supported by a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) provided an improved understanding of where and how As concentrations are influenced by soil attributes. Total As concentration ranged from 0.98 to 41.71 mg kg−1 with values usually increasing from the topsoil (0–20 cm) to the deepest layer (40–60 cm) in all sites studied. Considering the proportional contribution given by each fraction (soluble and available) on extractable As concentration, it is noticeable that KH2PO4-extractable As represents the most important fraction, with >70% of the As extracted on average in all the sites studied. Still, the extractable fractions (soluble + available) correspond to ~0.24% of the total As, on average. Total, available, and soluble As fractions were strongly and positively correlated with soil Al3+. The PCA indicated that soil pH in combination with CEC might be the key factors controlling soil As concentrations and the occurrence of each arsenic fraction in the soil layers

Natural variation of arsenic fractions in soils of the Brazilian Amazon

Arsenic (As) in native soils of the Amazon rainforest is a concern due to its likely origin from the Andean rivers, which transport loads of sediments containing substantial amounts of trace elements coming from the cordilleras. Yet, unveiling soil As baseline concentrations in the Amazon basin is still a need because most studies in Brazil have been performed in areas with predominantly high concentrations and cannot express a real baseline value for the region. In this study, 414 soil samples (0–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm layers) were collected from different sites throughout the Amazon basin - including native Amazon rainforest and minimally disturbed areas - and used to determine total and extractable (soluble + available) As concentrations along with relevant soil physicochemical properties. Descriptive statistics of the data was performed and Pearson correlation supported by a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) provided an improved understanding of where and how As concentrations are influenced by soil attributes. Total As concentration ranged from 0.98 to 41.71 mg kg−1 with values usually increasing from the topsoil (0–20 cm) to the deepest layer (40–60 cm) in all sites studied. Considering the proportional contribution given by each fraction (soluble and available) on extractable As concentration, it is noticeable that KH2PO4-extractable As represents the most important fraction, with >70% of the As extracted on average in all the sites studied. Still, the extractable fractions (soluble + available) correspond to ~0.24% of the total As, on average. Total, available, and soluble As fractions were strongly and positively correlated with soil Al3+. The PCA indicated that soil pH in combination with CEC might be the key factors controlling soil As concentrations and the occurrence of each arsenic fraction in the soil layers

A social and ecological assessment of tropical land uses at multiple scales: the Sustainable Amazon Network

Science has a critical role to play in guiding more sustainable development trajectories. Here, we present the Sustainable Amazon Network (Rede Amazonia Sustentavel, RAS): a multidisciplinary research initiative involving more than 30 partner organizations working to assess both social and ecological dimensions of land-use sustainability in eastern Brazilian Amazonia. The research approach adopted by RAS offers three advantages for addressing land-use sustainability problems: (i) the collection of synchronized and co-located ecological and socioeconomic data across broad gradients of past and present human use; (ii) a nested sampling design to aid comparison of ecological and socioeconomic conditions associated with different land uses across local, landscape and regional scales; and (iii) a strong engagement with a wide variety of actors and non-research institutions. Here, we elaborate on these key features, and identify the ways in which RAS can help in highlighting those problems in most urgent need of attention, and in guiding improvements in land-use sustainability in Amazonia and elsewhere in the tropics. We also discuss some of the practical lessons, limitations and realities faced during the development of the RAS initiative so far.Keywords: Social–ecological systems, Tropical forests, Land use, Interdisciplinary research, Sustainability, Trade-off

USO DE PRODUTOS FLORESTAIS NÃO MADEIREIROS EM COMUNIDADES DA FLONA TAPAJÓS

This article aims to identify the use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) by the traditional populations living in the communities of São Domingos, Maguari, and Jamaraquá, PA, Brazil, to understand the issues related to the main species collected, their uses, and product pricing. A rapid rural appraisal (RRA) was conducted with community NTFP collectors, followed by interviews with the artisans, including a total of 10 people. The most cited species in the RRA were morototó, bead tree, tento amarelo, wingleaf soapberry, açaí palm, jutaí, and Job’s tears, which are used to produce handicrafts and bio-jewels. In addition, buriti, tucumã, and curuá fiber and lapachillo, itaúba, cedar, arara castanha, and molongó wood were used. The price of bio-jewels varies from BRL 2 to 30, and of the wood ornamental pieces from BRL 10 to 300. The main advantages of working with NTFP highlighted in the interviews were that seed collection is easy, that there is demand, and that income is generated for community members. The difficulties mentioned were the collection and processing of morototó and paricá seed, and access to trees. Jamaraquá, Maguari, and São Domingos are successful examples of forest products that consolidated the market and are cultural and social representation of the forest peoples.  O objetivo deste artigo é caracterizar o uso dos produtos florestais não madeireiros (PFNM) pelas populações ribeirinhas em comunidades na Flona Tapajós, compreendendo as questões relacionadas às principais espécies coletadas, seus usos e atribuição de valor aos produtos confeccionados. Foi realizado um Diagnóstico Rápido Rural (DRR) com os coletores de PFNMs, e entrevistas com um total de 10 artesãos. As espécies mais citadas foram: morototó, tento vermelho, tento amarelo, saboneteira, açaí, jutaí e lágrima de nossa senhora que são utilizadas na produção de artesanatos e biojóias; também se utiliza as fibras (buriti, tucumã e curuá) e as madeiras (coração de negro, itaúba, cedro, arara castanha e molongó). As biojóias variam de valor entre R$2,00 a R$20,00 e as peças ornamentais de madeira de R$10,00 a R$300,00. As principais vantagens de trabalhar com PFNM apontadas na entrevista são a facilidade de coletar sementes, o fato de ter demanda e gerar renda aos artesãos envolvidos. As dificuldades mencionadas são a coleta das sementes do morototó e paricá e o acesso as árvores na floresta. Jamaraquá, Maguari e São Domingos são exemplos bem-sucedidos de que os produtos oriundos da floresta têm mercado consolidado e são representação cultural e social dos povos da floresta. Palavras-chave: artesanato; biojóias; população tradicional; Amazônia.   Use of non-wooden forest products in the National Forest of Tapajós communities   ABSTRACT: The aim of this article is to characterize the use of non-timber forest products (NTFP) by riverine populations in communities in Flona Tapajós, including issues related to the main species collected, their uses and attribution of value to the manufactured products. the use of non-timber forest products (NTFP) by riverine populations in communities in Flona Tapajós, including issues related to the main species collected, their uses and attribution of value to the products made. A rapid rural appraisal (RRA) was conducted with community NTFP collectors, followed by interviews with the artisans, including a total of 10 people. The most cited species in the RRA were morototó, bead tree, tento amarelo, wingleaf soapberry, açaí palm, jutaí, and Job’s tears, which are used to produce handicrafts and bio-jewels. In addition, buriti, tucumã, and curuá fiber and lapachillo, itaúba, cedar, arara castanha, and molongó wood were used. The price of bio-jewels varies from BRL 2 to 20, and of the wood ornamental pieces from BRL 10 to 300. The main advantages of working with NTFP highlighted in the interviews were that seed collection is easy, that there is demand, and that income is generated for community members. The difficulties mentioned were the collection and processing of morototó and paricá seed, and access to trees. Jamaraquá, Maguari, and São Domingos are successful examples of forest products that consolidated the market and are cultural and social representation of the forest peoples. Keywords: handicrafts; bio-jewels; traditional population; Amazon

Physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil under soybean cultivation and at an adjacent rainforest in Amazonia

Land-use change in the Amazon basin has occurred at an accelerated pace during the last decade, and it is important that the effects induced by these changes on soil properties are better understood. This study investigated the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soil in a field under cultivation of soy and rice, and at an adjacent primary rain forest. Increases in soil bulk density, exchangeable cations and pH were observed in the soy field soil. In the primary forest, soil microbial biomass and basal respiration rates were higher, and the microbial community was metabolically more efficient. The sum of basal respiration across the A, AB and BA horizons on a mass per area basis ranged from 7.31 to 10.05 Mg CO2-C ha-1yr-1, thus yielding estimates for total soil respiration between 9.6 and 15.5 Mg CO2-C ha-1yr-1 across sites and seasons. These estimates are in good agreement with literature values for Amazonian ecosystems. The estimates of heterotrophic respiration made in this study help to further constrain the estimates of autotrophic soil respiration and will be useful for monitoring the effects of future land-use in Amazonian ecosystems

Chemical analysis of rainfall and throughfall in the Tapajós National Forest, Belterra, Pará, Brazil

The Tapajós National Forest (FLONA Tapajós) has 600,000 hectares of protected forest, and is situated 50 km south of the city of Santarém, Pará, Brazil, a port city of 250,000 inhabitants that is located at the confluence of the Tapajós and Amazon Rivers. There is a lot of farmland in the region, which offers many opportunities to study changes in land use. Selective wood harvesting is one type of land use that is particularly important to the economy of Santarém. Wet and dry deposition of organic material can be an important source of nutrients for plants, and this is especially true when the soil is poor, which is the case in Santarém-Belterra plateau region, the study area of this research. In this region, the natural atmospheric deposition of nutrients is often enhanced by the burning of biomass, which releases a large part of the above-ground biomass nutrients into the atmosphere. The objectives of this study were: 1 - estimate the total wet deposition via direct precipitation and through the canopy, including dry deposition; 2 - verify potential sources of nutrients found in the total wet deposition and dry deposition; and 3 - investigate the effects of coverage vegetation on nutrient content in precipitation and throughfall. The study was conducted in FLONA Tapajós at km 67 of Santarém- Cuiabá Highway, south of the city of Santarém. The study area consisted of a portion of 100 x 100 m transects divided into 10 x 10 m plots. The area was located next to a meteorological tower 65 m tall that measures various climate parameters such as rainfall, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, temperature and humidity, among others. Direct precipitation (PD) and internal precipitation (IP) collectors consisted of 2 L polyethylene bottles with a 115 mm diameter funnel. Samples were collected weekly from April 2003 to March 2006. The volume of the sample was measured individually for each collector (25 traps for internal precipitation and 4 for direct precipitation). The conclusions that can be drawn from this study are: 1 - the dry season has the highest variation in ion flux; 2 - seasonality has a strong influence on the concentration of basic cations; 3 - dry deposition is one of the most important ways that nutrients are acquired in FLONA Tapajos; 4 - there is a significant inflow of nutrients Cl and Na due to intensive grain farming nearby; 5 dry deposition is the most important process for the enrichment of water that reaches the forest floor; 6 - principal component analysis facilitates the interpretation and characterization of rainwater and in this study shows the influence of anthropogenic sources such as agriculture, biomass burning, and dust