Sustainable forest management for timber and non-timber resources in the Amazon forest under concession

Abstract

The Amazon biome is one of the largest in terms of area and biodiversity. It provides impressive ecosystem services that are crucial to planetary functions, for example global precipitation patterns. Besides, it provides important timber and non-timber products that are crucial for local communities and even international markets. The aim of this study was to conduct a phytosociological analysis to select the species with important ecological functions and with commercial interest for timber and non-timber forest products (NTFP). Forest inventory data were collected were collected from 4 Annual Production Units (APUs) at the Paru State Forest. The 5 species with highest Importance Value Index (IVI) were: Chrysophyllum lucentifolium, Micropholis venulosa, Handroanthus serratifolius, Handroanthus impetiginosus and Manilkara huberi. These species presented commercial volume in the diameter classes of 40 to ≥ 170 cm. The species providing NTFP (Carapa guianensis, Bertholletia excelsa and Copaifera guianensis) presented IVI in the 1, 9, and 34 positions, respectively. The species Carapa guianensis presented more individuals in the 40 and 80 DBH classes. Bertholletia excelsa was the only one presenting individuals with DBHs exceeding 140 cm. Copaifera guianensis was the less common species. We concluded that all the 5 species producing timber are viable for sustainable forest management. Regarding the non-timber forest species, forest management need to be focused in Carapa guianensis and Bertholletia excelsa.