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.