Potencial de produção para produtos florestais não madeireiros em florestas públicas de uso sustentável no estado do Pará, Amazônia brasileira.

Abstract

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are resources that have been used for centuries, with knowledge passed down empirically from generation to generation. With the growing demand for natural products, they are gaining a foothold in national and international markets, whether in the food, cosmetic, or even paint and wax production sectors. This increase in demand raises questions about frequent supply fluctuations and the management of these products to meet market needs. Furthermore, this activity faces challenges related to the productive characteristics of these species and a lack of adequate management techniques. The objective of this study was to contribute to the knowledge about the productive potential of NTFPs in public sustainable-use forests in the state of Pará, Brazil, to support the bioeconomy through community-based enterprises. The research was conducted in two stages. First, a literature review was carried out on the most commercialized NTFPs in the state of Pará. Information on the productive characteristics of 20 products (quantity of fruit, seeds, oil, and liana produced per tree) was extracted from 200 scientific papers to build a database containing information on production, harvest season, and density. This database was then used to estimate the productive potential of three sustainable-use areas in Pará: the Caxiuanã National Forest (FLONA), the Paru State Forest (FLOTA), and the Acuti-Pereira Extractive Settlement Project in Portel. By filtering the species in the forest inventory spreadsheets and adding the information from the database, the productive potential for each species and area was estimated. In the Caxiuanã FLONA, the species with the highest productive potential were Dipteryx odorata, Hymenaea courbaril, and Carapa guianensis. In the Paru FLOTA, where a greater abundance of NTFP species was observed, the highest potential was for Carapa guianensis, followed by Endopleura uchi. Other species like Copaifera sp. and Bertholletia excelsa were also found. In the Acuti-Pereira communities, the presence of species not found in the state and federal forests was observed, including the palm tree Oenocarpus distichus. The study demonstrates that these forests have great potential for non-timber production. Furthermore, these targeted studies can help identify areas where specific species occur in greater abundance, aiding in the planning of future harvests.