Journal of Sustainable Forestry Sustainable Yield Management Of

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Journal of Sustainable Forestry Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wjsf20 Sustainable Yield Management of Euterpe edulis Martius (Palmae) Mauricio Sedrez dos Reis a , Alfredo Celso Fantini a , Rubens Onofre Nodari a , Miguel Pedro Guerra a & Ademir Reis a a Department of Fitotecnia , Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina , C. Postal 476, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil Published online: 20 Oct 2008.

To cite this article: Mauricio Sedrez dos Reis , Alfredo Celso Fantini , Rubens Onofre Nodari , Miguel Pedro Guerra & Ademir Reis (2000) Sustainable Yield Management of Euterpe edulis Martius (Palmae), Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 11:3, 1-17, DOI: 10.1300/J091v11n03_01 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J091v11n03_01

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Sustainable Yield Management of Euterpe edulis Martius (Palmae): A Tropical Palm Tree from the Atlantic Tropical Forest-- Brazil

Maurício Sedrez dos Reis Alfredo Celso Fantini Rubens Onofre Nodari Miguel Pedro Guerra Ademir Reis Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014

ABSTRACT. A sustainable yield management system is proposed for Euterpe edulis (‘Palmiteiro’) based on field studies. Since this Brazilian palm integrates the forest in the intermediate succession stages and

Maurício Sedrez dos Reis is Associate Professor, Alfredo Celso Fantini is Assis- tant Professor, Rubens Onofre Nodari, Miguel Pedro Guerra, and Ademir Reis are Full Professors, Department of Fitotecnia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, C. Postal 476, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil. Address correspondence to: Maurício Sedrez dos Reis at the above address (E-mail: msreis@ cca.ufsc.br). This research was supported by FINEP, FNMA and CNPq, and carried out by Núcleo de Pesquisa em Florestas Tropicais (NPFT), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Journal of Sustainable Forestry, Vol. 11(3) 2000 E 2000 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved. 1 2 JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

grows naturally in shaded areas, its exploitation requires neither forest destruction nor forest gaps. This system, based on the cyclic exploitation and on equating species exploitation, was accomplished by defin- ing three basic parameters: (i) the number of seed producing trees per area and their maintenance to ensure natural regeneration and the maintenance of population genetic structure and diversity levels, (ii) the available stock, used to determine the degree of exploitation, and (iii) the species increment rates in order to define the cutting cycle length. These parameters were estimated from permanent plot inventories. In São Pedro de Alcântara (SC), the exploitation of ‘palmiteiro’ trees with diameter at breast height above 8.5 cm, leaving 50 seed producing trees, yields 51.2 kg/ha of heart-of-palm (‘palmito’) in the first cycle. The sustainable yield management of this palm tree is (i) important to conservation because it allows the demographic and genetic structure maintenance, and (ii) economically viable because its edible product, the heart-of-palm, which has high economic value, can provide subsistence to several traditional communities. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: Website: ]

KEYWORDS. Atlantic rainforest, sustainable management, heart-of- palm, non-timber product, tropical forest conservation

INTRODUCTION Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014

Euterpe edulis Martius (‘Palmiteiro,’ ‘Juçara’ or ‘Íçara’) is a natural-occurring palm tree in the Brazilian Atlantic Tropical Forest. It grows from Southern Bahia (15_ S) up to Northern Rio Grande do Sul (30_ S) along the coast, entering south as far as Eastern Paraguay and Northern Argentina (57_ W) (Figure 1). This species has highly economical value and has been the target of intense and predatory exploitation since the late 60s. Presently, its exploitation goes on clan- destinely and illegally, mostly in relict areas. Despite being predatory, such clandestine exploitation is the major income source for several communities, especially in the Vale do Ribeira region, State of São Paulo, and northern coast of Santa Catarina (Figure 1) where it sup- ports economically several low income families. Although its predatory exploitation has been degrading of the At- lantic Tropical Forest, E. edulis shows a great potential as a model for sustainable management of natural populations. First, because of its highly commercial value. Second, from the ecological point of view, Reis et al. 3

FIGURE 1. Area of natural occurrence of palmiteiro (Euterpe edulis). IF-Inter- vales Farm, Sete Barras-SP; SPA--São Pedro de Alcântara-SC.

Parana State Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014

Santa Catarina State SPA

Atlantic tropical forest in Brazil

Natural occurrence

this species interacts greatly with fauna and feeds a great number of animals. These features are required for a strategic species in the maintenance of the ecosystem dynamics as well as in recovering secondary forest dynamics. Moreover, the relatively short cycle, and great amount of individuals within the forest are factors favoring the use of a sustainable management system for natural occurring populations. 4 JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

The economic importance of the species is due to its edible product, the so called ‘palmito’--heart of palm--which is composed by the apical meristem and undifferentiated leaves. Commercially, the heart of the palm is fully absorbed by the large and expanding domestic and for- eign markets. However, the exported Brazilian product is almost total- ly originated from E. oleracea, another palm tree, native of the Ama- zon region. Since the domestic market is more demanding in terms of product quality; therefore E. edulis heart-of-palm is preferred. From the ecological point of view, this species interacts greatly with fauna. First, because it feeds a great amount of animals. The palm fruit production is abundant, reaching more than 300 kg/ha (Reis et al., 1996). In addition, the fruit-supplying period is very long, usually extending for six months. A large range of animals such as birds and medium and large size mammals use these fruits in their basic diet (Reis, 1995). Moreover, pollen production, flower exudates, and parts of the inflorescence themselves are feed sources for a great variety of insects which visit E. edulis inflorescence during its extended bloom- ing period (Reis et al., 1993). Second, because the fauna in turn, is responsible for the dispersion of fruits, an essential contribution to the maintenance of demography and genic flow of this palm species (Reis et al., 1994). In addition, the insects can ensure the genic flow by

Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014 visiting the inflorescence from different ‘palmiteiro’ plants. Such features bear a special relevance to recovering the dynamics of secondary forestry, since the attraction of seed dispersing vectors (fauna) implies in new and additional seeds. This fact increases plant diversity, thus assuring continuation of the succession process (Reis, 1993). The great ecological value of this species is closer to Terborgh’s keystone (1986) concept. There are other attributes that favor the selection of ‘palmiteiro’ as a model of the study of sustainable forest management. First, it is the most abundant tree in the understory of the Atlantic Tropical Forest domain. The great abundance of the ‘palmiteiro’ in the forest was first reported by Veloso and Klein (1957, 1959). In their surveys, the authors observed as much as 1000 individuals per ha, over 1.5 m high, the most frequent and abundant species in the understory. Since then, all further studies (Negreiros, 1982; Silva, 1991; Alves, 1994), including ours (Nodari et al., 1987; Reis et al., 1991; Fantini et al., 1993; Reis, 1995), have confirmed their achievements. Second, among the Reis et al. 5

commercial tree species of the Atlantic Tropical Forest, the ‘palmiteiro’ has, the shortest cycle. The use of ‘palmiteiro’ under a sustainable yield policy brings beneficial environmental effects, once its entire life cycle, or at least a great part of it, is spent under the shade provided by the existing canopy. This fact brings out the need to manage this palm tree under tree covering, either within the original forest or on disturbed areas. That means that the forest needs to be preserved in order to provide heart-of-palm production. Thus, the conservation of tropical ecosystems and, therefore, its diversity, defined herein as species richness and genetic variability within each species, is associated with the existence of alternatives combining this aspect to the income gain by land owners. This way, the aim of this work is to describe a sustainable yield management system for natural populations of ‘palmiteiro.’ The system is based on the autoecology of the species to be managed within the ecosystem it belongs to, in an attempt to combine forest conservation with source of income, as described by Floriano et al. (1987) and Fantini et al. (1992a). Then, to accomplish this, the knowledge on tropical forest ecology and the autoecology of the species to be managed is essential. Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014 METHODOLOGY The conception of a management system under a sustainable yield policy, proposed here, is based on two aspects: the cyclic attribute of the exploitation and the exploitation equating of each species individ- ually (Fantini et al., 1992a). To ensure cyclic exploitation, and consequently continuous exploitation, the available stock, increment rates, and natural regeneration must be evaluated (Figure 2). However, each factor must be species specific, otherwise the success of this undertak- ing might be threatened, since the different species present distinct ecological behavior. The data necessary to evaluate the adequacy of our proposal to palmiteiro management was obtained from six permanent plots, set up in an area with secondary forest, being the vegetation characteristic of an advanced stage of succession, located in São Pedro de Alcântara - State of Santa Catarina, Brazil (Figure 1, SPA). The six 50 m × 50 m plots were implemented in 1989, and evaluated annually for 3 succes- 6 JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

FIGURE 2. Flow chart of management of tropical forest under sustainable yield regime (Fantini et al., 1992a).

Forest Resource Permanent Inventory

Characterization of Diversity

Selection of Species to Be Exploited

Stock Characterization Characterization Characterization Characterization Evaluation Evaluation of Natural of Vectors of of Annual Current of Annual Average Regeneration Pollination and Increment Increment Seed Dispersal (ACI) (AAI)

Selection of Seed-Trees Determination Determination of of Cut Limit Cut Cycle (CC) Diameter (CLD)

Definition of Plants to Be Exploited

Exploitation Products

sive years. Data related to diameter at breast height (DBH) of every Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014 E. edulis individual with stipe height higher than 1.3 m was collected. Regarding the natural regeneration of the species, every individual with stipe height under 1.3 m was evaluated in 49 subplots (2 m × 2m) corresponding to an area of 196 m2. The plants from the natural regeneration were classified into three categories according to the height insertion of younger leaf: up to 10 cm (I), between 10 and 50 cm (II), and over 50 cm (III). Data were summarized in a frequency distribution table according to height (natural regeneration) or diameter class (trees with stipe higher than 1.3 m). The number of reproductive individuals per class was also identified. Periodic assessment allowed the characterization of the annual current increment (ACI) per individual concerning DBH and basal area adjusted by means of least square estimators. Simulations of the exploitation process were per- formed to characterize the likely yield and system adequacy, and to estimate the yield to be obtained from the second cutting cycle. An economical analysis concerning the entire process was also per- formed. Reis et al. 7

ADEQUACY OF ‘PALMITEIRO’ TO THE MODEL

The adequacy of the sustainable yield management to ‘palmiteiro’ was based on three basic parameters. The first is the definition of the number of seed producing trees per area and their maintenance. This can be determined by taking into account the evaluation of natural regeneration process, its relationship with predator and dispersors, and features related to pollination and genic flow of the species. This parameter ensures the maintenance of genetic structure and diversity levels of the natural populations under management (Reis et al., 1998). The second parameter to be determined is the available stock, distrib- uted according to diameter classes, which is used to determine the degree of exploitation. The third, is the species increment rates in order to define the cutting cycle length. For ‘palmiteiro,’ such parameters were estimated from data collected in permanent plot inventories. The data surveyed in São Pedro de Alcântara Experimental Station in 1991, 1992, and 1993 revealed 559 individuals per hectare (Table 1). The diameter classes distribution showed a J-reverse shape, where the majority of the individuals are included into the classes with more petite diameter. The reduced number of palm plants with DBH between 2 and 4 cm was due to the presence of a great number of Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014 individuals under 1.3 m of height in this class (Table 1), from which the DBH was not possible to measure. DBH increment data and basal area increment per diameter class (Table 2) reflect the growth pattern of individuals within the population. The biomass increase is proportional to the increase in individual height and basal area. For management purposes, the DBH increment seems more suitable for describing the growth of individuals than plant height. In addition, the commercial yield (quantity of heart-of- palm) was observed to be directly related to the basal area (Fantini et al., 1992b; Fantini et al., 1997). Although it is known that there is no secondary growth in palms as it occurs in dicotyledons, some palms exhibit diffuse secondary thickening (Tomlinson, 1961), an expression used to describe the stem expansion resulting from cell division and expansion. It is known that the diameter of the palm stem expands at variable rates, during the life cycle, and this can be viewed as an increase in thickness. This property was called diameter increment in the present work and is used as an indirect criterion to estimate com- 8 JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

TABLE 1. Number of Euterpe edulis individuals per hectare per regeneration class (individuals with stipe under 130 cm high) and per diameter class (plants with exposed stipe > 130 cm) in the São Pedro de Alcântara region, SC, a secondary forest of the Atlantic Tropical Rain Forest.

Classes 1991 1992 1993 Natural Regeneration until 10* cm 11,878 13,332 11,251 10* to 50* cm 3,375 4,506 5,230 50* to 130** cm 434 255 230 Total 15,687 18,093 16,711 Trees with stipe higher than 1.30 m Diameter classes*** 2-4 91 81 94 4-6 240 207 201 6-8 89 97 97 8-10 57 64 68 10-12 47 62 70 12-14 31 37 39 14-16 4 6 5 Total 559 554 574 * Height of arrow leaf insertion with last leaf; ** height of exposed stipe *** Classes of diameter at breast height (1.3 m) of exposed stipe Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014 TABLE 2. Current increment in DBH and in basal area per diameter class of Euterpe edulis individuals in the São Pedro de Alcântara region, SC, a secondary forest of the Tropical Rain Forest.

1 2 Diametrical Class N ICDBH IABA 2 5 0.64 (0.75)3 3.53 (4.26)3 3 76 0.40 (0.48) 2.59 (3.24) 4 128 0.43 (0.53) 3.43 (4.23) 5 79 0.81 (0.61) 7.75 (6.15) 6 42 0.78 (0.53) 8.57 (6.13) 7 55 1.00 (0.60) 12.76 (8.13) 8 35 1.15 (0.69) 16.54 (10.22) 9 29 0.82 (0.57) 13.07 (9.27) 10 28 0.46 (0.59) 8.06 (10.42) 11 34 0.39 (0.59) 7.45 (11.43) 12 23 0.21 (0.35) 4.11 (6.91) 13 14 0.19 (0.46) 4.13 (9.76) 14 6 0.03 (0.06) 0.60 (1.47)

1 2 3 ICDBH = Increment in DBH; IABA = Increment in basal area; Standard deviation Reis et al. 9

mercial yield. Data included in Table 2 show that the annual increment of basal area increased in trees with DBH up to 9 cm. Trees with DBH higher than 9 cm exhibited lower rates in comparison with those of lower diameter. These results can be used to establish a functional relationship between basal area increment (BAI) and diameter classes (DBH) by the method of least squares. Thus, the best estimate of the mentioned relationship is: BAI = 20.5230 + 7.6314 DBH 0.4440 DBH2 (R2 = 0.82) Such estimate allows the construction of a curve with DBH class increments. Its maximum increment point is 8.6 cm (8.5 cm for management purposes). Thus, 151 out of 559 individuals would be suitable for being exploited (DBH > 8.5 cm--Table 3). The maintenance of at least 60 reproductive individuals per ha (fruit/seed producing trees) is necessary to ensure the perpetuation of genetic and demographic dynamics of the system (Reis, 1996; Reis et al., 1998). However, the minimum number of seed trees to be main- tained permanently in the forest is at least 50 plants per hectare, according to the present regulations. This parameter was defined after

TABLE 3. Estimate of yield in Euterpe edulis under sustained yield manage-

Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014 ment in the São Pedro de Alcântara region, SC, a secondary forest of the Atlantic Tropical Rain Forest.

Diameter Fruit Yield3 Per Classes (cm) N LE1 Producing AE2 Individual Class Trees 2-3 5 3-4 76 4-5 128 5-6 79 6-7 42 1 7-8 55 4 8-9 35 17 1 16 303 4.848 9-10 29 29 3 26 379 9.841 10-11 28 28 9 19 462 8.785 11-12 34 34 10 24 555 13.312 12-13 23 23 8 15 655 9.830 13-14 14 14 8 6 764 4.586 14-15 6 6 6 -- 882 -- Total 151 50 106 -- 51.202

1 LE = Liable to Exploitation DBH cutting limit = 8.5 cm; 2 AE = Available for Exploitation 3 Yield (g) = 5.34 BA = 4.194 DBH2 10 JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

studies by Reis et al. (1991). Therefore, only 106 individuals would remain to be exploited in the first cycle (Table 3). Using the yield estimates developed by Fantini et al. (1992b), yield (g) = 5.34 basal area, a total yield of 51.2 kg per ha can be obtained. In the first cycle it could be earned about 100 to 150 US dollars, according to Pereira (1994) estimation. Also important is the definition of the cutting cycle length. Such definition should takes into account biological and economical crite- ria, once it refers to the interval necessary for new exploitation of the same area. The assumption is that the remaining palm individuals will fill in the gaps left by those removed, thus reestablishing the balance between diameter classes (regulated diametrical distribution). In this way, an either higher or lower number of individuals to be exploited will be found, according to the time interval established (cutting cycle). Thus, according to the cutting cycle option (4, 5, or 6 years for example) different expectations of commercial yield would be expected for that region (Table 4). In practical terms, 4, 5, or 6 stands (sub-area) could be established and every year, one stand could be exploited (1/4,1/5, or 1/6 of the area annually) until the completion of the first cycle. The respective expected yields are presented in Table 5,

TABLE 4. Estimate of yield in Euterpe edulis under sustained yield manage- Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014 ment for second cycle (regulated stock) under different cutting cycles in the São Pedro de Alcântara region, SC, a secondary forest of the Atlantic Tropical Rain Forest.

Diameter Fruit Yield Per Cutting Cycle Classes Producing 5 Years 4 Years 6 Years (cm) N1 Trees AE2 Yield AE Yield AE Yield 4-5 152 5-6 101 6-7 67 1 7-8 46 4 8-9 35 1 17 5.15 17 5.15 17 5.15 9-10 32 3 29 10.99 29 10.99 29 10.99 10-11 32 9 21 9.70 21 9.70 21 9.70 11-12 31 10 15 8.33 -- 21 11.66 12-13 29 8 ------13-14 20 8 ------1 4 - 1 5 1 6 ------Total 546 50 82 34.17 67 24.84 88 37.50

1 Regulated Diametrical Distribution: N = 588.40 166.62 DBH + 16.56 DBH2 0.55 DBH3 (R2 =0.95) 2 AE = Available for Exploitation: Yield = 5.34 BA = 4.194 DBH2 (kg/Class) Reis et al. 11

for a 100 hectare area. Beginning in the second cycle, with the regulated stock, expectations would be different from the previous one. Obviously, the model, as predicted, enables reevaluations of expectations. Considering a 5-year cycle scenario, within a 100 ha area, five 20 ha stands could be established for annual exploitation. Thus, the yield would be 1024 kg of ‘palmito’ per year. In this situation, considering expenses in the order of US$ 48.00 per ha and average value of US$ 2.25 per kg of ‘palmito’ (Pereira, 1994), the internal return rate of the project would be 18% and the pay back period of 3 years and 7 months (Table 6). These data show the economical viability of the system. The adequacy of the model has also been tested on Intervales Farm (Figure 1-IF), nearby the Rio Saibadela, State of São Paulo, where 20 permanent plots (50 m × 50 m) representing a 164 ha area, were

TABLE 5. Yield forecast per year of exploitation of Euterpe edulis under sustained yield management with different cutting cycles in the São Pedro de Alcântara region, SC, a secondary forest of the Tropical Rain Forest.

Cycle Length (Years) 546 Total area (ha) 100 100 100

Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014 Area per stand 20 25 17

Year Yield at the First Cycle (kg) 1 1024 1280 870.4 2 1024 1280 870.4 3 1024 1280 870.4 4 1024 1280 870.4 5 1024 870.4 6 870.4 Total 5120 5120 5222

Year Yield at the Second Cycle (kg) 1 684 646.1 637.5 2 684 646.1 637.5 3 684 646.1 637.5 4 684 646.1 637.5 5 684 637.5 6 637.5 Total 3420 2584.4 3824.9 Total 8540 7704.4 9046.9 Time 10 8 12 12 JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

TABLE 6. Cash flow for yield forecast of Euterpe edulis under sustained yield management in 100 hectares under tropical rain forest conditions, in the São Pedro de Alcântara region, SC, a secondary forest of the Tropical Rain Forest.

Initial Working Total Gross Net Year Investment Capital Costing Expenses Revenue Revenue Balance

1 2460 971 -- 3.431 -- 3.431 3.431 2 971 971 2.304 1.333 2.098 3 971 971 2.304 1.333 765 4 971 971 2.304 1.333 568 5 971 971 2.304 1.333 1.091 6 971 971 2.304 1.333 3.234 7 971 971 2.304 568 3.802 8 971 971 2.304 568 4.370 9 971 971 2.304 568 4.938 10 971 971 2.304 568 5.506 11 971 971 2.304 568 6.074 Time of Investment Return (TIR): 18%. Pay back time: 3 years and 7 months.

evaluated. The equation of productivity suggested the exploitation of trees with minimum DBH of 10 cm (Ribeiro et al., 1993). By applying the same strategy, the expected productivity will be 55.7 kg/ha/cutting cycle (data not shown). The six 27 ha stands exploited annually would provide 1,503.9 kg of ‘palmito’ per year. Considering a 6% interest

Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014 rate per year, the internal return rate of the project would be 31.0%, with a pay back time of 2 years and 7 months, thus indicating the economic viability of the project (Pereira, 1994). Therefore, the management system of natural populations of ‘palmiteiro’ as proposed herein, not only enables the continuity of the exploitation process by preserving the demographic and genetic structure of the species, but also provides a significant economical return to the land owner.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OR DISCUSSION

Gomez-Pompa and Burley (1991) classified the management systems of tropical forests under three distinct types. The first type gives priority to the exploitation of one or few plant species and changes the forest structure in order to favor that species. The main focus of the second type is the least possible disturbance; it aims the acquisition of available products or suitable to be exploited at that moment. The third Reis et al. 13

includes the total or strict preservation of representative samples of the forest for biological conservation. However, it is possible to establish a dichotomy among these systems. Then, the first type could include systems requiring a less complex ecosystem by using silvicultural approaches addressed to benefit commercial species, like the Malayan uniform system. In opposition, type three could give priority to the conservation of the ecosystem biodiversity. Thus, exploitation rates are very different among them. The system proposed in this article differ from the previous one, in that level of exploitation that can be used depends on the maintenance of the diversity and on the ecosystem, even under the exploitation of multiple products. The maintenance of genetic variability and of demographic structure is taken into account into species demographic dynamics. Consequently, the management system proposed here tries to maintain the original structure and diversity of the ecosystem. In that sense, it shows some similari- ties with the third type of minimum disturbance, mentioned above. According to Berlyn and Ashton (1996), the primary motivation for a sustainable forest management is the continuation process, with secondary focus on growth, yield and multiple use. As a direct advantage, the system provides both timber and non-timber products contin- uously. The latter category comprises food, medicinal and ornamental plant species, fauna, fish, honey bee, water and recreation. Third, the Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014 multiple use compromises the benefits for the silvicultural and indus- trial sectors. The social benefits of maintaining a forest cover is the economical advantage of its exploitation. As stated by Buschbacher (1990), Gomez-Pompa and Burley (1991) and Schmidt (1991), one of the main reasons for the tropical forests management systems failure is non accomplishment of these aspects. Conservation and management are not incompatible. However, such premise can not be said to be true unless the forest is thoroughly considered. It means that exploitation must include logging and non-timber forest products as well. Thus, the viability of a sustainable yield management system necessarily implies in a forest multiple use conception, as discussed by Reis et al. (1994) and Berlyn and Ashton (1996). In Brazil, the Atlantic Forest exploitation is regulated either by federal law and state resolutions. The decree n_ 750/73 opens the opportunity for forest exploitation via sustainable management. Sup- port for regulating forest species exploitation in São Paulo State (Res- olution SMA, June 16, 1994/DPRN/SMA-SP) was provide by a ‘pal- 14 JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

miteiro’ management unit implemented in that State (Intervales Farm; Ribeiro et al., 1993). This initiative represents a pioneer work in generated sustainable technology transfer. This system can be adapted to small properties (areas under 50 ha), taking into account regional indexes (diameter and cutting cycle), the maintenance of mother trees, and the natural regeneration control in the area, as stated São Paulo State regulation. In Santa Catarina State, the regulation is supported by results obtained from studies carried out in Blumenau, SC (data not shown) (Portaria Interinstitucional 1, June 04, 1996/IBAMA-SEDUMA). There are also specific rules for small properties (under 30 ha). Recently, Orlande et al. (1996) published a specific work on Euterpe edulis, which may lead to a misleading of ‘palmiteiro’ management system approach presented in previous papers (Floriano et al., 1987; Fantini et al., 1992a; Reis et al., 1992; Ribeiro et al., 1993). One of the main features of the management system summarized in the present paper is the maintenance of the genetic diversity within the population, matching biological conservation with economic exploitation.

FINAL PROSPECTS

The conception of a continuous exploitation system, based on crite- Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014 ria proposed here for a ‘palmiteiro’ sustainable yield management, can not only conserve the forest resources and still be profitable, but also conciliate conflicting parties such as clandestine exploiters and envi- ronmentalists in search of profit and improved environmental conditions, respectively. Such model may combine ecosystem conservation and survival of the communities that are presently exploiting this forest species. This is one of the few or rare systems based on long term experiments, which may be a model system for tropical forests management. Consequently, similar strategies may be adapted from this model to several forest species of the ecosystem. Information generated on autoecology of tropical rain forest species allows the outline of possibilities concerning the sustainable use of individual and forest plant species. Every aspect surveyed herein regarding the management system proposed, focussed on the training and use of skilled human resources so as to clarify and apply ecology and management concepts to tropical forests. The scope of such proposal can only be reached by na interdisciplinary approach on the part Reis et al. 15

of biologists, agronomists, forestry engineers, geographers, and other professionals related to forestry. Similarly, a better integration between private enterprise and public research institutions is of major importance to the rational use of tropical ecosystems.

LITERATURE CITED

Alves, L.F. 1994. Competição intraespecífica de padrão espacial em uma população de Euterpe edulis Mart. (Arecaceae). M.Sc. Dissertation, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP. 67p. Berlyn, G.P. and P.M.S. Ashton. 1996. Sustainability of forests. Journal of Sustain- able Forestry, 3:77-89. Buschbacher, R.J. 1990. Natural forest management in the humid tropics: ecological, social, and economic considerations. Ambio, 19:253-258. Fantini, A.C., A. Reis, M.S. Reis, and M.P. Guerra. 1992a. Sustained yield management in tropical forest: a proposal based on the autoecology of the species. Sellowia, 42/44:25-33. Fantini, A.C., A. Reis, M.S. Reis, M.P. Guerra, and R.O. Nodari. 1992b. Correlações entre parâmetros fenotípicos e a produtividade de palmito (Euterpe edulis MAR- TIUS). In: 2_ Congresso Nacional Sobre Essências Nativas. Campos do Jordão- SP, Brazil, Revista do Instituto Florestal, V. 2. p.534-536. Fantini, A.C., M.S. Reis, E.Z. Sgrott, A. Reis, W.G. Portilho, and R.J. Ribeiro. 1993. Demografia de Euterpe edulis no Vale do Rio Ribeira do Iguape-SP. In: 7_ Con-

Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014 gresso Florestal Brasileiro, Curitiba-PR. Anais, p. 757. Fantini, A.C., R.O. Nodari, M.S. Reis, A. Reis, and R.J. Ribeiro. 1997. Estimativa da produtividade de palmito em plantas de palmiteiro (Euterpe edulis Martius) a partir de características fenotípicas. Revista Árvore, 21:49-57. Floriano, E.P., R.O. Nodari, A. Reis, M.S. Reis, and M.P. Guerra. 1987. Manejo do palmiteiro: uma proposta. In: I Encontro Nacional de Pesquisadores em Palmito. EMBRAPA, Curitiba (PR), Brazil, pp. 189-192. Gómez-Pompa, A. and F.W. Burley. 1991. The management of natural tropical forests. In: A. Gómez-Pompa, T.C. Whitmore and M. Hadley (eds.). Rain Forest Regeneration and Management. Unesco, Paris and The Pathernon Publishing Group, Carnforth, pp. 3-18. Negreiros, O.C. 1982. Características fitossociológicas de uma comunidade de Flo- resta Latifoliada Tropical visando ao manejo do palmito, Euterpe edulis Martius. M.Sc. Dissertation, ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba-SP, 110 p. Nodari, R.O., A. Reis, M.P. Guerra, M.S. Reis, and E. P. Floriano. 1987. Análise preliminar do inventário do palmiteiro em Floresta Ombrófila Densa Montana. In: I Encontro Nacional de Pesquisadores em Palmito, Curitiba. Anais, pp. 159-165. Orlande, T., J. Laarman, and J. Mortimer. 1996. Palmito sustentability and economics in Brazil’s Atlantic coastal forest. Forest Ecology and Management, 80:257-265. Pereira, L.B. 1994. Palmito: manejo sustentado e viabilidade econômica. Florestar Estatístico, 2(4):13-15. 16 JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

Reis, A. 1993. Manejo e conservação das florestas catarinenses. Full Professor The- sis. UFSC, Florianópolis-SC, Brazil, 137 p. Reis, A. 1995. Dispersão de sementes de Euterpe edulis Martius (Palmae) em uma Floresta Ombrófila Densa Montana da encosta Atântica em Blumenau-SC. Ph.D. Thesis,UNICAMP,Campinas,SP,P. Reis, A., M.S. Reis, and A.C. Fantini. 1992. Manejo de rendimento sustentado de Euterpe edulis MARTIUS In: 7( Congresso Florestal Estadual, Prefeitura Munici- pal de Nova Prata, Nova Prata-RS, Brazil, pp. 1226-1241. Reis, A., P. Y. Kageyama, M. S. Reis and A. Fantini. 1996. Demografia de Euterpe edulis Martius (Arecaceae) em uma Floresta Ombrófila Densa, em Blumenau SC. Sellowia, 45-58: 13-45. Reis,M.S.,A.Reis,R.O.Nodari,M.P.Guerra,A.C.Fantini,M.Ender,andA. Bassani. 1991. Incremento corrente anual do palmiteiro (Euterpe edulis)naFlo- resta Ombrófila Densa. Ínsula, 19: 51-56. Reis, M.S., E. Guimarães, and G.P. Oliveira. 1993. Estudos preliminares da biolo- gia reprodutiva do palmiteiro (Euterpe edulis) em mata residual do Estado de São Paulo. In: 7_ Congresso Florestal Brasileiro, SBS, Curitiba-PR, Brazil, pp. 358-360. Reis, M.S., R.O. Nodari, M. P. Guerra, A.C. Fantini, and A. Reis. 1994. An alterna- tive in situ conservation of the Tropical Atlantic Forest. In: FOREST 94 - 3_ Simpósio Internacional de Estudos ambientais sobre Ecossistemas Florestais. Se- cretaria do Meio Ambiente do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre-RS, Brazil, pp. 4-5. Reis, M.S. 1996. Distribuição e dinâmica da variabilidade genética em populações naturais de palmiteiro (Euterpe edulis Martius). Piracicaba, 210 p. (Doutoral

Downloaded by [UQ Library] at 15:21 22 November 2014 Thesis, ESALQ/USP). Reis, M.S., R.O. Nodari and M.P. Guera. 1998. Management of natural populations and maintenance of genetic diversity. In: IFS Worshop on Recent Advances in Biotechonology for Tree Conservation and Management, Florianópolis, 1997. Proceedings. pp. 145-156. Ribeiro, R.J., W.G. Portilho, A. Reis, A.C. Fantini, and M.S. Reis. 1993. O manejo sustentado do palmiteiro no Vale do Ribeira. Florestar Estatístico, 1(3):15-16. Schmidt, R.C, 1991. Tropical rain forest management: a status report. In: A. Gómez- Pompa, T.C. Whitmore and M. Hadley (eds.). Rain Forest Regeneration and Management. Unesco, Paris and The Pathernon Publishing Goup, Carnforth, pp. 181-206. Silva, D. 1991. Estrutura de tamanho e padrão espacial de uma população de Euterpe edulis Mart. (Arecaceae) em Mata Mesófila semidecídua no Município de Campi- nas, SP. M.Sc. Dissertation, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, 60 p. Terborgh, J. 1986. Keystone plant resources in tropical forests. In: M.E. Soulé (ed.), Conservation Biology: The Science of Scarcity and Diversity, Sinauer, Sunder- land, pp. 330-44. Tomlinson, P.B. 1961. Palmae. In: C.R. Metcalfe (ed.), Anatomy of the Monocotyle- dons. Clarendon Press, Oxford, V.2, 453 p. Reis et al. 17

Veloso, H.P. and R.M. Klein. 1957. As comunidades e associações vegetais da mata pluvial atlântica do sul do Brasil. I. As associações do Município de Brusque, Estado de Santa Catarina. Sellowia, 8: 81-235. Veloso, H.P. and R.M. Klein. 1959. As comunidades e associações vegetais da mata pluvial atlântica do sul do Brasil. II. Dinamismo e fidelidade das espécies em associações do Município de Brusque, Estado de Santa Catarina. Sellowia, 10: 9-124.

Received: December 18, 1997 Accepted: August 10, 1999

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