When the Amazonian rain forest is cut to create pasture, some of the original vegetal species survive clearing, even expressing their ability to invade agro-systems. It is true of the babassu palm, which can be considered, paradoxically, a natural resource by the "Interstate Movement of Babassu Fruit Breaker Women" or as native weed by land owners-farmers. To manage potential conflict of land uses, we study here the current density of this palm tree in different habitats, based on a combination of field data and remote sensing data. Firstly, we checked that the field survey methodology (i.e., counting free-trunk palm trees over 20 cm in circumference) provides density values compatible with those stemming from satellite images interpretation. We can see then that, a PA-Benfica Brazilian territory revealed an average density of the babassu lower in pastures (2.86 ind/ha) than in the dense forest (4.72 ind/ha) from which they originate and than in fallow land (4.31 ind/ha). We analyze in detail density data repartition in three habitats and we discuss results from the literature on the density of this palm tree versus its resilience at different developmental stages after forest clearing, depending on anthropogenic-or not-factors, including solar radiation, fire, weeding, clear cutting, burying fruit, and competition with forage grass. All these results can be exploited for the design of future management plans for the babassu palm and we think that the linked methodology and interdisciplinary approach can be extended to others palms and trees species in similar problematic issues.

High spatial resolution images as well as image processing and object detection algorithms are recent technologies that aid the study of biodiversity and commercial plantations of forest species. This paper seeks to contribute knowledge regarding the use of these technologies by studying randomly dispersed native palm tree. Here, we analyze the automatic detection of large circular crown (LCC) palm tree using a high spatial resolution panchromatic GeoEye image (0.50 m) taken on the area of a community of small agricultural farms in the Brazilian Amazon. We also propose auxiliary methods to estimate the density of the LCC palm tree Attalea speciosa (babassu) based on the detection results. We used the "Compt-palm" algorithm based on the detection of palm tree shadows in open areas via mathematical morphology techniques and the spatial information was validated using field methods (i.e. structural census and georeferencing). The algorithm recognized individuals in life stages 5 and 6, and the extraction percentage, branching factor and quality percentage factors were used to evaluate its performance. A principal components analysis showed that the structure of the studied species differs from other species. Approximately 96% of the babassu individuals in stage 6 were detected. These individuals had significantly smaller stipes than the undetected ones. In turn, 60% of the stage 5 babassu individuals were detected, showing significantly a different total height and a different number of leaves from the undetected ones. Our calculations regarding resource availability indicate that 6870 ha contained 25,015 adult babassu palm tree, with an annual potential productivity of 27.4 t of almond oil. The detection of LCC palm tree and the implementation of auxiliary field methods to estimate babassu density is an important first step to monitor this industry resource that is extremely important to the Brazilian economy and thousands of families over a large scale.

Alessio Moreira dos Santos 2 e Danielle Mitja 3 RESUMO -Na microrregião de Marabá, PA, as pastagens dos agricultores familiares apresentam alta diversidade de árvores e palmeiras que têm papel importante tanto para limitação da degradação da biodiversidade quanto para suas utilidades. O trabalho foi realizado em 26 propriedades, onde 62 pastagens foram visitadas junto com o agricultor. Em cada pastagem foram repertoriadas todas as árvores e palmeiras presentes. Setenta e uma espécies foram encontradas, pertencentes a 32 famílias, das quais nove se destacaram com maior número de espécies: Caesalpiniaceae (11), Mimosaceae (10), Arecaceae (4), Lecythidaceae (4), Bignoniaceae (3), Fabaceae (3), Moraceae (3), Sapotaceae (3) e Sterculiaceae (3); 20 famílias apresentaram uma única espécie. Vinte e quatro espécies (34% do total) pertenceram às três famílias Leguminosae (Fabaceae, Caesalpiniaceae e Mimosaceae). As espécies arborescentes são conservadas principalmente em razão dos usos diversos na propriedade. Das 21 espécies, indicadas para arborização de pastagens de agricultores desta e de outras comunidades, nove espécies são particularmente recomendadas pela resistência ao fogo e para muitos anos de pastagem, pelo fato de ter dois usos ou mais:

Abstract:This article aims to analyze the agricultural activities of family farmers and its impact on the environment in Palmares II Settlement, located in the municipality of Parauapebas, PA, and discuss the potential for local development. The economic and ecological sustainability of family farms can be achieved through the empowerment of families settled in farming techniques that conserve natural resources and training for the industrialization of the products being sold in local market. Key words: Family agriculture. Local Development. Sustainability. Résumé:Cet article vise à analyser les activités agricoles des paysans et leur impact sur l'environnement dans la localité de Palmares II, située dans la municipalité de Parauapebas, état du Pará, et de discuter du potentiel pour le développement local. La durabilité économique et écologique des exploitations familiales peut être atteinte en favorisant l'autonomie des familles installées, en matière de techniques agricoles qui préservent les ressources naturelles et de formation pour l'industrialisation des produits agricoles vendus sur le marché local. Mots-clés: Agriculture familiale. Développement local. Durabilité.Resumen: El objetivo de este artículo es de analizar las actividades agrícolas de los habitantes de Palmares II, en el município de Parauapebas, Estado del Pará, y sus impactos sobre el medio ambiente para discutir de sus possibles contribuciones para el desarrollo local. La sustentabilidad económica y ecológica de la agricultura familiar puede lograrse mediante la difusión de técnicas de cultivo que conservan los recursos naturales y la capacitación de los agricultores para la industrialización de productos que se venden en el mercado local. Palabras claves: Agricultura familiar. Desarrollo local. Sustentabilidad.

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Attalea speciosa (babassu) is a native palm of the primary forest from Amazonian and Cerrado biomes, and has multiple economic and cultural uses. However, this palm can become dominant in open areas, with a long-term persistence in the community. The objective of this study was to compare the population structure and morphology of babassu in three habitat types characterizing forest succession: primary forest, pasture, and babaçual (babassu-dominated secondary forest). For this purpose, we monitored 6,333 individuals for three years at six life stages in 11 sites with 25 plots located in PA-Benfica, Itupiranga-Pará, Brazil. The morphological parameters showed differences between secondary environments (pasture and babaçual) and primary forests, suggesting that this species has a high capacity for phenotypic plasticity. The inverse J-shaped distribution was observed only in primary forests, with the density of all stages constant along the whole study, unlike pastures and babaçual areas. While the density of seedlings is highest in primary forests, stage 4 and 5 juveniles and adults are most numerous in babaçuals. Our results suggest that the higher dominance of A. speciosa in babaçual areas can be associated with the resilience of this species to anthropogenic disturbances.

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