Weak control and monitoring of logging permits put the most commercially valuable Amazonian tree species at risk in Brazil.

The Forest and Landscape Restoration movement has emerged as an approach to reconcile biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services provisioning and human well-being in degraded landscapes, but little is known so far about the potential of different reforestation methods to achieve these objectives. Based on this gap, we assessed the ecological outcomes and local livelihood benefits of community-managed agroforests and second growth forests to assist natural regeneration in the coastal Atlantic Forest of Brazil. We investigated and compared agroforests and secondary forests according to their structure and floristic composition in 51 circular plots of 314 m², their role in supporting local livelihoods (45 semi-structured interviews) and the use and cultural importance of plant species (61 interviews). Agroforests and, more remarkably, managed secondary forests (1) re-established a well-developed forest structure, with a higher density of tree-sized individuals and similar basal area compared to nearby old growth forests; (2) were composed by a rich array of native species, including five threatened species, but had lower species richness than old growth remnants; and (3) improved local livelihoods by supplying market valuable and culturally important plants, including 231 native ethnospecies. Overall, local production systems showed remarkable potential to engage smallholders of developing tropical countries in Forest and Landscape Restoration and contribute to achieve its overall goals. We advocate the promotion of these systems as effective Forest and Landscape Restoration approaches in multi-scale programs and policies.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.

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Psychotria viridis Ruiz & Pav. (Rubiaceae) occurs naturally throughout the Amazon and it is traditionally used by indigenous communities, being incorporated into religious use in urban contexts over the last few decades. It is known and cultivated in many regions of South America for possessing valuable bioactive alkaloids. In this paper, we described P. viridis leaf morphology, anatomy and histochemistry from three populations cultivated in the southeastern Brazil, in order to identify possible adaptations to local environment and management. All plants presented terminal stipules and basic morpho-anatomical patterns of leaves, consistent with most species of the genus, as heterogeneous dorsiventral mesophyll, uniseriate epidermis, presents large cells with prominent vacuoles and druses. Unicellular non-glandular trichomes and multicellular starry trichomes were present in the primary and secondary veins. Amphi-hypostomatic leaf pattern, not yet described for the species, was common in all studied plants. Variation in the presence of domatia in the same population indicates that this structure cannot be used for taxonomic determination of P. viridis, as already described for other species of the genus. Presence of secretory ducts and reduction in stomata density and leaf area represent the main morpho-anatomic adaptations of plants from drier and warmer climates. Histochemical tests were positive for alkaloids, polysaccharides, proteins and phenolic compounds, being negative for starch only in plants subjected to water stress. We concluded that the morpho-anatomical and histochemical alterations found in the plants of this study resulted from seasonal water deficit adaptations and to maintain or attract mutualistic organisms.

Recent global commitments to forest and landscape restoration in the tropics call for new management approaches that benefit both biodiversity and livelihoods of forest‐dependent people. The sustainable use of wild forest products is a promising pathway, but requires clarity about harvested species' demography and harvesters' rights. Here, we explored how the exploitation of fruits of the threatened palm Euterpe edulis, a key fruit source for wildlife in Brazil's globally important Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, could trigger local community involvement in restoration. This palm has both non‐destructive (fruit) and destructive (palm heart) culinary uses, each with unique biological and resource‐use conditions. We quantified all demographic stages of this species in multiple agroforests, secondary forests, and protected areas to parameterize demographic projections of palm populations, harvest profitability, and fruit provisioning to wildlife under different management scenarios. Field observations showed a clear depression of adult palm populations in protected areas, likely due to palm heart poaching, and of intermediate size classes in agroforests, probably from weeding by farmers. Field data and demographic models reveal that in this region, agroforests and secondary forests can successfully conserve this species while providing lasting profits for farmers under most scenarios. These findings demonstrate a clear case where local stakeholders both contribute to and benefit from restoration through harvest of wild products and also highlight a potential source of income from regenerating tropical forests.

Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.) is vital for livelihoods in the Amazon region as a source of income and food, and since it is collected mainly from old-growth forests, it is also a cornerstone for forest conservation. This chapter presents socioeconomic and cultural characteristics of Brazil nut collectors, depicting their production systems and identifying individual perceptions about the effects of this activity on their livelihoods and on forest conservation. We interviewed 119 collectors, organized in associations, cooperatives, or autonomous informal organizations. Collectors live from agriculture, fishing, and forest extractivism, and reported the of use more than 30 forest products, highlighting their refined knowledge on forests. On the other hand, they have little access to formal education and information technology. The collection of Brazil nuts proved to positively impacts livelihoods’ capitals, being a key species for forest conservation and maintenance of Amazonian livelihoods. Forests are plentiful in Brazil nut trees and collectors are much more likely to remain in forests, incentivizing their conservation. Moreover, the organization into associations or cooperatives is especially positive to broaden sales options and achieve better market prices, breaking historical cycles where middlemen played a preponderant role in Brazil nut commercialization processes across the Amazon region.

A castanha-do-brasil, fruto da Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl., é coletada de forma extrativista, sendo amplamente consumida e uma importante fonte de renda para os coletores. Os objetivos dessa pesquisa foram caracterizar o processo produtivo e identificar os efeitos da coleta sobre os meios de vida. Foram entrevistados 119 coletores organizados em: associação, cooperativa e autônomos. Os dados foram tratados com análise exploratória, estatística descritiva e testes de comparação de médias. Os coletores têm seus meios de vida estruturados na agricultura, pesca e extrativismo florestal. Utilizam mais de 30 produtos florestais não madeireiros, demonstrando um amplo conhecimento tradicional, por outro lado, têm pouco acesso à educação formal e à tecnologia da informação. A coleta de castanha mostrou-se uma atividade que impacta positivamente os capitais dos meios de vida, sendo a castanheira, fundamental para a conservação da floresta.