Potential Vulnerability of Natural Populations of Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) to Anthropogenic Stressors in Southwestern Amazon

Abstract

One economically promising Amazonian species is camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) which fruits have the highest content of vitamin C recorded, with a high potential for applications on the food, supplement and cosmetic industry and which can be a cornerstone for agroforestry initiatives for Amazonian peasants. Camu-camu has an Amazon wide distribution although most studies and collections have occurred on the Central and Western Amazon. The aim of this study is to assess the distribution and potential vulnerability of camu-camu populations in the state of Rondônia, Brazil, the southern limit of its distribution, which exhibit a drier climate. We use data recorded in herbaria and a bioprospecting expedition and data on anthopogenic stressors, estratified at the municipal level, like fire events, deforestation and dams. Camu-camu records occur preferentially in the Central and Northern part of the state, however most of the collections are around cities, major rivers and roads, showing a strong collector bias. Municipalities with camu-camu records suffered higher rates of deforestation and show higher occurrence of fire events and planned dams than municipalities without camu-camu records. Camu-camu populations in Rondônia are thriving on drier conditions and may be more adapted for future prevalent conditions for the Amazon under climate change. These adaptations may be useful for future domestication efforts. We call for an increasing effort of collecting and salvaging camu-camu populations on human dominated landscapes and to encourage participatory conservation with local farmers, for an ex-situ conservation on rural landscapes, especially under the prospect of climate change.