Use of the palm Euterpe edulismartius in landscape units managed by migrants of German origin in Southern Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundPeople influence their environments through the manipulation of landscapes and species. Human influence on the landscape may lead to the development of differentiated landscape units that originate from past use and may be related to the presence of certain species. This study investigated the presence of the palm Euterpe edulis and its current and past importance in landscape units established by a community of German descendants located in southern Brazil. The objectives of this study were to characterize the use of the species, to identify the importance of E.edulis for the German immigrant community, to identify past and current uses of E.edulis, to describe the historical use of the landscape, and lastly, to identify landscape units in which E.edulis is found.MethodsThe researched community is composed of people of German descent residing in southern Brazil. A variety of research tools were used to achieve the objectives of the research. Semi-structured interviews and free-listings were conducted in all family units. The interviews focused on groups of people in the community who had current or historical connection with the species. Group workshops and guided tours were conducted to identify different landscape units. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, use-value index, citation frequency, salience index, and informant perception analysis.ResultsOver the historical period studied, the community demonstrated changes with respect to economic activities. These changes are reflected in the transformation of the landscape. The species E.edulis was and still is very important for people in the community; its importance is reflected in its high use value, citation frequency and salience. The species is found within various landscape units in the community as well as in homegardens and in secondary forests.ConclusionsThe landscape heterogeneity of this community is influenced by changes in economic activities and by the relationship with the conservation unit. Landscape units resulting from this relationship may be identified. The species E.edulis is found within these landscape units and is integrated into the livelihood of the community.

Aprovechamiento múltiple de los frutos de Euterpe edulis Mart. (Arecaceae): La conservación del poder germinativo como aspecto clave en el manejo de la especie.

“…Las palmeras del género Euterpe representan recursos económicos y culturales claves para la subsistencia de los pueblos y la fauna que habitan en su área de distribución; dentro de los usos humanos más generalizados se destacan el alimenticio, ornamental, medicinal y para la construcción Clement et al, 2005;Keller, 2009;Barroso et al, 2010;Milanesi et al, 2013;García et al, 2020). Euterpe edulis Martius es la especie del género con distribución más austral y endémica del Bosque Atlántico (en Paraguay, Brasil y Argentina) (Henderson, 2000).…”

Use of Logistic Regression Model for Prediction of Non-Timber Forest Products

“…The exploitation of fruits for pulp production is a recent option of economic use that generates low impact on the Euterpe edulis population [8]. The product is equivalent to the Amazonian açaí, produced by Euterpe oleracea Mart.…”

Influence of plot size on distribution analyses and effects of altitude on spatial patterns of palm heart in Submontane Tropical Rainforest, Ibirama, Brazil

“…is a key plant of tropical rainforests (Capretez 2004) and has a historical legacy in Brazil once it became commercially important. Its products are oil, fruit, heart, stipe (in constructions) and leaves (in several products) (Bondar 1964, Milanesi et al 2013. It is known that spatial distribution of E. edulis is cluster (Anjos et al 1998, Oliveira et al 2001, Costa Silva et al 2003, and that this species prefers areas rich in water content; however, there is no specifications regarding the relationship of this species with altitude.…”