Unsustainable Management of Arumã (Ischnosiphon polyphyllus

Abstract

Brazil: Non–timber forest products (NTFP) represent potentially sustainable economic alternatives for traditional peoples. However, exploiting NTFPs involves challenges, including successful insertion of products into conventional markets, accommodating legal or traditional–use restrictions, and negotiating access to traditionally occupied territories. Some of these restrictions are due to the creation of conservation units. Here we present information on the effects of creation of a conservation unit on the viability of an NTFP–extraction initiative by the members of the Artisans Association of Novo Airão (AANA), Amazonas State, Brazilian Amazon. Those artisans make vegetable fiber handicrafts using the leafstalks of arumã (Ischnosiphon polyphyllus – Marantaceae), which is common in seasonally flooded areas near Novo Airão. Conservation areas surround the town of Novo Airão and AANA members are prohibited from harvesting arumã leafstalks in these areas. In 2000, alternative areas for harvesting were suggested by environmental institutes, and management of arumã was concentrated along four rainforest streams close to Novo Airão. Harvest sites were monitored for three years, but there was no increase in growth rate as a result of harvesting, and leafstalk density did not completely recover between samples. High growth rates of arumã leafstalks suitable for handicraft manufacture are found only in areas where people manage the tree cover, but these practices are not permitted by current legislation, even in areas outside conservation units. To obtain arumã using traditionally sustainable methods, AANA requires the right to work and manage forests in protected areas. The lack of regionally appropriate public and environmental policy has resulted in a major impediment to a sustainable and locally run development activity. © 2016, The New York Botanical Garden.