Use of non-wooden forest products in the National Forest of Tapajos communities

The aim of this article is to characterize the use of non-timber forest products (NTFP) by riverine populations in communities in Flona Tapajos, including issues related to the main species collected, their uses and attribution of value to the manufactured products. the use of non-timber forest products (NTFP) by riverine populations in communities in Flona Tapajos, including issues related to the main species collected, their uses and attribution of value to the products made. A rapid rural appraisal (RRA) was conducted with community NTFP collectors, followed by interviews with the artisans, including a total of 10 people. The most cited species in the RRA were morototo, bead tree, tento amarelo, wingleaf soapberry, acai palm, jutai, and Job's tears, which are used to produce handicrafts and bio-jewels. In addition, buriti, tucuma, and curua fiber and lapachillo, itauba, cedar, arara castanha, and molongo wood were used. The price of bio-jewels varies from BRL 2 to 20, and of the wood ornamental pieces from BRL 10 to 300. The main advantages of working with NTFP highlighted in the interviews were that seed collection is easy, that there is demand, and that income is generated for community members. The difficulties mentioned were the collection and processing of morototo and parica seed, and access to trees. Jamaraqua, Maguari, and Sao Domingos are successful examples of forest products that consolidated the market and are cultural and social representation of the forest peoples.