Anthropized riparian forests show non-timber forest product potential in an industrial hub of the Eastern Amazon

Abstract

Understanding the non-timber use potential of riparian forests is essential for advancing the sociobioeconomy in anthropized regions of the Amazon. This study assessed the use potential of species recorded in riparian forests and identified the factors associated with their distribution in an industrial hub in the Brazilian Amazon. Species with the highest importance value index along the region’s main rivers and with some conservation status were classified according to their potential uses (food, medicinal, cosmetic, and handicraft). Potential distribution modeling was performed using maximum entropy, considering hydrological, topographic, and land-use variables. A total of 25 species were evaluated, of which only 18 presented at least one use category. The most frequent uses were medicinal, food-related, handicraft, and cosmetic, respectively. The palms Euterpe oleracea and Mauritia flexuosa stood out for their use potential across all categories, whereas Byrsonima spicata , Eschweilera coriacea , and Apuleia leiocarpa exhibited only a single known use. The most commonly used plant parts were bark (13 species), associated with medicinal purposes; fruits (10 species), mainly for food; and leaves (6 species), primarily used in phytotherapy. However, only three species met the criteria for modeling: E. coriacea , M. flexuosa and Symphonia globulifera . Thus, E. coriacea and S. globulifera showed negative influence from land use, while M. flexuosa exhibited a positive relationship with slope. The functional and use diversity identified highlights the high bioeconomic potential of Amazonian riparian forests; however, the negative influence of land use underscores the importance of integrated conservation strategies and sustainable management of non-timber forest products in anthropized areas.

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