Assessing the extent of “conflict of use” in multipurpose tropical forest trees: A regional view

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2013-11, Vol.130, p.40-47
• Main Authors: Herrero-Jáuregui, Cristina, Guariguata, Manuel R., Cárdenas, Dairon, Vilanova, Emilio, Robles, Marco, Licona, Juan Carlos, Nalvarte, Walter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amazonia; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Bolivia; Calophyllum brasiliense; Carapa guianensis; Cedrela odorata; Ceiba pentandra; Colombia; Conflict (Psychology); Conflict of use; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Copaifera; development policy; Dipteryx; Ecuador; Environmental management; Ficus insipida; Forest management; Forest products; forest trees; Forestry; Forestry - economics; Forestry - legislation & jurisprudence; Forestry - methods; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; General forest ecology; Generalities. Production, biomass. Quality of wood and forest products. General forest ecology; Geography; Handroanthus chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus; Handroanthus serratifolius; Hymenaea courbaril; Integration; Jacaranda copaia; laws and regulations; lowland forests; Maclura; Multiple forest management; Multipurpose forest trees; Myroxylon balsamum; Non-timber forest products; nontimber forest products; Pentaclethra macroloba; Peru; Schefflera; Simarouba amara; Spondias mombin; Tabebuia impetiginosa; Terminalia amazonia; Timber; Trees; Tropical forests; Venezuela
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.08.044

In the context of multiple forest management, multipurpose tree species which provide both timber and non-timber forest products (NTFP), present particular challenges as the potential of conflicting use for either product may be high. One key aspect is that the magnitude of conflict of use can be location specific, thus adding complexity to policy development. This paper focuses on the extent to which the potential for conflict of use in multipurpose tree species varies across the Amazonian lowland forests shared by Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, emphasizing the economic dimension of conflict. Based on a review of the current normative and regulatory aspects of timber and NTFP extraction in the five countries, the paper also briefly discusses the opportunities and constraints for harmonization of timber and NTFP management of multipurpose species across the region. It was found that about half of the 336 timber species reviewed across the five countries also have non-timber uses. Eleven timber species are multipurpose in all five countries: Calophyllum brasiliense, Cedrela odorata, Ceiba pentandra, Clarisia racemosa, Ficus insipida, Jacaranda copaia, Schefflera morototoni, Simarouba amara and Terminalia amazonia. Seven other multipurpose species occurred only in either Venezuela (Tabebuia impetiginosa, Spondias mombin, Pentaclethra macroloba, Copaifera officinalis, Chlorophora tinctoria, Carapa guianensis) or Ecuador (Tabebuia chrysantha). Four multipurpose tree species presented the highest potential of conflict of use across the region: Dipteryx odorata, Tabebuia serratifolia, Hymenaea courbaril and Myroxylon balsamum yet these were not evenly distributed across all five countries. None of the five studied countries have specific legislation to promote sustainable use of any of the multipurpose species reported here and thus mitigate potential conflict of use; nor documented management options for integration or else segregation of both their timber and NTFP values. •What is the extent of conflict of use of multipurpose species across the Amazon?•We offer a regional vs. national review of the extent of conflict of use.•Half of the timber species listed across the five countries have a non-timber use.•Four multipurpose species present both high timber and no timber economic value.•There is no legal protection for any of the four species in any of the countries.