Suitable areas for Juçara palm (Euterpe edulis Martius) cultivation in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil: proposal to encourage agro-ecological practices and non-timber products

  • Tamíres Partélli Correia Núcleo de Ciências Ambientais. Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Sudeste de Minas Gerais (IFSUDESTEMG), Campus Barbacena, Rua Monsenhor José Augusto, n° 204, CEP: 36205-018, Barbacena, MG, Brazil.
  • Carlos Henrique Rodrigues de Oliveira Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agroecologia. Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Espírito Santo (IFES), Rodovia ES-482, Cachoeiro-Alegre, Km 72, CEP: 29500-000, Alegre, ES, Brazil. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agroquímica. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Alto Universitario, s/n, CEP: 29500-000, Alegre, ES, Brazil.
  • Gustavo Bastos Lyra Instituto de Florestas. Departamento de Ciências Ambientais. Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Rodovia BR-465, Campus UFRRJ, CEP:23891-000, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
  • Marcio Rocha Francelino Departamento de Solos. Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Avenida P.H. Rolfs, s/n, CEP: 36570-900, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
  • Fabricia Benda de Oliveira Departamento de Geologia. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Alto Universitario, s/n, CEP: 29500-000, Alegre, ES, Brazil.
  • Bruna Chaves Amaral Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agroquímica. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Alto Universitario, s/n, CEP: 29500-000, Alegre, ES, Brazil.
  • Marinna Lopes Ferreira Gomes Department of Natural Resources. Humboldt State University, E 17th St, 95521, Arcata, California, United States.
  • Maria Eduarda Marques da Conceição Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agroquímica. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Alto Universitario, s/n, CEP: 29500-000, Alegre, ES, Brazil.
  • Marks Melo Moura Polícia Civil de Mato Grosso do Sul. Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Rua XV de Novembro, n° 1299, CEP: 80060-000, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
  • Bruno Araujo Furtado de Mendonça Instituto de Florestas. Departamento de Silvicultura. Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Rodovia BR-465, Campus UFRRJ, CEP:23.891-000, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4136/ambi-agua.3033

Abstract

The Juçara palm (Euterpe edulis Mart.) is a native species of the Atlantic Forest biome, with high commercial value due to, among other uses, the extraction of the palm heart and pulp. This species has essential ecological interaction with fauna, providing food for many frugivorous species. However, it is on the list of endangered species, mainly due to the disorderly exploration of the palm tree for the extraction of the palm heart, but also due to climate change, habitat fragmentation, and defaunation. In this context, understanding which areas are suitable to grow this species is important for planning and supporting decision-making, as well as delimiting areas environmentally suitable according to the optimal requirements of species and land-use occupation. Our aim was to identify the suitable areas to cultivate Juçara palm in the State of Rio de Janeiro and provide a set of supporting maps and information for this productive sector, to increase agroforestry systems, or even for forest conservation and restoration purposes. Environmental parameters for the species (soil, elevation, air temperature and rainfall), and land use and land cover were assessed in order to perform the mapping of the optimal areas. The results indicate a potential for cultivation of Juçara palm in the State of Rio de Janeiro. All regions of the State have suitable areas, especially the Médio Vale do Paraíba, Centro–Sul, and Baixadas Litorâneas. The most restrictive variables to grow Juçara Palm in Rio de Janeiro State were rainfall and inadequate land use/cover for planting.

Keywords: environmentally suitable areas, geoprocessing, Juçara palm, planning.


Published
28/02/2025
Issue
Vol. 20 (2025)
Section
Papers

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