Ecological Adaptation of Wild Peach Palm, Its In Situ Conservation and Deforestation-Mediated Extinction in Southern Brazilian Amazonia
2009

Wild Peach Palm Conservation in the Brazilian Amazon

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Clement Charles R., Santos Ronaldo P., Desmouliere Sylvain J. M., Ferreira Evandro J. L., Neto João Tomé Farias

Primary Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia

Hypothesis

Wild peach palm is best adapted to Ultisols in open forests across the Arc of Fire and westward into the more humid western Amazonia.

Conclusion

Many populations of wild peach palm are now isolated due to forest fragmentation, leading to decreased reproduction and potential extinction.

Supporting Evidence

  • Wild peach palm populations are generally small, often fewer than 10 plants.
  • Deforestation for agriculture is leading to the extinction of wild peach palm in some areas.
  • Federal conservation areas are less numerous in the Arc of Fire compared to other parts of Brazilian Amazonia.

Takeaway

Wild peach palm is a plant that grows in the Amazon rainforest, but it's in danger because people are cutting down the trees around it. If we don't help it, it might disappear.

Methodology

The study involved prospecting expeditions to examine critical areas for wild peach palm and mapping its distribution in relation to soils and vegetation types.

Limitations

The study's findings are based on limited observations and may not represent the entire distribution of wild peach palm.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0004564

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