Potential Management of Chamaedorea seifrizii (Palmae), a Non-timber Forest Product from the Tropical Forest of Calakmul, Southeast Mexico¹

Potential Management of Chamaedorea seifrizii (Palmae), a Non-timber Forest Product from the Tropical Forest of Calakmul, Southeast Mexico. Leaves and seeds of Chamaedorea (xate) palms are important non-timber forest products (NTFPs). In the Calakmul region (Yucatan Peninsula) of Mexico, several communities have sporadically collected and sold seeds of C. seifrizii since 1980. However, harvesting has intensified recently, raising concerns about overexploitation. To evaluate the economic potential of leaf and seed exploitation in the area, we collected information on abundance, population patterns, and leaf and seed stocks in Ejido Conhuas, a community within the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (CBR). Then we combined these data with current market values and hypothetical management regimes obtained from the literature for leaves and seeds. Conducting a quantitative analysis of 43 0.1^ha plots with differences in forest and soil type, we assessed the abundance of C. seifrizzi in the area. We also conducted interviews to estimate the importance of xate in the local economy. We found C. seifrizii density to be highly variable, with a mean (±SE) of 295 (±35), with forest type being the most influential factor. Population structures differ between forest types, with healthy populations in medium and lower forest. We found a mean density of leaves of harvestable size of 3,750 (±380) leaves ha^-1, while seed production was 1.5 (±0.3) kg/ha^-1 of fresh seeds. Assuming sustainable harvest rates of 30–50% for leaves and 80% for seeds, one hectare of forest could generate USD 7.0–15.9/ha^-1. Considering the number of households (102) and 10% of the total area managed each year (5,700 ha), this harvest could generate a household income of USD 391–838 annually. At the moment, xate trade represents a minor component in the economy of the community, but given the area’s extensive forest (>57,000 ha), the resource abundance, and the low human population, we believe the NTFPs derived from C. seifrizii have a potentially great economic impact in the area.

Manejo potencial de Chamaedorea seifrizii (Palmae): Un producto forestal no maderable del bosque tropical de Calakmul, sureste de México. Las hojas y frutos de las palmas Chamaedorea (xate) representan un importante producto forestal no maderable. En la region de Calakmul, varias comunidades han recolectado y vendido esporadicamente semillas de C. seifrizii. Sin embargo, la cosecha se ha intensificado y hay preocupaciones de sobreexplotación. Para evaluar el potencial de la cosecha de hojas y semillas en la región de Calakmul realizamos una investigacion de abundancia y de su potencial económico en el Ejido Conhuas, una comunidad dentro de la Reserva de la Biosfera Calakmul. Evaluamos la abundancia de C. seifrizii en 43 sitios de 0.1 ha con diferencias en tipos de bosque y de suelo. Encontramos que la densidad de C. seifrizii es muy variable con una media (±ES) de 295 (±35), siendo el tipo de bosque el factor mas importante. La estructura de la población difiere entre tipos de bosques con las mejores poblaciones en selva mediana y baja. Las hojas cosechables fueron muy abudantes con una media de 3,750 (±380) leaves ha^-1, mientras que la producción de frutos fue de 1.5 (±0.3) kg/ha de fruto fresco. Asumiendo 30%–50% hojas of leaves and 80% de frutos como maximo de cosecha sustentable, la extracción de C. seifrizii generaría USD 7.0–15.9/ha. Considerando un número de familias (102) y el manejo de un 10% del área total de la comunidad (5,700 has), la cosecha de xate podria generar un ingreso annual de USD 391–838 anuales. Creemos que C. seifrizii representa un PFNM con un gran potencial económico.