Ecosystems and target species
© Photo courtesy of C. Navarro.
CENTRAL AMERICA/COSTA RICA
Economically important timber tree species have been selected to assess
the impact/threat of logging and fragmentation on natural populations of these species.
Mahogany, Swietenia macrophylla (Meliaceae)
This species is subject to extensive extraction for timber and is increasingly threatened.
Spanish Cedar, Cedrela odorata (Meliaceae)
This is an economically important timber species and is already the subject of a number of
tree improvement programmes and provenance trials in Central America. It is monoecious and
has wind dispersed seed.
Vochysia ferruginea (Vochysiaceae)
Is a multipurpose, self incompatable, tree species with wind-dispersed seed.
Hyeronima alchorneoides (Euphorbiaceae)
Is a dioecious tree species whose seeds are dispersed by birds. It is also an important
timber species.
Lonchocarpus costaricensis (Leguminoseae)
Is an important species for fuelwood, timber and the production of a natural nematicide.
It is endemic to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
© Photo courtesy of INRA.
FRENCH GUYANE
Species growing in Frech Guyane have been selected for contrasting life history
traits that are likely to affect levels of genetic diversity. These traits are related to;
dispersion mechanisms (through pollen and seed), phenology and spatial distribution
patterns.
Cecropia obtusa (Cecropiaceae)
Is a pioneer tree species of only limited commercial value and a source of food for large
mammals.
Qualea rosea (Vochysiaceae)
Is presently the third most economically important timber species in French Guyane.
Symphonia globulifera (Clusiaceae)
Occurs in the same forest stands as Qualea, but is not exploited, although it is used for
small scale timber production in the West Indies and Central America.
Ocotea rubra (Lauraceae)
Is an economically important timber species
Eperua falcata (Caesalpiniaceae)
Is an important timber species with a patchy distribution in climax forest.
© Photo courtesy of INRA.
CARIBBEAN ISLANDS
Tabebuia heterophylla (Bignoniacea)
Is a multipurpose, economically important timber species found growing in the great and
lesser Antilles. It has a broad ecological range and grows on both volcanic and calcareous
soils. It has been extensively logged and subjected to genetic erosion, despite efforts at
afforestation in several islands. Previous studies have shown that populations are highly
differentiated as a result of genetic drift and a reduction in geneflow.
BRAZIL
Attention will be focussed on the Atlantic coastal forest, which has been reduced
to about 2 % of its original extent and is now internationally recognised as a priority
for tropical moist forest conservation, and the Amazonian forest, of which about 15 % has
been degraded, and which is under ever-increasing pressure.
Atlantic coastal forest of Brazil: work will focus on species that are on the margins of
the forest and the coastal systems. This region of the forest is the most severely
affected, directly and indirectly, by human activities.
Three species have been selected for this study, based on their economic importance and/or
their unique role in the maintenance of the local ecosystem:
Eugenia uniflora (Myrtaceae)
A species endemic to the Brazilian coastal vegetation. It produces a berry called
'pitanga', rich in vitamin C and highly appreciated in Brazil, and the leaves are used
medicinally. It is also important in the maintenance of the woody coastal ecosystem, as it
provides food for the rich variety of birds in this region. Additionally Eugenia uniflora
is one of the most important colonising species for disturbed sites, being therefore
important in programmes aiming at coastal forest regeneration.
Anacardium occidentale (Anacardiaceae)
Is a medium size tree, some 20 metres in height, and produces 'cashew', a delicious
pseudo-fruit of high commercial value. Its fleshy pulp is used for refreshing drinks and
the nuts are much appreciated. Both the juice and the nuts are commercially exploited and
constitute one of the major fruit products of Brazil.
Avicennia tomentosa (Rhizophoraceae)
This pioneer mangrove species grows into a tree about 3m in height, and is characteristic
of the coastal forest. It is one of the major tree species growing in proximity to salty
lakes, where it occurs at high density. It is fundamental to the maintenance of the lake
fauna, because it feeds the aquatic micro fauna at the begining of the lake food chain.
© Photos courtesy of R. Gribel.
AMAZONIAN FOREST
Swietenia macrophylla (Meliaceae)
The 'big leaf' mahogany is the most valuable timber species from the Amazon region. Timber
extraction occurs in a selective and non-sustainable way, likely to cause genetic erosion,
and many populations are now severely depleted. The conservation status of this tree is
the subject of increasing concern.
Pseudobombax munguba (Bombacaceae)
Is an important species of the varzea (white-water inundation) forest, pollinated by bats,
and its seeds are an important source of food for many commercially important fish
species. Its breeding system, pollination ecology and floral biology are already known.
Caryocar villosum (Caryocaraceae)
Is an emergent tree of the terra firme habitat which has been intensively harvested for
timber in the Central Brazilian Amazon. The seeds of the species are very rich in oil and
are an important food for the local fauna (particularly mammals).
