Extrativismo vegetal na Mesorregião do sul do Amazonas: desafios ambientais, econômicos e sociais

Abstract

Plant extractivism plays a strategic role in the economy, food security, and livelihoods of traditional communities in the Amazon, while also contributing to the maintenance of forest-based productive systems. This study evaluated the productive, economic, and territorial dynamics of plant extractivism in eight municipalities of southern Amazonas State, Brazil—Apuí, Canutama, Humaitá, Lábrea, Manicoré, Novo Aripuanã, Pauini, and Tapauá—between 2019 and 2024. Official data from the Production of Plant Extraction and Silviculture survey (PEVS/IBGE) were used for açaí, Brazil nut, copaiba, and natural rubber, together with selected socioeconomic and food security indicators. The database was analyzed through descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation, Principal Component Analysis, Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling, temporal regression, the Mann–Kendall test, and hierarchical clustering. The results revealed marked territorial heterogeneity in production and economic value. Humaitá, Lábrea, and Manicoré formed the most diversified and productive group, with greater participation of açaí and Brazil nut, whereas Apuí, Canutama, Pauini, Tapauá, and Novo Aripuanã showed more heterogeneous and specialized profiles, particularly Novo Aripuanã in copaiba production. Açaí and Brazil nut presented the greatest physical volumes and economic relevance, while copaiba achieved high monetary returns despite lower production volumes. Temporal analyses indicated substantial annual variability and distinct trajectories among products and municipalities. The contribution of extractivism to municipal economies was uneven and did not depend exclusively on total production. Overall, plant extractivism remains economically relevant and socially strategic in southern Amazonas, although its consolidation requires improved infrastructure, value addition, technical assistance, market access, territorially differentiated public policies, and stronger local productive organizations.