Estructura y dinámica de la población de la palma de asaí (euterpe precatoria, mart.) En bosques fragmentados del piedemonte vecinos a la ciudad de Villavicencio, Meta.

Abstract

This research project evaluates the effect of fragmentation on the population size and demographic structure of the Açaí palm population (Euterpe precatoria, Mart.), based on the correlation between the size of different fragments of piedmont forest around the city of Villavicencio and the density attributes and population structure of the palm. It also provides additional knowledge about the impact of fragmentation on the abundance and palm fruit bunch production of the palm. For this, a methodology was established that allowed to estimate the density, reproductive rate, productivity and demographic structure (proportion of seedlings, juveniles and adults) in four study areas located in the city of Villavicencio – Meta (Loma Linda and Aguas Claras campus forests of the Santo Tomás University, Villavicencio Botanical Garden and Vanguardia Protected Forest Reserve), and and its variability according to the sites and the size of the fragments studied. These variables were correlated to determine the relation between the sizes of the forest fragments and the population structure of the palm. In 15 plots of 0.1 hectares all individuals of the species were registered. The results of those fragments less than 10 ha were analyzed and compared with forest fragments bigger than 10 ha. The average population density in smaller forests was 234 individuals/ha, with palms of different age groups (80 seedlings/ha, 48 juveniles I/ha, 36 juveniles II/ha, 40 juveniles III/ha and 30 adults/ha) and a productivity of 92 bunches/ha, while in forests bigger than 10 ha were found 22 seedlings/ha, 42 juveniles I/ha, 58 juveniles II/ha, 67 juveniles III/ha and 44 adults/ha, thus obtaining an overall population density of 233 individuals/ha with a productivity of 26 bunches/ha. Forests smaller than 10 hectares had higher bunch production due to the large number of reproductive adults compared to areas larger than 10 hectares. The population structure of the Asai palm in the fragments larger than 10 ha did not show an inverted J-shaped distribution, while the fragments smaller than 10 ha resembled this type of distribution by having a high proportion of individuals in the small height classes indicating high rates of establishment of seedlings whereof a small number reach higher height classes. Through the Mann-Whitney U test, it was found that there are no differences between the population densities of the two sizes of forest fragments, whereby it can be established that the fragmentation of habitats in the territory of Villavicencio does not significantly affect the population density of the Asai palm. This research contributes to the establishment of guidelines for the management of the wild population and allows for further studies related to measures for the exploitation and use of the palm with low negative impact on the future availability of the resource in fragmented areas.