Abundance, Density, and Economic Value of the Irapay Palm (Lepidocaryum tenue) in Three Topographically Different Areas of the Peruvian Amazon

Presentation Type

Poster/Portfolio

Presenter Major(s)

Geography and Planning

Mentor Information

James Penn

Department

Geography and Planning

Location

Henry Hall Atrium 24

Start Date

10-4-2013 9:00 AM

End Date

10-4-2013 10:00 AM

Keywords

Environment, Sustainability, Amazon, Palms, Iquitos

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the density and abundance of the irapay palm (Lepidocaryum tenue) in northeastern Peru. L. tenue is heavily exploited for use in the construction of roof thatch known as crisneja. Transects measuring 500 by 10 meters wide were used to conduct censuses of the palms and survey topography. The mean number of usable palm fronds (for thatch) on each adult palm was determined from a random sample of 100 palms in each study area. The economic value of irapay populations in the forest was then calculated based on the mean density of usable palm fronds in each study area. Results indicate that irapay palm distribution varies in density, which may be related to topography. Irapay was most abundant near a village where it is intensely harvested for sale as roof thatch, but had the lowest number of usable fronds per palm. The economic value of irapay ranged from $1.20 to 10.29 per hectare between the three study areas.

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Apr 10th, 9:00 AM Apr 10th, 10:00 AM

Abundance, Density, and Economic Value of the Irapay Palm (Lepidocaryum tenue) in Three Topographically Different Areas of the Peruvian Amazon

Henry Hall Atrium 24

The purpose of this study was to examine the density and abundance of the irapay palm (Lepidocaryum tenue) in northeastern Peru. L. tenue is heavily exploited for use in the construction of roof thatch known as crisneja. Transects measuring 500 by 10 meters wide were used to conduct censuses of the palms and survey topography. The mean number of usable palm fronds (for thatch) on each adult palm was determined from a random sample of 100 palms in each study area. The economic value of irapay populations in the forest was then calculated based on the mean density of usable palm fronds in each study area. Results indicate that irapay palm distribution varies in density, which may be related to topography. Irapay was most abundant near a village where it is intensely harvested for sale as roof thatch, but had the lowest number of usable fronds per palm. The economic value of irapay ranged from $1.20 to 10.29 per hectare between the three study areas.