Illegal Palm Heart (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Geonoma edulis</Emphasis>) Harvest in Costa Rican National Parks: Patterns of Consumption and Extraction |
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Authors: | Olivia Sylvester Gerardo Avalos |
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Institution: | (1) Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, 2060 San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica;(2) The School for Field Studies, Center for Sustainable Development Studies, 10 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970, USA |
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Abstract: | Illegal Palm Heart (Geonoma edulis) Harvest in Costa Rican National Parks: Patterns of Consumption and Extraction. Illegal extraction of non-timber forest products in the tropics is widespread, and many protected areas face the challenge
of balancing conservation needs with cultural practices related to the use and extraction of animals and plants. We studied
the illegal wild palm heart extraction of Geonoma edulis, locally known as súrtuba, in Volcán Poás and Braulio Carrillo National Parks in Costa Rica. Through 96 questionnaires administered in three communities
bordering these national parks, and by semistructured interviews with poachers and park managers, this study examined extraction
and consumption motives, patterns, and frequencies. This palm is sought out by the communities for use during Holy Week to
satisfy cultural traditions, for its associated nutritive value, and because of its unique bitter flavor, not comparable to
domesticated palm heart. Whereas the majority of the respondents consume it during Holy Week (55.2%), a substantial number
(27.1%) consume G. edulis palm heart at least once a month. The majority extract once a year (58%); however, a minority (2.1%) rely on G. edulis for economic subsistence. This accounts for 72.6% of the reported extraction (over 4,500 palms per year) and is supplying
a year-round market for nontraditional use. Our results show that what most likely began as a cultural tradition has become
an uncontrolled, nontraditional source of income. Additional efforts should determine the feasibility of limited extraction
outside protected areas to satisfy traditional use. Such an effort entails the decentralization of biodiversity policies and
innovative methods to implement protective measures, as well as incentives for community involvement in the management of
this palm heart species. |
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Keywords: | Illegal extraction park-people interactions NTFPs palm heart Geonoma edulis Costa Rica |
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