Ecological study of swa (Carapa guianensis Aubl, Meliaceae) in three communities of the river Patuca, Honduras

Abstract

The Carapa guianensis, swa (name in miskito) or cedro macho (name in Spanish), is a native species of the humid tropical forests of America. Its wood is very useful and estimated by the natives, and from its seeds, a non forest wood product, called swa oil, is extracted, which is medicinal and cosmetic, and exported by the natives to a company of hair products in Canada. The ecological study was carried out in the communities of Wampusirpe, Kurhpa and Krausirpi, on the fertile plains of the Patuca river. Measurements of swa trees, as well as of other trees, were made, with the purpose of calculating ecological variables and estimating the capacity for extracting oil from the seeds, and with this information to be able to determine activities for managing their sustainability and avoiding any future ecological imbalance. Thirty oil producers were interviewed in order to find out their points of view on the resource. Based on the high results obtained in the transects, especially on the dominance and the importance value index of the swa trees measured, and extraction of 70% of the seeds on the ground is recommended, leaving the other 30% for the natural regeneration of the trees and for food for the wild animals.

Key words: Agroforestry; dominance; extraction; index of value of importance; non forest wood product; natural regeneration; swa oil.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/ceiba.v50i1.189