Caracterización de los Poductos Forestales no Maderables del Bosque Seco Tropical Asociado a las Comunidades del Caribe Colombiano

Abstract

Presently, Tropical dry forest is one of the most threatened ecosystems due to anthropogenic processes such as mining, urban, agricultural and livestock enlargement. This type of ecosystem is of great economic and social importance in generating environmental goods and services, such as Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). Based on focal samplings, surveys and workshops, usage and spotlighting of plant species was determined. 149 species were found (5 exotics, 2 naturalized,142 native) and grouped in 142 genera and 61 families. Being Fabaceae the richest family and Bignonia, Handroanthus, Vachellia, Caesalpinia, Senna Melicoccus the most diverse genera. According to their use class the largest number of species was medicinal, followed by firewood and food; the most representative habitat was arboreal. Medicinal species are mainly used as painkillers (headache, muscle ache or dental ache), or to treat inflammation, wounds / cuts, burns and respiratory system diseases. Leaves, branches and fruits are the most used parts of plants. This study showed a high correlation between the number of reported species and age of interviewed people. Finally, a prioritization of 15 species was done, to demonstrate its potential in future reforestation programs and implementation inside production chains, especially of species used "against different diseases"; likewise the implementation of fodder banks and actions to avoid the use of endangered species is recommended.