Natural regeneration of bigleaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) in unlogged and selectively logged forests and Kayapo forest tree knowledge and taxonomy in southern Para, Brazil

Issues related to the sustainability of resource extraction were examined in the Kayapo Indigenous Area of southeast Para, Brazil, including selective logging of mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) and the nature of Kayapo indigenous knowledge of the forest tree flora. Results of regeneration surveys in 28 plots around 14 trees in unlogged forest and 14 stumps in logged forest indicated that logging created conditions favourable to the survival and growth of mahogany offspring, but diminished the reproductive potential of the remaining population. During forest interviews on the identity and utility of 331 pre-identified trees (82 species), Kayapo informants named over 80 scientific species from 41 botanical families. The Kayapo had extensive knowledge of trees and their uses, especially among older individuals, and classified trees in a way that was similar to that used by other indigenous cultures. The Kayapo also grouped many trees into the same categories as Western science.