Effects of different legislation on the conservation status of Amburana cearensis in northwestern Argentina

NATALIA POLITI; LUIS RIVERA; PATRICIA PUECHAGUT; LEONIDAS LIZÁRRAGA; RAMIRO CARRIZO; GUILLERMO DEFOSSÉ

Bonito

Congreso; 49 th Annual Meeting Bonito - MS, Brasil; 2012

Association of Tropical Biology and Conservation

Amburana cearensis is an appreciated timber species, it is categorized as endangered on the IUCN red list, and it is distributed throughout the seasonal dry tropical forests of Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Perú, and Argentina. In Argentina, A. cearensis is restricted to the provinces of Salta ?where legislation establishes the minimum cutting diameter at 60 cm, and Jujuy ?where logging is banned since 1972. Up to the present, there has been no effort to determine the effects of legislation on species conservation status on both provinces. We determined the species conservation status in both provinces by estimating species density using distance sampling methodology at 13 sites, and measuring DBH of each individual encountered. Considering data of both provinces together, we found a density of 1.12 individuals ha-1. The density in Salta did not significantly differ from that found in Jujuy (i.e., 5.15 [95% Confidence Interval: 3.14; 8.45]; 3.67 [95% CI: 2.59; 5.17]), although in Salta most individuals (84%) were encountered in one of the sites. On the other hand, DBH was significantly lower in Salta than in Jujuy (23±12 vs. 41±18 cm; p<0.05). Differences observed in the characteristics of the species populations between provinces might be attributed to the application of different legislation. This is the first study that attempts to provide information to determine A. cearensis conservation status in Argentina. However, a global assessment of the species status is urgently needed. In the meantime, it seems convenient to halt logging in Salta, until information is gathered on the species biology and a subsequent sustainable management plan developed.