Institution: | aSchool of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA bCenter for Latin American Studies, Tropical Conservation and Development Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA cCentro de Pesquisa Agroflorestal do Acre (Embrapa Acre), BR-364, Km 14, Rio Branco, Acre 69901-108, Brazil |
Abstract: | Brazil nut is widely recognized as the cornerstone of the Amazonian extractive economy. Tight linkages between Brazil nut production, regional income, and intact mature forests have thrust this species into focus as a key component of Amazonian conservation and income generation strategies. Nonetheless, a comprehensive synthesis of factors explaining Brazil nut fruit production variation is lacking. We aimed to address this knowledge gap, asking: (1) What are the rates and annual variation of Bertholletia excelsa fruit production at individual and population levels? (2) What factors explain B. excelsa production variation, focusing on spatial and temporal variables, diameter at breast height (dbh), crown attributes, liana loads, and soil attributes? and (3) Does liana cutting affect fruit production? |