Managing Amazonian palms for community use: A case of aguaje palm (Mauritia flexuosa) in Peru

Amazonian palms are prime candidates for sustainable management of non-timber forest products and yet useful species are often harvested destructively. This paper examines a promising management initiative for one of the most useful Amazonian palms – Mauritia flexuosa – in a rural community of northeastern Peru. Based on data from household surveys (n = 57), filmed in-depth interviews, focus groups and participant observation, we identify the factors that influence: (1) the adoption of a locally developed climbing device for wild-harvesting of aguaje palm fruit; (2) the continued practice by some households of palm felling for harvesting fruit; and, (3) investment by households in planting and cultivation of aguaje palm. Our findings identify key conditions for palm management and point to the particular importance of the adoption of palm-climbing devices, not only for reducing wild palm felling but also for stimulating broader community-level conservation as well as efforts to cultivate the palm.