XVI International Botanical Congess

Subject of this study is research to obtain an improved appraisal of the NTFPP resource availability in Yasuní National Park, Ecuadorian Amazonia, in collaboration with Huaorani indigenous. The approach is of ethnobotanical and forest ecological nature, and is directed to obtain improved quantitative estimates of potential supply of NTFPP. Plot sampling (50 x 20 m = 0.1 ha) is restricted to three broad forest types: well drained upland forest (10 plots), well drained flood plain forest (8 plots) and swamp forests dominated by Mauritia flexuosa (i.e. with aerial cover exceeding 40%, 7 plots). We have collected c. 4500 voucher specimen, the majority of them with different uses by the Huaorani indigenous. This research provide insight concerning the interrelationship between potential supply and NTFPP commercialization in Ecuadorian Amazonia, which can be used at local, regional or national development initiatives.