Harvesting free-standing fig trees for timber in Bolivia: potential implications for forest management

The potential implications of harvesting fig (Ficus) trees for timber in th e tropical forests of eastern Bolivia was assessed through density estimate s of mature fig tree species and fig tree regeneration, together with the d ensity and phenology of tree species that provide important alternative foo d for frugivorous wildlife. Terrestrial ('free-standing') and hemi-epiphyti c ('strangler') tig tree densities varied among four forests sampled (galle ry, dry, sub-humid, and floodplain forests) from 0-3.3 to 1.6-67 trees/ha, respectively However, only the sub-humid forest had significant densities o f well-formed free-standing figs suitable for harvesting, out of which only 26% of the total density of mature free-standing figs were of commercial g rade quality. Because of the scarcity of well-formed fig trees, the elimina tion of Fig tree populations from these forests by overharvesting is unlike ly. However, the elimination of well-formed individuals of species by over- harvesting is possible. Fig seedling and sapling density was low in all for est types, but was highest in areas with increased light and soil disturban ce. Thus, while harvesting may reduce the density of mature fig trees avail able for wildlife, it may also create improved conditions for regeneration. Also, wildlife use of figs was not measured here, figs appear to play an i mportant role in sustaining wildlife in these forests because of the scarci ty of other tree species with fleshy fruits in all forest types at the end of the rainy season (April-May). While this study suggests that harvesting rates are not high enough to seriously jeopardize food availability for wil dlife, it will be important to more closely define permissible harvesting l evels for fig tree species that do not significantly impact frugivorous wil dlife species. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.