PRODUCTIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF A VEGETABLE IVORY PALM (PHYTELEPHAS-AEQUATORIALIS, ARECACEAE) UNDER 3 MANAGEMENT REGIMES IN NORTHWESTERNECUADOR

This study examines the predictivity, sustainability, and management o f tagua nuts from the palm Phytelephas aequatorialis under three manag ement regimes in northwestern Ecuador. Tagua nuts are used internation ally as an ivory substitute and the palm fronds are used locally as ro of thatch. Plots were established in control site nad in three local m anagement regimes: pure tagua groves; stands with tagua and cacao in a n agroforestry system; and tagua groves where the undergrowth is clear ed and old fronds removed. Data were collected for one year and local extractors were interviewed about their tagua management. Palm demogra phy indicates heavy management with few subadult individuals and many more adult females than males. Productivity analyses do not demonstrat e the influence of any ne environmental variable on leaf or infructesc ence productivity. The pure tagua grove is the management regime most conducive to tagua sustainability. The sustainability results are unde rscored by the extractive methodology, where local extractors maximize tagua collected while minimizing collection time. These results are i ncorporated into management recommendations to foster tagua extraction while ensuring its sustainability and future use.