Management and conservation of natural populations in Atlantic rain forest: The case study of palm heart (Euterpe edulis Martius)

Euterpe edulis (Martius) is a single-stemmed, abundant Neotropical palm of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlantica). The species produces the he art of palm, locally called palmito, which is an important source of income For forest owners. Because of its high market value, its short-term demand s of the forest environment, and its important interactions with animal spe cies, this palm is suitable for sustainable management and conservation pur poses. In this paper, we present the results from a 15-year investigation o f this species, synthesizing results on its demography, seed dispersion, re productive biology, genetics, and economics. We have linked these results i n a proposal for the species' sustainable management and conservation.