Brazil nut population structure in thee sites in the Acre river valley, Brazil.

In the Amazonian state of Acre, Brazil, Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K.) have been commercially collected for almost a century by traditional populations inhabiting the forests of the Acre River Valley. Brazil nut fruits fall to the ground in December through February when extractivists work almost exclusively in the collection and opening of these fruits to release the commercially valuable seeds or nuts. Based on income generated and labor utilized, this is the most important non-timber forest product activity in the state. Nonetheless, little is known about collection impacts on population structure. This study evaluated Brazil nut population structure in three traditional rubber tapper estates (sites) located in the municipalities of Xapuri and Brasiléia where the species occurs naturally: Filipinas, Cachoeira, and São Francisco Figueiredo.