This dissertation research proposal aims to support Ms. Roxaneh S. Khorsand working under PI Dr. Suzanne Koptur to conduct research in Brazil on the reproductive biology of a particular non-timber forest product in Roraima, Brazil, namely the dioecious palm, Mauritia flexuosaa, also known as "buriti". Ms. Rozaneh will collaborate with two mentors in Brazil and share their laboratory facilities. They are: (a) Dr. Reinaldo Barbosa, a primary researcher at the National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA); and (b) Dr. Silvana Buzato, an ecology professor and pollination specialist at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Graduate student Khorsand will also compare the palm's pollination and fruit set among undisturbed habitats and habitats fragmented by soy plantations.
The ultimate goals of the research are to: 1) elucidate the pollination biology of this species; 2) quantify pollinator diversity in each habitat; and 3) determine if pollinators and fruit set differ across habitats, and if they do, identify the ecological and physiological causes of these differences. Furthermore, the study will examine the consequences of anthropogenic disturbance for the reproductive success of the species, including an anthropological component to gain a better understanding of the cultural and economic importance of the palm.
The palm, Mauritia flexuosa, or buriti in Brazil, was described by the German explorer and naturalist, Alexander von Humboldt as the "tree of life". This palm truly is a tree of life for humans and wildlife in the Amazon. Endangered parrrot species nest in its trunks; animals such as peccaries, tapirs, monkeys, and fish eat its fruit; and its massive, fallen leaves enrich the forest floor with nutrients and organic matter. This palm also plays a pivotal role in the economy and culture of the Amazon; people eat the fruit in the form of juice, ice cream, and sweets; and indigenous communities use the thatch to construct their homes, fishing nets, and practical crafts such as hammocks and baskets. The international pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries also have begun investing in this fruit. Buriti contains the highest, known levels of beta carotene of any food source on the planet. It is used to treat vitamin-A deficiency in the developing world, and is a common ingredient in skin-care products. To harvest this fruits of this palm sustainably, we must first understand its flowering and fruiting patterns. This NSF-funded project constituted the dissertation research of the co-PI, and investigated the reproductive ecology of M. flexuosa in Roraima state, northern Brazilian Amazonia. We studied six populations of M. flexuosa, representing three distinct habitats: preserved forest, preserved savanna, and anthropogenically-disturbed savanna. Our research addressed fundamental questions regarding this palm's reproductive ecology: 1) What pollinates M. flexuosa?; 2) Does fruit production differ among habitats?; and 3) What physiological and ecological factors cause variation in fruiting? This study also explored the cultural and economic importance of buriti in Roraima. Currently, the co-PI is in the process of data-analysis, and writing the dissertation. Preliminary conclusions include: 1) Contrary to previous claims of insect-pollination, M. flexuosa is wind-pollinated; 2) This palm flowers during the transition from wet to dry season, and fruit maturation occurs primarily during the wet season; 3) No significant differences were found in the quantity of flowering between habitats; 4) Males and females flower synchronously; and 5) Males produce more flowers than females per inflorescence. This project benefits the scientific community in several ways. First, this study provides vital data on the pollination and reproductive patterns of M. flexuosa. Despite this species’ important economic and ecological role, data on its reproductive biology are lacking. Our work elucidates how habitat disturbance affects this species’ reproductive success, and the ecological players involved in its reproductive cycle. Secondly, conducting research in an under-studied region of the Amazon raises awareness of its unique biodiversity and promotes future collaborative efforts between American and Brazilian scientists. This research also has significant implications for society. First, buriti has significant potential as an agroforestry crop in the Amazon. Our data on the pollination system and reproductive patterns of this species will help agroforestry programs develop sustainable harvesting regimes. To prevent destructive harvesting while meeting the market demand for buriti, we must understand the pollination, timing of reproductive events, and quantity of fruit produced in a given habitat. Second, this project has engaged local students and community members in scientific research and conservation. During fieldwork, the co-PI I mentored a Brazilian undergraduate woman, and conducted ecology outreach with over 500 rural and urban grade school students. She also employed indigenous (Macuxi) field assistants, providing them with a fair income, involving them directly in conservation of the ecological reserve, and teaching them botanical and research skills they will use in future field employment opportunities. Engaging local people in research and conservation provides a practical alternative to deforestation.
