Distribuição do gênero Attalea Kunth no Maranhão: Histórico, Modelagem e Status de conservação

Abstract

This study aims to achieve the following objectives: I) present data on the species of the genus Attalea, with emphasis on babassu, on the historical roots of its use, potential and conservation aspects linked to the formation of the identity of women babassu coconut breakers in Maranhão; II) to highlight the environmental changes that Maranhão's ecosystems have undergone in just over three decades and to associate the consequences of these changes with the activities carried out by the Interstate Movement of Babassu Coconut Breakers; III) to draw up a map of the potential distribution of Attalea speciosa populations; IV) to evaluate the potential distribution in terms of priority areas for the conservation of biodiversity in Brazil and the Maranhão Conservation Units. In order to achieve objectives I and II, a literature review was carried out using the SciELO - Brazil, Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science databases, and land use and land cover data was used to draw up the maps. As a result, it was possible to see that in 1984 Maranhão had a considerable area of native vegetation, which has changed over the years due to the increase in agricultural activities and the reduction in babassu groves. The actions of women in Maranhão were fundamental in increasing the monitoring and enforcement of laws protecting babassu and consolidating the coconut breakers' movement. To achieve objectives III and IV, the Maximum Entropy algorithm was used to estimate potential distribution, which produced projections based on 92 records of A. speciosa. The data obtained showed a wide potential distribution of the species throughout practically the entire state of Maranhão and it was possible to identify suitable areas that have not yet been surveyed. When superimposed on the Priority Areas for Conservation, it was noted that in the Amazon, Cerrado and Caatinga the occurrence and areas with suitability for the species coincide with the PCAs, in categories ranging from very high to extremely high, as well as suitable areas in state Conservation Units. The analysis of the areas with the highest suitability, considered to be priorities for conservation, reinforced the importance of maintaining the state Conservation Units that have already been established. This data highlights the gaps in information on the species and may indicate areas for further sampling, forming a scientific framework for the process of drawing up management plans for Maranhão's conservation units.