The objective of this study was to estimate the richness and the diversity of fruit tree species cultivated in Boa Vista's home gardens, as well as to determine what species the local urban population prefers. Two neighborhoods that originated during the city's expansion in 1982 were sampled: (1) BEst - Bairro dos Estados (North Zone) and (2) BAsa - Bairro Asa Branca (West Zone). Seven hundred and twenty-two home gardens were surveyed in BEst (March 6 to 22, 2004), and 339 in BAsa (April 7 to July 1, 2004). Thirty-six species (19 botanical families) were observed in BEst, and 37 (20 families) in BAsa, totaling 43 species (20 families). Thirty species (69.8%) in 19 families (95%) occurred in both neighborhoods, suggesting common fruit preferences. The three largest indices of preference value (IVP) were coconut (Cocos nucifera L. - BEst: 19.4% and BAsa: 20.5%), mango (Mangifera indica L. - BEst: 14.9% and BAsa: 22.5%) and rose-apple (Syzygium malaccence (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry - BEst: 10.5% and BAsa: 10.1%). All of them are exotic (originating in Southeast Asia) and together had IVPs of 44.9% (BEst) and 53.0% (BAsa). These results suggest that the cultivation of fruit trees in the home gardens of Boa Vista shows a pattern that concentrates choices in a few non-Amazonian species that are traditionally preferred because of their successful fruit production.
Amazonia; Fruits; Home garden; Diversity
