Caatinga wood for production of Small Wooden Objects (SWO)

Abstract

This research aims to identify the highlights-attributes of wood from the Caatinga biome in the perception of producers in the Small Wood Objects (SWO) market segment as a premise for market studies based on exploratory and mixed analysis - qualitative and quantitative - with semi-structured interviews and the use of the IRAMUTEQ Software. In order to achieve this objective, woody samples from the wood of nine species from the Caatinga, in the central-west region of Piauí: Pityrocarpa cf. moniliformis, Aspidosperma cf. multiflorum, Handroanthus cf. impetiginosus, Terminalia fagifolia Mart., Pterodon cf. abruptus, Diptychandra aurantiaca Tul., Combretum glaucocarpum Mart., Swartzia psilomena Harms. and Machaerium cf. acutifolium. Thus, it was observed that the 9 species presented have peculiarities in relation to the heartwood, with the characteristic “color” being the highlight attribute, an important information for the market. From the general and individual analyzes of these species, it was possible to group them according to their subjective peculiarities. As a result, a more effective participation of lesser-known species and the generation of increased demand from greater acceptance in the market can enable the offer in association or replacement with traditional use of those woods. Even though the use of IRAMUTEQ in the scientific forestry area is incipient, it proved to be coherent for use in qualitative research and valorization of wood species. It is concluded that the use of wood species from the Caatinga in question for objects with higher added value is an alternative for the market in addition to the current use (firewood and charcoal).

Keywords:
Wood technology; Wood market; IRAMUTEQ