ABSTRACT
Exploration of virola (Virola surinamensis (Rol.) Warb. occurs since decade of 60 due to its importance for industry. Studies were developed in the amazon estuary embracing Macapá (AP), Gurupá (PA) and Marajó Islands (areas of Melgaço and Breves - PA). Questionnaires (n=65) were applied to obtain data of costs and productivity, besides interviews. Inventory surveys were used to obtain quantitative data of extraction process. Areas of older process of exploration (Breves, Gurupá and Melgaço) presented decrease in volume of wood extraction after 10 years, while there was increase in the areas of more recent exploration (Anajás). Swamp forest presented lower commercial volume/ha (7m3/ha and 56,8 m3/ha) than areas of flood plain forest (144,3 m3/ha). Number of trees/ha went higher in swamp forest (265 trees/ha) than in flood plain (10-17/ha). The exploration in flood plain was extensive, occupying great areas and in the swamp forest was intensive. Manual exploration was predominant, with low revenue (10 logs/day) in relation to the mechanical exploration (18 logs/day). Familiar income from manual extraction was US$ 1000/year, with production of 55 m3/man.
Key words
virola; Virola surinamensis; extrativism; amazon estuary
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