Utilization of natural resources by the human communities of the Guamá Ecotouristic Park, Belém, Pará

This work shows data about the use of natural resources by the human population located in (n=1) and around (n=6) the Guamá Ecotouristic Park (GEP), in order to evaluate the impact on the local fauna and flora in view of the project for constructing a road through the park. The methodology utilized in this community study was the application of two different types of questionnaires. One was directed to key persons such as old residents, presidents of associations, health agents, etc., and the other was randomly applied to local adults. We attempted to approach at least 50 percent of the families in the small villages (< 10 families) and 10-15 percent in the larger communities (> 11 families). In all cases, there was flora and fauna extractivism, especially for subsistence. The most hunted species were the Agouti paca, Dasyprocta agouti, Nasua nasua, Euphractus sexcintus and Hidrochaeris hidrochaeris. All the communities studied complement their family income by hunting wildlife on order. Fruit trees such as Euterpe oleracea Mart., Musa spp and the Theobroma cacao were found in 100 percent of the communities (n=7). Medicinal plants are cultivated and used routinely. Timber species such Inga edulis,Virola surinamensis (Rol.) Warb e Simaruba amara (Aubl.) are used for charcoal production, house building and transportation means. We discuss the results relating to construction of the road, and make recommendations for reducing the impact on the fauna, the flora and the traditional livelihood of the communities.