The role of forests in the livelihoods of the families of the Mosaic of conservation units of Lake of Tucuruí, state of Pará, Brazil

Abstract

This research aims to characterize the livelihoods and identify the uses of the forest for food, health, construction and fuel of families living in the Tucuruí Lake Conservation Units Mosaic, state of Pará. producer typology, defined from data collection by secondary sources, and application of a questionnaire containing open questions, aided by interview script and photographic record. For sampling, the method named snowball was used. Twelve interviews were conducted, 3 for fisherman, farmer, fisherman / farmer and non-agricultural income types. It was found that the livelihood types found are the main ones within the Lake region. Each type has its own peculiarity, but all somehow make use of forest resources. For food, the types that most hunt are non-agricultural income, fisherman and fisherman / farmer, the non-agricultural income and farmer types are the ones that collect the most fruits. The non-agricultural income type proved to be the type that most collects forest species for medicinal use. In the use of wood for fuel and construction the types fisherman / farmer, farmer and fisherman stand out, while for sale of wood stand out the fisherman / farmer and non-agricultural income. In general, the forest is of great importance for all types of rural families, as it contributes to the generation of income, as well as to the productive systems, food and health care, always in the sense of guaranteeing a financial economy and quality of life.