Adopt a Dipteryx Plan

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Adopt a DipteryxTreeProyecto Shihuahuaco

August 2002Donald J Brightsmith

Introduction

TheDipteryx micrantha is a vital part of the forest in the lowland forests of the westernAmazon Basin.

The tree grows extremely large **diam and height** and is an extremely importantsource of food and homes for many animals. The seeds when young are eaten by macawsand when ripe are an extremely important food source for bats. Of equal ecologicalimportance is the propensity of this tree to form cavities. The cavities in these trees areoften deep and large making them ideal nesting places for a host of mammals, insects andbirds that are dependant on cavities for their survival. In Peru the Scarlet Macaw andRed-and-green Macaw are both frequently found in these holes.

Biology of Dipteryx micrantha

1. Dipteryx micrantha is an emergent tree native to the forests of the WesternAmazon Basin of Peru, Columbia, Venezuela and Brazil (Chudnoff 1984).

2. It gets very large with individuals of greater than 1.5 m diameter and 55 m tallrecorded (DB unpublished data).

3. Dipteryx is a very slow growing tree and has one of the densest woods of any inthe forests of the Amazon Basin (Chudnoff 1984).

4. Dipteryx trees can live for centuries, one individual of 120 cm in diameter hasbeen dated as being over 1,400 years old (Chambers et al 1998)

5. This species has very stringent regeneration requirements, needing a readilyabundant water supply, but it does not tolerate much flooding. (Monica RomoACCA, personal communication).

Ecological importance of Dipteryx micrantha

The fruits provide a vital food for bats at a time when few other species arefruiting

The young fruits provide food for large macaws


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D. micrantha forms the largest number of high quality cavities of any species inthe forest. These cavities last for decades and are used by a wide variety ofspecies including.

o Scarlet Macawso Red and green Macawso

Parrots

o Caracaraso Many other birds, mammals and insects

The majority of Scarlet and Red-and-green Macaw nests in the western Amazonhave been found inDipteryx micrantha. Within the native community of Infiernoall active nests located by researchers have been in these trees. Because thecavities last for so long and are frequently reused by the macaws,Dipteryxmicrantha nest cavities are probably the single most important nesting resourcefor these macaws in the Peruvian Amazon.

Threats toDipteryx Trees Dipteryx trees are cut and used to make charcoal. This charcoal is then sold in

local markets for less than $0.15 per kilo (about $0.06 per pound). Landownersoften sell their trees to loggers that then go and cut the tree and burn it in situ,then extract the charcoal. The landowner usually receives only about 100Peruvian soles or $30 US Dollars per tree.

Dipteryx trees are also used for flooring. For this the trees are sold to a companythat removes the tree and takes it to a sawmill for processing. In this case thelandowner receives $300 - $450 for the tree. The

The threats toDipteryx trees are increasing in the Peruvian Amazon in generaland Madre de Dios in particular.

o In the past 6 months the Peruvian government has been exploring ways toencourage the exploitation ofDipteryx for charcoal.

o In the past 4 months large logging companies have begun approachinglocal land owners and land-holding communities and offering to purchasetheirDipteryx trees in order to use them to make flooring.

For these reasons there is an urgent need to start the education and protectioncampaign now.

Project Goals Encourage local landowners to conserveDipteryx trees and the natural forests on

their lands

Provide funding for local landowners that want to develop economic alternativesthat help them reduce or eliminate their need to deforest their lands

Project Location The project is beginning in the Native Community of Infierno along the lower

Tambopata River in the Department of Madre de Dios, Peru.


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This is a pilot project that will hopefully be spread throughout the Department ofMadre de Dios.

Selection of trees to include1. The Board of Directors of the Native Community of Infierno will nominate the

trees to be protected. These trees can either be on the farms of the members of thecommunity or in the communitys communal lands.

2. Trees to be enrolled in the project can be nominated by either individual membersof the Community of Infierno or by the Junta Directiva (Board of Directors) of thecommunity itself.

3. The community members nominating the tree will be responsible for showing thetree to the project staff.

4. Only large individualDipteryx trees at least 1 m in diameter and in areas that stillretain natural forest cover will be enrolled in the project.

Conditions of protection1. The community and or the comuneros that enroll trees on their farms will agree

not to cut the tree or clear the land within a 100 m radius of the tree.2. Other economic activities will be allowed within the 100 m radius of the tree

including.a. Harvesting Brazil Nutsb. Harvesting crisneja palm leavesc. Harvesting traditional non-timber forest products including medicinal

plants, dyes, and supplies for handicrafts (**Raul make a list of these)d. Other activities that do no not greatly alter the forest structure or

composition.

Registering the trees in the projectThe exact details of the method of registering the project trees will be determined jointlyby the members of the Community of Infierno and the project staff.

The project staff suggests that a scenario similar to that proposed here.1. The community member nominating the tree will show it to the staff of the

project.2. The project staff will measure or estimate the tree diameter and height, record the

GPS coordinates and take photographs of the tree.3. The GPS coordinates will be used to confirm exactly where the tree is and

determine if it is within the farm of an individual or within the communal lands.4. A master map will be created showing the locations of all trees currently enrolled

in the project. At least 2 such maps will be maintained: one for the NativeCommunity of Infierno and one for the project staff.

5. The project staff will place a metal plaque on the tree bearing the name of theproject, the name of the donor, and a reminder that the tree and surroundingvegetation are to be protected.


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6. For each tree a page will be made that includes the following informationa. A written agreement that the tree is to be protected forever.b. The approximate location of the tree based on landmarks known by the

community membersc. The exact GPS location of the treed.

The diameter and height of the treee. The best 1 or 2 photos of the tree

7. This document will be signed by the following peoplea. The president of the communityb. The community member on whose the farm the tree is located (when

appropriate)c. A member of the project staff

8. For each tree 5 original copies of this document will be made. These 5 copies willbe distributed in the following way.

a. Included in las Actas Oficiales de la Comunidadb. Stored in the offices of ACCA in Puerto Maldonadoc.

Stored by the project staff in Durham NC USAd. Stored by Rainforest Expedtions in their Lima office

e. Given to the donorMonitoring

1. Each year the project staff will check to make sure that each tree remains standingand that the area around it remains protected according to the agreement.

2. If any of the trees do not remain standing the Junta Directiva of the communitywill be informed and the appropriate actions taken.

EnforcementThe mechanism for enforcement of the agreement will be determined by the members ofthe Community of Infierno with the help of the project staff. In order for this project towork, the community needs to be able to guarantee that in the case where one of theprotected trees is cut, or the area around it cleared, the community will repay the entiresum given both to the community and to the owner of the farm. One possibility would beto establish a fund of approximately $500 using money from the first few trees enrolledin the project. This fund would ensure that cash is available to repay the project if the treeis felled.

If a tree enrolled in the project is felled the donor will be contacted immediately and thedonor would be entitled to a full refund (or would have the option to have this money put

towards the adoption of a differentDipteryx tree).

The mechanisms by which the community collects the money from the comunero thatcuts the tree and the disciplinary actions that result from this are entirely up to themembers of the community. The community needs to decide if the community membershould be charged an additional fine of $25 - $100 for felling a tree enrolled in theproject. One workable plan would be to withhold 100% of the community members


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share of the profits from the Posada Amazonas project to this debt and the fine are paidoff.

Benefits and their distribution

The goal of the project is to have community members protectDipteryx trees. Inexchange the project agrees to fund self improvement projects that will help provide

community members with alternative income sources that will reduce the long term needto harvestDipteryx and clear forests. The members of the community can present anyproject that fulfills this goal.

Some possibilities are the following.1. Educational Scholarships. Comuneros interested in studying English, Mechanica

etc. in Maldonado or Lima can receive money for enrollment, housing (if needed),food and possibly a small stipend. The exact nature of each scholarship will bedetermined through negotiations between the project staff and the comunero

nominating the trees for protection.2. Projectos de mejoramiento agricultural. Projects that help members of the

community (or the community as a whole) develop new agricultural products orimprove existing agricultural practices will be encouraged. The details of eachproject will be negotiated with the member(s) of the community that nominate thetrees for protection. The following list contains a few examples of the type ofproject that would fit these criteria. Additional projects can also be proposed aslong as they are in keeping with the overall ideals of the program.

a. Development of pescegranjas. Money can be used to hire consultants, buyequipment, supplies and stock for 1 or more members of the communitythat would like to start a small scale fish farm.

b. Purchase of small scale farming equipment. Including any equipment thatwill increase farming efficiency and increase income without requiringclearing additional large areas of land. Examples include spreaders,cavadoras, fumigators, roto-tiller etc.

c. The project will not fund projects that provide short-term or one-time onlybenefits. For example the project will not purchase fertilizers, pesticides orherbicides for use on crops.

3. Community based projects. The community as a whole will be able to proposeprojects that will help improve life in the community in general. Specificexamples include

a. Purchase supplies for the grade school and high school in the communityb. Construct and stock a library for the community and their schoolc. Construct additional classroom or laboratory space for the school

Details of fund acceptance and distribution

1. To adopt a tree each potential donor will be asked for a total of $200.2. This money will be donated to Asociacin para la Conservacin de la Cuenca

Amaznica so that the donation is tax deductible.3. The $200 will be administered in the following way


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a. For trees nominated and protected by individual members of thecommunity:

i. $50 will be used to benefit community level projects. The first$500 in cash will be placed in an emergency fund so that theproject can be repaid in the event that trees enrolled in the project

are cut.ii. Once the emergency fund is established the rest of the money willbe placed in a fund and used to support community level projects.

iii. $125 per tree will be used to fund the projects of the individualmembers of the community.

iv. $25 will be placed in a fund and used to cover the costs ofadministering the project, studyingDipteryx and conducting aneducational campaign in the Community of Infierno and otherareas of Madre de Dios. These funds will be used to hire people todo annual checks on the trees that are enrolled in the project, makeand hang the plaques for the trees, create project education posters,

advertise the project to potential donors, etc. Some of the fundsmay also be used to fund inventories and further studies onDipteryx trees in the area and cover expenses incurred during theeducational campaign. Funds will not be used to provide salary forany member of Rainforest Expeditions, the Tambopata MacawProject, or ACCA. If the project becomes sufficiently large thatadministrating it becomes burdensome to the current staff, theproject will need to hire a part-time or full time staff member.

b. For trees located on the communal lands that are nominated and protectedby the community as a whole:

i. $175 will go to the fund used to support community level projectsii. $25 per tree will go to the administrative fund

Organizations involved and their respective roles The project staff for the Adopt a Dipteryx project will be made up of the

following people.o The members of the Tambopata Macaw Project

Dr. Donald Brightsmith, Duke University and Director ofInvestigations for Rainforest Expeditions

The Field Leader for Posada Amazonas Project Assistants working at Posada Amazonas

o Members of the Puerto Maldonado office of the Asociacin para laConservacin de la Cuenca Amaznica (the association for theconservation of the Amazon Basin or ACCA)

Dr. Monica Romo Other office staff

o The Rainforest Expeditions Office of Native Community Affairs Raul Alvarez Other office staff


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Roles of participating organizations

Rainforest Expeditions Office of Native Community Affairs

o Inform and educate the members of the community about the Adopt aDipteryx Project

This will be done using the offices pre-established network ofcommunications that is designed to reach every member of thecommunity through printed material (the newsletter called thePaucar) and the two members of the community that are workingfull time as spokesmen for the office.

o Work directly with the Control Committee and the other leaders of theNative Community of Infierno to finalize the details of the Conditions ofProtection, Registering Trees, Enforcement, and Distribution of ProjectBenefits sections of the Adopt aDipteryx Project

o Review and provide final approval of activities to be funded using projectmoneys

o Determine the details of when and how money is distributed to fundapproved activitieso Distribute project fundso Produce quarterly reports on how the project funds were distributed. These

reports should be presented to ACCA with copies made available to theControl Committee of the Native Community of Infierno, and theTambopata Macaw Project.

o Look for matching funds that can be used to increase the scope andeffectiveness of the Adopt aDipteryx Project

o Help promote the project by placing information on the RainforestExpeditions web site

Control Committee of the Native Community of Infierno

o Protect in perpetuity theDipteryx micrantha trees enrolled in the projecto Repay the project staff in the event that a tree enrolled in the project or the

vegetation surrounding it is cuto Nominate trees for protection and activities to be funded by the Adopt a

Dipteryx project.o Show the members of the project staff the trees to be protectedo Give permission to the project staff to check on the status of the trees and

the surrounding vegetation every year to verify compliance with the goalsof the project.

Tambopata Macaw Project

o Aid in fundraising for the Adopt aDipteryx Project through writtenarticles, talks and web pages

o Provide technical support and expertise for the projecto Visit each tree nominated by the project and determine if it is suitable for

inclusion in the project.o Measure, mark, photograph and GPS the trees to be enrolled in the project.


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o Confirm that the trees are located within the lands of the NativeCommunity of Infierno and in whose farm them are located

o Maintain the official maps showing the locations of all trees enrolled inthe project

o Conduct annual rechecks of the enrolled trees to confirm that they are stillstanding and that the surrounding vegetation is still intact

o Help in the review of activities to be funded using project moneyRainforest Expeditions Office of Native Community Affairs

o Inform and educate the members of the community about the Adopt aDipteryx Project

This will be done using the offices pre-established network ofcommunications that is designed to reach every member of thecommunity through printed material (the newsletter called thePaucar) and the two members of the community that are workingfull time as spokesmen for the office.

oWork directly with the Control Committee and the other leaders of theNative Community of Infierno to finalize the details of the Conditions ofProtection, Registering Trees, Enforcement, and Distribution of ProjectBenefits sections of the Adopt aDipteryx Project

o Review and provide final approval of activities to be funded using projectmoneys

o Determine the details of when and how money is distributed to fundapproved activities

o Distribute project fundso Produce annual reports on how the project funds were distributed. These

reports should be presented to ACCA with copies made available to the

Control Committee of the Native Community of Infierno, and theTambopata Macaw Project.o Look for matching funds that can be used to increase the scope and

effectiveness of the Adopt aDipteryx Projecto Help promote the project by placing information on the Rainforest

Expeditions web site

Asociacin para la Conservacin de la Cuenca Amaznica (ACCA)

o Lead the fundraising campaign for the Adopt aDipteryx Projecto Provide foreign donors (from the US and Europe) the ability to make tax

deductible donations to the projecto

Provide a mechanism to channel funds from foreign donors to the RFEOffice of Native Community Affairso Provide technical support and expertise for the projecto Make quarterly financial reports available to donors if they are requested

Literature Cited


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Chambers, J. Q., N. Higuchi, and J. P. Schimel. 1998. Ancient trees in Amazonia. Nature391:135-136.

Documents

Adopt a Dipteryx Plan