Sphagnum (velvet) wild harvesting and trade: characteristics, social-economic and environmental implications, and perspectives

Abstract

Aiming to contribute to the better understanding of the Sphagnum wild harvesting in Brazil, the results from an ethnobotany survey on a harvesting community at the Guaratuba Mun. (Paraná, State, Southern Brazil) are presented. Specifically, the objective was to characterize the community social-economic aspects as well as its dependence on the studied resource. The production-consumption system or value chain of this harvesting activity was also detailed, including the historic evo­lution of the harvesting and trade process and the evaluation of the perspectives of its social-economic and environmental sustainability. Five species were registered: S. capillifolium (Ehrh.) Hedw., S. cuspidatum Ehrh. ex Hoffm., S. erythrocalyx Hampe, S. perichaetiale Hampe e S. recurvum P. Beauv. All these are native species that grow spontaneously on that region and are intensively harvested by the local community. The social-economic and environmental implications as well as the perspectives of this kind of wild harvesting are discussed.