The Use of Indices and Indicators for the Conservation of Palms in the Amazon, Considering Global Climate Change

To identify which species within a group of palm species are most at risk of survival, it is necessary to analyse numerous variables, which must be assessed together. For this, we can use indices and indicators. The objective of this study was to develop indicators and indices to assess the risk of reduction of natural areas (RAI) suitable for the following species: Euterpe oleracea Mart.; Euterpe precatoria Mart.; Astrocaryum aculeatum Mart.; and Astrocaryum acaule Mart. The RAI was composed of four variables (indices or indicators): climate impact indicator (CII), exposure index (EI), vulnerability index (VI), and demand indicator (DI). Applying these indices to these palms, it was found that the palm with the highest risk of area reduction (RAI) was A. aculeatum, while E. oleracea had the lowest risk value. The species A. acaule and E. precatoria had intermediate values. The high risk associated with A. aculeatum is mainly due to the greater reduction of favourable areas in future scenarios, as well as the dormancy of its seeds and the low demand for cultivation. The use of this index proved to be quite reliable, easy to understand and apply.