Informe Final: Especies Forestales No Maderables del Bosque Seco Tropical en el Caribe Colombiano

However, the forests have gained renewed interest as sources of various non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and generators of multiple services for local populations. NTFPs play a crucial role in conservation, development, and restoration projects, improving ecosystem conditions and the quality of life for local populations without compromising ecological integrity. Fabaceae is the dominant family in the Bosque seco tropical, with the genera Caesalpinia, Guazuma, Gliricidia, Melicoccus, and Senna being the most reported for their uses. The most mentioned category of use is medicinal, followed by fuelwood and food. The leaves, branches, and fruits of these species are primarily used. A clear trend of meliferous use was observed in San Juan, animal husbandry in Barrancas, and the production of charcoal in Hibacharo, with a significant importance of edible species in the three nodes. Medicinal species are generally used to treat pain, inflammation, wounds, and burns, as well as respiratory diseases. To ensure the conservation and sustainable use of the Bosque seco, it is essential to maintain knowledge about the uses of native species, propagate these species, and incorporate them into local productive systems. It is also crucial to raise awareness among communities about the importance and value of the species present in this ecosystem, particularly those with invasive behavior. The study area consists of three nodes: Nodos Hibácharo-Atlántico, Los Colorados-Bolívar, and Barrancas-Guajira. The research focused on the use of NTFPs in these areas, with a particular emphasis on medicinal species. The study aimed to identify the most used species, their parts, and the purposes for which they are used. The research also sought to understand the role of NTFPs in the livelihoods of local communities and their potential for contributing to conservation and sustainable development. The methodology involved a preliminary study, fieldwork, and data processing. The preliminary study involved a review of existing literature on the Bosque seco and NTFPs. Fieldwork consisted of interviews with local communities, observations of NTFP use, and collection of plant specimens. Data processing involved the analysis of the information collected, including the identification of species, their uses, and the purposes for which they are used. The results of the study show that NTFPs are an essential component of the livelihoods of local communities in the Bosque seco. The most used species are those with medicinal properties, followed by fuelwood and food species. The study also highlights the importance of NTFPs in the conservation and sustainable use of the Bosque seco, as they provide an alternative to timber production and contribute to the maintenance of ecosystem services. The study concludes that the conservation and sustainable use of the Bosque seco depend on the maintenance of knowledge about the uses of native species, their propagation, and incorporation into local productive systems. It is also essential to raise awareness among communities about the importance and value of the species present in this ecosystem, particularly those with invasive behavior. The study recommends the development of strategies for the sustainable use of NTFPs, including the establishment of community-managed forests and the promotion of ecotourism.