Potencial agroecológico de la uña de gato en comunidades tikuna de la Amazonia colombiana.

Uncaria guianensis (Aublet) J.F. Gmel and U. tomentosa (Willd. Ex Roemer & Schultes) DC., both species popularly known as cat's claw. They are recognized for their use in traditional medicine and for their commercial potential in the pharmaceutical industry. The increasing interest in the marketing of plants such as cat's claw has led to intensive extraction in primary forests without taking into account aspects of sustainability. Despite its importance in the international market, few experiences are known about the agroecological management of these species in Peru and Costa Rica has researched exclusively U. tomentosa. Through the participatory analysis of the agroecological management of cat's claw, it was found that the Tikuna communities know the morphological characteristics of the species, the growth areas, the natural regeneration, control of weeds and the bark extraction methods. However, they have technical deficiencies for the implementation of practices such as species inventory, multiplication of plant material, agroforestry associations and bark processing. The structuring of the network of values allowed to identify both the social actors and the activities required to carry out the productive initiatives. Those can be integrated into the tourist and artisanal activities, typical of these communities. It is expected that this study will provide additional information that will lead to the use of Uncaria species, as well as the autonomy and sustainable management of Amazonian indigenous populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]