Arecaceae in Brazil: A Critical Synthesis of Taxonomic, Ecological, and Ethnobotanical Research and Implications for Conservation

Resumen

The family Arecaceae Bercht. & J. Presl (palms) comprises one of the most diverse and functionally relevant groups of tropical angiosperms, playing a central role in forest structure and in socioecological systems across Brazil. This article presents a documentary and bibliographic review aimed at synthesizing the current state of knowledge on Arecaceae in Brazil and identifying patterns, gaps, and biases in scientific production. Literature searches were conducted in national and international databases, with taxonomic validation based on the official Flora e Funga do Brasil database. The analyzed studies were organized into four thematic axes: (i) taxonomy and biogeography; (ii) population ecology and biotic interactions; (iii) ethnobotany and sustainable use; and (iv) technological innovations and conservation genetics. The review indicates that Brazil harbors a high diversity of palms, distributed across all phytogeographic domains, with marked concentrations of research effort in taxonomic and floristic studies, which account for over 45% of the publications. In contrast, fewer than 20% of studies address population ecology using robust demographic data. Ethnobotanical research represents 25–30% of the literature but rarely incorporates quantitative assessments of sustainability, while technological and genetic approaches comprise less than 15% of studies and still face limitations related to field validation and practical application. Overall, the consolidation of knowledge on Arecaceae in Brazil requires stronger integration between classical botanical approaches and emerging tools to support evidence-based strategies for conservation and sustainable management.