The region known as the Upper Solimões is very rich in crop genetic resources, especially of fruits, but these resources contribute principally to subsistence rather than having a more ample importance in regional development. A preliminary qualitative survey of native and exotic fruit species was carried out in 11 rural communities (8 traditional peasant, 3 Ticuna Indian) in the principal local ecosystems (floodplain, upland). Thirty-seven native fruits, in 20 families, and 10 exotic fruits, in 9 families were observed; of the natives, 9 were rare (observed in 1 or 2 communities) and 3 were common (observed in 10 or 11 communities); of the exotics, 2 were rare and bananas were found in all communities, being important in both subsistence and trade. Communities with immediate access to both the floodplain and the uplands had more species (22.5±6.6 natives and 6.5±2.2 exotics) than communities with access only to the uplands (19.0±2.2 natives and 5.3±0.5 exotics), which in turn had more species than communities with access only to the floodplain (5±2 natives and 1.5±0.9 exotics).
Amazonia; fruits; traditional populations; indigenous populations; bluffs