This study provides guidelines for the conservation and management of barbatimão, whose bark is used in the production of a traditional medicine which is being commercialized by the pharmaceutical industry. Exploitation without replacement is causing the reduction of this resource. Thus, seven transects were set up in four conservation units at the Distrito Federal: one in the Arboretum - UnB, two in the Olympic Center Woods - UnB in the Paranoá APA, three in the ''Gama Cabeça de Veado'' APA and one in the Northern Ecological Park. The diameter and the heights of the plants were measured and the levels of bark damage caused by exploitation were registered. A two-hour walk was completed in each transect. Damage was classified in eight categories (0 = no damage, 1 = > 10 %, 2 = 11-25%, 3 = 26-50%, 4 = 51-75%, 5 = 76-100% of removed bark, 6 = dead trees and 7 = resprouts). The diameter structure was fitted to the reversed-J regression model. Frequency at the initial diameter classes was below the expected, indicating that there may be a reduction in the density of this species. Qualitative assessment indicated that two out of five individuals studied showed signs of exploitation regardless of size of the plant. Therefore, it is important to establish policies for a sustainable management plan for the conservation units in the Distrito Federal and also to develop methodologies for cultivation and sustainable management of this species.
Exploitation; barbatimão; Stryphnodendron adstringens
