| Summary: | A three-part study was conducted on Protium copal (Burseraceae) in the lowland tropical
forests of northern Guatemala with the principle objective of providing preliminary data
for the potential exploitation of its resin. Part one investigated the potential resin yield of
an area within the Carmelita Community Forest Concession (CCFC), in the department
of Peten, by tapping copal trees for sixteen weeks using two tapping methods (Tl and
T2). A selection of environmental and biological variables was recorded. Part two
monitored the tapped trees and a sample of untapped copal trees within the study area for
weekly levels of phenological activity. Part three consisted of an ethnobotanical survey
of the local knowledge of the copal tree, conducted with twenty individuals from four
communities near the study area knowledgeable in local forest plants and their uses. The
results from the resin yield study indicated that the variables that described tree size and
health were the greatest determinants of resin production, although unpredictable tree-totree
variability in resin-producing capacity was shown to significantly influence resin
yield. No significant difference was observed between the two tapping methods in terms
of resin yield, but Tl provided a cleaner resin that required less time and effort to collect.
A conservative estimate of resin production in the study area is 2.4 kg/ha, providing a
preliminary estimate of 66, 000 kg of resin for the CCFC per year with a tapping period
of sixteen weeks from February to May. Overall phenological activity rose significantly
from mid to late February (flowering), and from early to late April (fruiting and new
foliage). The level of tapping used in the study had a significant and positive effect on
phenological activity on two of the sixteen data collection dates. The ethnobotanical
survey revealed the resin is the most commonly used part of the copal tree. The resin is
best known locally for its use as ceremonial and healing incense, but also has many
medicinal functions, including the relief of muscular pain, arthritis, rheumatism,
treatment of cavities, removal of various skin ailments and in the treatment of wounds
and bruises. === Forestry, Faculty of === Graduate
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