“É pra acabar com o pequi do Goiás” : história ambiental e a valorização da espécie frutífera nativa do cerrado brasileiro (1819-2022)

Abstract

The Cerrado, the second largest biome in Brazil and one of the 25 priority areas for globalconservation, stands out for its species diversity and importance in connecting with other biomes.Caryocar brasiliense Cambess, popularly known as pequi, is an emblematic species of theCerrado, playing a crucial role in preserving biodiversity. However, rapid deforestation, drivenby the expansion of agribusiness in Goiás and the Cerrado, threatens both the biome and the pequitree. The expression "IT'S TO FINISH OFF THE PEQUI FROM GOIÁS" reflects the concernabout the irreversible situation faced by the Cerrado and its species This thesis addresses, in asingle research, the three dimensions of Environmental History related to the pequi tree. The firstchapter maps the chronological record of pequi from the early nineteenth century to the centenaryof the independence of Brazil, exploring the structure and environmental distribution of the past.The second chapter examines the timber exploitation of pequi from the eighteenth to the twentiethcenturies, highlighting the society-nature relationship and changes in the cerrado'sphytophysionomy, as well as grounding on the species as hardwood, since the priority for use,transportation, and commercialization was of the Portuguese Crown. The third chapter estimatesthe economic value of the pequi tree, highlighting its importance as cultural heritage and humanperceptions regarding nature. And the fourth chapter addresses the history of science and theagronomic development of the pequi tree, from the initial process to the launch of thornlessseedlings. This innovation aims to meet market demands, but also raises questions aboutenvironmental impact and sustainability, proposing to understand whether this thornless varietyof pequi will effectively contribute to the conservation of the Cerrado or become a commodity,raising concerns about unrestrained exploitation and environmental challenges. In summary, theresearch encompasses the history, exploitation, economic value, and agronomic development ofthe pequi tree, providing a comprehensive view of the interaction between society and nature inthe context of the Cerrado, while highlighting the challenges faced in conserving this uniquebiome.