Inventory and assessment of the conservation status and cultivation of patas (Theobroma bicolor) and vanilla (Vanilla spp.) in Napo Province - preliminary results
Synopsis
Theobroma bicolor (patas muyo or white cacao) and several vanilla species (Vanilla spp.) are recognized as Amazonian biodiversity resources with significant potential to strengthen a sustainable regional bioeconomy, an economic model envisioned to gradually replace, in the medium term, revenues from oil and mining, which currently account for more than 90 % of the GDP of the Ecuadorian Amazon. This study aimed to identify these species and to assess their frequency and current relevance both in chakras (traditional Kichwa agroforestry systems) and in the natural forests of Napo Province. The methodology involved: (a) delineating four protected areas in Napo, Sumaco Napo-Galeras, Antisana, and Llanganates National Parks, as well as the Colonso Chalupas Biological Reserve; (b) selecting 12 Kichwa communities located in the buffer zones of these protected areas whose chakras are affiliated with Corporación Chakra; and (c) inventorying and describing representative individuals of T. bicolor and Vanilla spp. occurring in chakras and in selected sectors of the protected areas. A total of 140 individuals of T. bicolor were documented, all within chakra zones and none confirmed in natural forests; nonetheless, morphological descriptions suggest the presence of at least four distinct genotypes. Likewise, 256 plants were documented across 99 accessions, representing five identified species and seven yet to be identified. The sample included Vanilla odorata (58 %), V. planifolia (7%), V. pompona (6 %), V. tahitensis (5 %), V. cribbiana (2 %), and Vanilla spp. (22 %). V. odorata is the species most widely cultivated by members of Corporación Chakra. A botanical identification key for the species of Napo is currently under development. Preliminary conclusions indicate that T. bicolor is closely associated with chakra systems, much like guayusa and cacao; moreover, although vanilla cultivation is not a traditional practice in the region, its growing popularity is consolidating it as an emerging source of household and community income.
Published
April 3, 2026
Categories
Copyright (c) 2026 Zulay Marina Niño Ruiz, Laura Inés Salazar Cotugno (Coordinador de obra); Patricia Yissel Dávalos Cerrón, Azucena Chanatasig, Felipe Cerrera, Andrea Carolina Palacios Rosado, Mateo Patricio Sánchez Sanaguano, Liliana Paulina Lalaleo Córdova, William Calero Cáceres, Santiago Casado, Joshua Pazmiño, Jaime Martí-Herrero, Rocio Cecibel Jiménez Paute, Kevin Campaña, Elena Coyago-Cruz, Andrea Hidalgo-Dávila, Lizbeth Alpusig-Guanoluisa, Belén Apolo, Felipe Rivera-Rueda, Yerovi Sánchez-Arias, Karen Marcella García, Rubianith Suárez, Harol Smith Daza, Geovanna Tafurt, Duverney de Jesús Chaverra, Edita Valle, Evelyn Oña, Mishel Calero, Jonathan Liria, Andrés Sebastian Calderón Velasco, Roque Rivas-Párraga, Inti Llumiquinga, Ana Bravo, Julio Rea, Máximo Moreira, Oscar Vivanco, Nicole Jara, Lilibeth Carrión, Stefanía Cevallos, Paulo Herrera, Esteban Patricio Romero Valladares, Ana Paula Rosero-Jácome, Eliza Jara-Negrete, Gabriel Picón Nava, Nelly Paredes, Wilfredo Ramiro Franco, Wilmer Shiguango, Willin Álvarez, Juan Ponce, Jessica Sánchez, Christian Israel Andrade Romero, Alexandra Vargas, David Sanchez, Negover Briñez, Byron García, Dennis Tomalá, Mery Ramirez, Jenny Rodríguez, Paúl Tufiño Mateus, Enrique Laaz, Willan Revelo, Cecilia Puertas, Juan Andrés Guadamud, Karina Olalla-Tacuri , Darwin Omar Yánez Avalos, Diana Callejas, Sara Álvarez, John Mauricio Castillo Torres, Edith Pamela Tapia Pruna, Daniela Endara, Carolina Castro, Silvia Alejandra Llerena Gordillo, Kevin Stwart Tulcanaza Ruiz, Noroska G.S. Mogollón, Melany Ochoa, María Cristina Peñuela, Jimmy Yumbo, Enith Yánez, Carolina Ñacato, Samira Lluno, Henry Conteron, Pedro Cadena, Corina Campos, Oswaldo Guzman, Micaela Campos, Cindy Vera, Dayana Vera, Christian Coral, Bruce Tumbaco, María Soledad Solorzano, Bryan Valencia, José Sebastián Araujo Soria, Sandra Torres, Enzo Loor, Oscar Ayala, Darwin Rosero, Amparo Condor, Luis Cáceres, Miguel Flores, Elena Ulcuango, Nicole Pilco, David Galarza, Mishell Cabrera, Julieth Chancay, Paola Soto, David Portillo, Diana Cisneros, José Aguirre-Déleg, Pablo Maita-Zambrano, Aimee Delgado-Cruz, Myrian Larco, María Soledad Salazar, María Susana Grijalva, Viviana Stefanía Cárdenas Loor, Mónica Dazzini Langdon, Sheila Tobar Vallejo, Vinicio Velásquez Zambrano, Juan Carlos Soria Aguas (Autor de capítulo)
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How to Cite
Inventory and assessment of the conservation status and cultivation of patas (Theobroma bicolor) and vanilla (Vanilla spp.) in Napo Province - preliminary results. (2026). In III International Congress of Biotechnology and Neotropical Ecosystems. Editorial Unión Científica. https://doi.org/10.63804/CIBEN.25.bycg.e3
