Alternatives and characterization of the ‘Caatinga’ in the rural settlements of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Abstract

‘Caatinga’ was characterized in the settlement areas evaluating alternatives of sustainability. Seven areas were inventoried in the Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. The vegetation stratus were separate in four groups considering degree of covering of the ground and trees subdivided according to class of potential use (fuel [3-8cm of diameter], logs [8-13cm of diameter] and logs [>13cm of diameter]) and costs for attainment this products. Among the settlements, high variation in the number of species of potential management, in total supply of wood and consequently the income proportionate was observed. In general, the income verified in the studied areas was low, may be practiced to obtain a complementary income, especially during the dry months when the agricultural activities are not practiced in the region.