The Southern Yungas forest is threatened due to a high rate of forest transformation. Remnant forests are subject to an intensive unsustainable harvesting and Amburana cearensis is a valuable timber of this forest that is distributed only in the piedmont forest. The species has been over harvested by unsustainable timber logging that completely removed large trees and depleted stocks, and timber harvesting did not assure its regeneration.

The species is categorized as Endangered by the IUCN since 1998, but the lack of ecological information has prevented adequate management of this species and other forest resources. We believe that understanding the ecology of tree species in forest ecosystems is crucial to develop conservation strategies for valuable timber species. Vital aspects on regeneration of exploited species are lacking, and therefore it has prevented to implement effective silvicultural initiatives that ensure the conservation of those species that are harvested. Therefore this project we will study natural regeneration of A. cearensis by determining seedling densities in forests and its relationship with environmental variables: canopy closure, soil conditions and profile, vertical and horizontal vegetation profile, distance to nearest life form, and litter cover.

We will also develop a brochure and media articles on the current conservation status of the species and the need to increase the value of degraded forest stands through enrichment activities. We hope reach all stakeholders: community leaders and local authorities, forestry companies, local people, etc.

We will conduct forest enrichment activities in different forest properties that currently have a depleted stock of the species. We will invite stakeholders to participate in the activity. We will monitor the survival and record possible mortality cause of the seedlings. The information gathered on natural and enrichment regeneration we will summarized in a booklet for forest management.