Acai fruit is vital for rural food security and livelihoods in the Amazonian Estuary. Local enrichment of forests to enhance acai palm densities and climatic warming are subjecting palms to higher temperatures, and local people have reported large falls in acai fruit production during hot years. Here we investigate this local perception, using over 400 interviews with acai producers. Most producers reported a fall in acai production in hot years, due to low initial production and failure of developing fruit. There was a widespread perception that intensively enriched groves (high acai palm densities) produce more fruit, but that fruit loss was greater in these same areas during hot years - presenting a potential management paradox. Our study provides initial evidence of the prevalence, mechanisms, and management implications of acai fruit production loss due to climate change. Further multidisciplinary research is needed to better understand this problem, and to minimize potential socioeconomic impacts.

中文翻译：

---

巴西莓棕榈树对气候变化的脆弱性

巴西莓对亚马逊河口的农村粮食安全和生计至关重要。当地丰富的森林以提高巴西莓棕榈树的密度和气候变暖正在使棕榈树承受更高的温度，当地人报告说，在炎热的年份，巴西莓果的产量大幅下降。在这里，我们通过对巴西莓生产者的 400 多次采访来调查这种当地看法。大多数生产者报告说，在炎热的年份，巴西莓产量下降，原因是初始产量低和果实发育失败。人们普遍认为，密集种植的树林（高密度的阿萨伊棕榈树）产出的果实更多，但在炎热的年份，这些地区的果实损失更大——这呈现出潜在的管理悖论。我们的研究提供了流行率、机制、气候变化导致的巴西莓果产量损失和管理影响。需要进一步的多学科研究来更好地理解这个问题，并尽量减少潜在的社会经济影响。