As I trekked towards the Caxiuanã Bay from Gurupá, I passed through Brazil's second oldest national forest, the Caxiuanã National Forest. Established in 1961 as a protected area, it is monitored by an onsite research station. Archaeological evidence suggests that the forest was once home to the Guaycuru people, but nowadays, it is sparsely populated, with only around 200 people residing in three small villages. These communities rely on traditional farming, fishing, and hunting to make a living.
Caxiuanã's plant species are incredibly diverse, ranging from towering trees to creeping vines and flowering plants. Alongside familiar species like the Brazil nut, there is the jatoba tree, a hardwood used in furniture and flooring, and the andiroba, often used as an alternative to mahogany. The name "andiroba" comes from the Nheengatu language, a branch of the Tupi language spoken in the Amazon and means "bitter oil." This is because the oil extracted from its seeds has been used in traditional medicine to treat fever and rheumatism and as an insect repellent, to name just a few of its uses.
Another intriguing tree is the copaiba, which takes its name from the Tupi language, meaning "deposit tree". This refers to the oleoresin (a natural mix of oil and resin) found inside the tree. Local natives have long known of its medicinal benefits for healing wounds and bruises, which they discovered when observing injured animals rubbing themselves against the tree trunk in an attempt to access the balsam. Today, the extracted oil is turned into essential oils and used topically for inflammation, pain, and wound healing, as well as in skincare and haircare products.
A common feature of rainforests, including Caxiuanã, is the liana vine. These long-stemmed, woody vines use various fascinating methods to climb toward the canopy. Depending on the species, it may twine around the host plant or cling to its surface using aerial roots or adhesive pads. Another method is to scramble along the forest floor or use tendrils (modified leaves or stem segments) to wrap around its host. Lianas can provide stability, shelter, and a source of food for the ecosystem. They can also become problematic if they grow too densely because they compete with other trees for nutrients and sunlight, potentially disrupting the fine balance of the forest's ecology.
Having reached the end
of my hike, I boarded another riverboat and cruised toward Belém along the
south side of Marajó Island.
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