Rubber tapper identities: Political-economic dynamics, livelihood shifts, and environmental implications in a changing Amazon

Published Date
Geoforum
March 2012, Vol.43(2):260–271, doi:10.1016/j.geoforum.2011.09.005
SI - Party Politics, the Poor and the City: reflections from South Africa

Author 

• Carlos Valério Aguiar Gomes ^a,1,
• Jacqueline M. Vadjunec ^b,2,
• Stephen G. Perz ^c,,

• aDepartment of Geography, University of Florida, 3141 Turlington Hall, P.O. Box 117315, Gainesville, FL 32611-7315, United States
• bDepartment of Geography, 337 Murray Hall, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-4073, United States
• cDepartment of Sociology and Criminology & Law, University of Florida, 3219 Turlington Hall, P.O. Box 117330, Gainesville, FL 32611-7330, United States

Received 1 March 2010. Revised 14 September 2011. Available online 11 October 2011. 

Abstract

Rubber tappers promoted extractive reserves as a sustainable alternative to forest destruction in the Brazilian Amazon. However, the significance of rubber tapping itself has declined since the creation of extractive reserves, which raises questions about the contemporary cultural content of the rubber tapper identity. This paper therefore evaluates rubber tapper identity, using the case of the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve (CMER) in Acre, Brazil. We first draw on household survey data from the CMER to construct a statistical model of who self-identifies as a rubber tapper. The model shows that socio-economic background, household assets, institutional context, and knowledge of the CMER’s management plan are relevant to understanding rubber tapper self-identification, but not resource management practices, including rubber tapping itself. We therefore pursue qualitative analysis of key informant interviews to better apprehend contemporary understandings of the “rubber tapper” identity, particularly in light of recent shifts in livelihoods from rubber tapping toward cattle ranching. The qualitative analysis shows that there are now several different foundations for self-identifying as a “rubber tapper,” and that there are disagreements concerning the acceptability of cattle ranching among “rubber tappers.” These findings bear implications for research on the relationship of livelihood-based identities with resource management practices and environmental change, as well as public policies that seek to reconcile regional development with forest conservation.

Highlights

► We asked residents of an extractive reserve whether they identify as rubber tappers. ► Most identify as rubber tappers, but a minority taps rubber, and many herd cattle. ► Residents report many different reasons for self-identifying as rubber tappers. ► Cattle ranching in extractive reserves divides rubber tappers politically. ► Livelihood shifts cause tensions over the content of livelihood-based identities.

Keywords

Rubber tappers

Extractive reserve

Chico mendes

Land-use

Cattle ranching

Amazon

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Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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