Açai palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) is an important component of the varzea forest ecosystem in the Brazilian Amazon. It is the main source of raw material for the palm heart industry, being responsible for more than 80% of the total produced in Brazil. The way in which this species has been exploited has caused its degradation in some areas, consequently reducing the production of fruits, an element of the diet for local inhabitants. The aim of this study was to analyze the regeneration process of natural açai palm areas modified by palm heart extraction in the lowlands of the Amazon River estuary. The research was carried out in the county of Igarapé-Miri, Pará, Brazil, where phenological, growth, social and economical factors were analyzed in order to identify rational methods of exploitation. Data were obtained on plant population, shoot emission, height, diameter, leaf number, dry matter production, productivity and profitability of managed and unmanaged açai palm areas at different periods after palm heart extraction (0, 12, 24 and 36 months). The results show that at 48 months after palm heart extraction the native açai-palm areas were rehabilitated and entered production again, presenting a population of 1.600 plants/ha, from which 30 % start to produce fruits and 50 % were capable of producing palm hearts. It was verified that fruit gathering is more profitable than palm hearts extraction and that management is a practice that increases productivity and profitability of native açai-palm in lowland flood areas.
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