Bulnesia sarmientoi Lorenz ex Griseb, locally known as “Palo Santo”, is a slow-growing endemic tree of the Chaco region of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and neighbouring areas of Brazil (see map). With 25 m of maximum height and about 80 cm of maximun width at chest, this species could be found sparsely or in relativelly continuous stands associated to argillous and salty soils.
In Argentina B. sarmientoi forest stands cover about 25,000 km2 (2.5 million hectares) in the provinces of Salta, Formosa and Chaco.
This species was traditionally exploited for making handicrafts, firewood and posts, among other local uses. Occasionally it was harvested for making naval shaft guides and for the obtention of essence (guayacol) of considerable value by the perfume industry. On the other hand, large-scale logging for timber was banned for decades, as Bulnesia was perceived as a non-renewable resource due to its low-growth rates.
As of year 2002, the irruption of a new and almost unlimited market for South American hard wood species (mainly China -Mainland and Taiwan) fostered an unprecedented demand on this and other Chaco timber species, as well as a rapid change in Bulnesia’s legal status and the opening of a large-scale exploitation in its distribution range.
About 20-30,000 m3 of timber posts, debarked logs and sawn-wood are exported each year from Argentina originating mainly from provinces of Salta and Formosa, and occasionally from the province of Chaco.
Despite the interest demonstrated by provincial enviromental authorities in regulating logging activities, the lack of resources and serious operative constraints affect the traceability of the processes, rendering legislation and management policies useless.
While the present situation does not imply a real risk of biological extinction for Bulnesia, current logging practices pose serious doubts about trade sustainability at local level and represent a threat for the species as sustainable source of income.
