Between discourse and practice: challenges of sustainable forest management in the Caatinga

Sustainable forest management is often regarded as a promising strategy to reconcile environmental conservation and income generation in semi-arid regions. However, its implementation in the Brazilian Caatinga faces technical, economic, and social constraints that undermine the effectiveness of many initiatives. This study aimed to understand why forest management projects are frequently unsuccessful or abandoned, even in contexts with evident ecological and commercial potential, and to identify which woody species of the Caatinga show real viability for sustainable management systems, considering multiple uses and the realities of local producers. The research was based on an integrative literature review combined with field observations in managed forest areas within the Caatinga biome. The results indicate that species such as Mimosa tenuiflora, Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia, Poincianella pyramidalis, and Croton sonderianus are more suitable for energy purposes and small-scale systems, whereas Myracrodruon urundeuva and Amburana cearensis are better suited to specific high-value niches. The study concludes that the success of forest management in the Caatinga depends on strategic species selection, technical support, and the integration of scientific knowledge with traditional practices.