Abstract
Traditional wooden boatbuilding remains essential for mobility, fishing activities, and local economies along the Brazilian Amazonian coast. In this context, wood selection often relies on empirical knowledge and vernacular nomenclature, which may obscure the taxonomic identity and technological attributes of the materials used. This study evaluated macroscopic wood anatomy as an applied tool for identifying timber employed in traditional coastal boatyards in the state of Pará, Brazil. A total of 123 wood samples were collected from active boatyards in the municipalities of Bragança (including the village of Bacuriteua), Augusto Corrêa, and Viseu. Samples were identified based on diagnostic anatomical characters observed under low magnification, supported by specialized literature, reference databases, and comparisons with wood collection specimens. Correspondence between vernacular names and botanical taxa was assessed, and technological properties relevant to boatbuilding were synthesized from the literature. Macroscopic anatomy allowed the recognition of 15 taxa and revealed non-one-to-one correspondences between vernacular nomenclature and botanical identity. Literature-reported technological data for the identified taxa and reference species showed a predominance of medium- to high-density woods, with moderate to high natural durability and substantial mechanical strength among taxa for which these properties were available. These characteristics are consistent with technological requirements previously reported for wooden boat construction. These findings show that anatomical identification can clarify the botanical identity underlying locally used timber names and provide a taxonomic basis for interpreting previously documented patterns of timber selection. Integrating anatomical identification, vernacular classification, and technological information strengthens the interface between taxonomy and traditional use and may support management, traceability, and conservation strategies for woody resources in culturally relevant production systems.