Growth dynamic of a tempered forest under management in the northwest of Mexico

Abstract

The dynamics of the tree component of second-growth natural forests of Pinus in northwestern Mexico was analyzed. For this, the behavior of different dasometric parameters related to the density and dimensions of trees was evaluated, from data obtained previous to silvicultural interventions. Records of all individuals with diameter at breast height ≥ 7.6 cm were used, from three periodic inventories of permanent plots (1986, 1996 and 2006). Mean test comparisons were carried out for the dasometric parameters among assessments. Differences in dimensions of the parameters in successive evaluations denote the dynamics of growth and development belonging to a regular forest. The average trees and plots growth showed higher individual increment in the first period. This behavior was constant at the forest level in the last period, suggesting a continuous yield, which is produced by a sustainable forest management system. In conclusion, the studied forest is an even-aged forest which records an increment in the size of trees and the volume of the stands, and allows sustained timber production with silvicultural interventions applied for its development.