Growth potential of Carapa guianensis (Aubl.) in Tumaco, Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: Determining growth and yield potential of a forest species is a requirement for management planning. One of the important forest species for the Tumaco region is Carapa guianensis (Aubl.), due to its high timber potential. Objective: To evaluate the growth potential of the native species C. guianensis (andiroba or tangare) in Tumaco, Colombia. Materials and methods: Permanent plots were established in which tree measurement variables were recorded for 90 even-aged individuals for 60 months. Mean annual increments were estimated and an allometric equation was fitted to estimate height from the diameter at 1.30 m (DBH). Results and discussion: At 60 months of age, C. guianensis trees showed survival between 70 and 87 %. Mean annual increase in diameter and height was 2.9 cm∙yr-1 and 2.3 cm∙yr-1, respectively. By fitting linear and nonlinear models, we determine the following allometric equation. The species showed rapid diameter growth compared to other regions where it can take more than 50 years to reach a minimum usable diameter of 40 cm. Conclusion: Based on mean annual growth increments, and under the agroecological conditions of the region, C. guianensis is expected to reach maturity at an early age (before 50 years of age).