Strategies for Achieving Sustainable Logging Rate in the Brazilian Amazon Forest

Abstract

Data of increment of the remnant trees after logging, ingrowth and mortality was obtained by assessment before logging and after 6 years, two sites of 50 ha, in Amazon forest. Logging scenarios were simulated to identify the logging rate potential for each studying site, by diameter class projection method. The cycle of 35 years and the logging rate of 30 m3∙ha−1 exceed the time required for recovery in the primary forest, in the studied site. The simulation showed that in the studying area, a well-planned logging, with minimum logging damage would be possible to implement an initial cycle of 25 years to the forest to recover 30 m3∙ha−1, if 50% of the timber stock were reserved. The forest increment, beyond important factors such as the increase of individual species, is quite dependent on the remnant trees.