Wood density of forest species in integrated crop-livestock-forest system in the Brazilian Amazon: challenges and opportunities for Bertholletia excelsa, Dipteryx odorata, and Khaya grandifoliola

Abstract

Wood density is the physical property directly related to the timber potential of a species and influences the environmental service of carbon storage and sequestration. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the wood density at different moisture levels (apparent, anhydrous, and basic) of the species Bertholletia excelsa, Dipteryx odorata, and Khaya grandifoliola in a young forest stand cultivated in an integrated crop-livestock-forest system. The Technological Reference Unit, established in 2010, highlighted the necessity for management interventions by 2021 to prevent excessive shading and eliminate phenotypically undesirable species. Material samples were harvested at five heights along the commercial stem to analyze wood density (anhydrous, apparent, and basic). Our results revealed that D. odorata had the highest densities (0.99, 0.91, and 0.83 g/cm3), while B. excelsa and K. grandifoliola displayed lower densities (0.68, 0.61, 0.55 g/cm3 and 0.61, 0.56, 0.51 g/cm3, respectively). Notably, D. odorata exhibited an increasing basic density from base to top, while K. grandifoliola demonstrated greater homogeneity along its stem. The presented results provide robust technical support to inform decision-making on the use of native and exotic species in integrated production systems, as well as emphasizing the potential of the crop-livestock-forest system as a sustainable production practice.