Productivity of four terra firme tree species of Central Amazonia

Abstract

Individual productivity analysis of species helps describe their comportment in forest ecosystems. The objective of this work was to analyze the productivity of four tree species during a period of six years (2000-2006) in a "terra firme" area near Manaus, Amazonas. The productivity was indirectly estimated by using individual allometric equations along with data from a continuous forest inventory. The following species were selected for this study: Pouteria reticulata Eyma (Sapotaceae), Micrandra siphonioides Benth. (Euphorbiaceae), Protium hebetatum Daly (Burseraceae) and Eschweilera wachenheimii Sand (Lecythidaceae). These were selected because they presented a very high importance value index in the area. The raw data used to developed specific equations were taken from an existing set of data. Samples for each species numbered less than 30 individuals; for this reason, "Jackknife" was used. The "jackknifed" equations were used to estimate aboveground biomass of individuals which occurred in two permanent sample plots measured in 2000, and re-measured in 2002, 2004 and 2006. The "jackknife" method was consistent and reliable, with high and significant determination coefficients (r2 > 0,93) and low values of standard error of estimates (sy.x < 0,692). The productivity rates of E. wachenheimii, P. reticulata e P. hebetatum were similar, different from M. siphonioides. The highest productivity was reported for M. siphonioides, and the lowest for P. hebetatum. The intra-specific productivity variability was superior to the inter-specific, with P. reticulata showing the highest variability coefficient.