Forest dynamics in the eastern Amazon with special reference to sapotaceae species

Abstract

Sapotaceae species are among the most dominant tree species in the Amazon forest and are high valued timbers. This paper aimed to evaluate the effect of Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) over a dense tropical rain forest with special reference to Sapotaceae species, to generate information helping decision making in forest management. In 1997, out of a 1050 ha forest area located in the municipality of Moju, State of Pará, Brazil, 200 ha were selected to be logged applying a logging intensity of 23 m3 ha-1 and RIL techniques. To monitor forest dynamics, 22 permanent sample plots (11 ha sampling area) were established and all trees with DBH = 10 cm were measured in years 1995, 1998 and 2010. In the whole observation period, mortality and ingrowth of Sapotaceae species were, respectively, 1.5% year-1 and 1.0% year-1. Trees with full overhead light grew 0.39 cm year-1 and those completely shaded grew only 0.16 cm year-1. Mortality higher than ingrowth indicates that the population of Sapotaceae species still need a period longer than 13 years to recover equilibrium after RIL, despite showing increased diametric growth rates.