Andressa Ribeiro

Estratégias e metodologias de ajuste de modelos hipsométricos em plantios de Eucalyptus sp.

This study aimed at testing different data gathering and adjustment strategies of traditional and generic hypsometric models in order to improve Eucalyptus sp. tree height estimates. Tree height and diameter pairs were colleted in 36 plots, belonging to Veracel Celulose S.A. The data were divided into different treatments according to age, site, and combination of age and site of the stands, totaling 14 treatments. The data gathering strategies consisted in using a different number of trees with height measurement to form the database used for the model adjustments. When considering the data gathering strategies where the first five trees per plot and the first five trees per plot plus the dominants were selected, it was concluded that the best strategies consisted in using the Curtis model adjusted per plot, and the two generic models from Campos & Leite (2006) and Scolforo (2005). When considering the data gathering strategy in which trees were added based on the absence of an individual on a determined diameter quartiles, only the Curtis model per plot was selected.

African Mahogany (Khaya spp.) Cultivation and the Increase of the Activity in Brazil

O setor florestal brasileiro esta em plena expansao e com um aumento gradativo de investidores florestais optando pelo cultivo de especies de madeira nobre. O mogno africano (Khaya spp.) e uma especie que vem se destacando na preferencia dos empresarios como opcao no investimento florestal. Porem, estudos e pesquisas sobre a especie, principalmente no Brasil, sao escassos. Assim, a presente revisao procurou reunir diversas fontes de publicacao, nacionais e internacionais, abordando aspectos historicos do mogno, buscando aclarar as caracteristicas da especie e a experiencia de outros paises no manejo dessa cultura.

SITE QUALITY CURVES FOR AFRICAN MAHOGANY PLANTATIONS IN BRAZIL

Site quality estimation is an important tool in forest management since it is useful for modeling growth and yield for even-aged stands. Data from African mahogany (Khaya ivorensis A. Chev.) Brazilian plantations were used to develop a model to predict dominant height growth, comparing dynamic base-age invariant site index models with the guide curve method (static models). For the evaluation of the candidate models qualitative and quantitative criteria were used. We also verified the stability of the candidate models, preferring a model providing fewer site class changes when predicting site index from different ages. The Lundqvist-Korf function fitted with the guide curve method proved to be effective and accurate for site classification and dominant height predictions of African mahogany stands. The range of observed site index, at a reference age of 15, was between 17 and 33 meters.

EVOLUÇÃO DAS VARIÁVEIS DENDROMÉTRICAS DA BRACATINGA POR CLASSE DE SÍTIO

The identification of the growth rhythm of the dendrometric variables of forest species with the use of stem analysis is quick, efficient and of great importance in the decision making by forest managers. Thus, the objectives of this research were to analyze the annual evolution of the yield curves, Mean Annual Increment (MAI) and Current Annual Increment (CAI) in height, diameter, cross sectional area and volume of individual Mimosa scabrellaBenth (Bracatinga) in different site classes, and also, to fit mathematical models to express the evolution of these variables over the years. The database came from complete stem analysis of 29 Mimosa scabrella trees collected in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, with ages ranging from seven to 18 years, distributed in three site classes. After the measurements and basic data processing, six mathematical models were adjusted for each one of the four dendrometric variables, independently for each site. The best model was chosen based on the adjusted coefficient of determination (R²aj), relative standard error of estimate (Syx%) and residual graphic analysis. The results showed that the Chapman-Richards model presented the best fitting for almost all analyzed variables in all three sites. It was also verified that the culmination order of the current annual increment followed the expected chronological order, that is, first height, then diameter, cross sectional area, and finally, volume, in all the sites.

A comparison of diameter distribution models for Khaya ivorensis A.Chev. plantations in Brazil

The purpose of this study was to compare Beta, Gamma, Johnsons SB and Weibull functions fitted by different methods for describing the horizontal structure of Khaya ivorensis (African mahogany) plantations in Brazil. The database comprised 128 plots from six plantations at varying ages. The function fits were compared using the Kolmogoroff–Smirnoff test, mean bias and mean absolute error for the number of trees and basal area per hectare per diameter class. Johnsons SB outperformed the other functions, although all functions provided an adequate fit. The best methods were method of moments and maximum likelihood fitted using 25% of the minimum observed diameter as the location parameter for the Johnsons SB function. The errors were greater in diameter classes with higher frequencies. Location and scale parameters were highly correlated with mean diameter and age for the Weibull and Johnsons SB functions, respectively, which is convenient for diameter prediction. Gammas scale parameter had medium correlation with age. Betas parameters had low correlation with stand attributes assessed.

HEIGHT-DIAMETER MODELS FOR Eucalyptus sp. PLANTATIONS IN BRAZIL

The use of height-diameter models have important applications in the management of eucalyptus plantations. The aim of this paper is to provide adequate height models based on the diameter and stand variables that could be easily used and applied to plantation’s management. The data was based on tests located in Espírito Santo and Bahia. A total of 312 plots, including 35 different treatments (different initial planting densities, number and severity of thinning operations, fertilization regimes, among others), and four different clones. This resulted in 2,407 conditions for 85,608 tree measurements. The constructed equations were based on mixed-effect models, in order to accommodate possible autocorrelations, to address variations between sites and to obtain locally calibrated estimates. Among the different model structures and combination of variables tested and presented, the best model showed a coefficient of determination of 0.953 and 0.988, for the fixed and fixed+random parts, respectively. The model included a random factor for measurements-within-tree and tree-within-plot. The bias of the fixed part was 0.208 cm (0.0659%). We believe the models in this study can have broad applications in management and inventory methods applied to plantations. HEIGHT-DIAMETER MODELS FOR EUCALYPTUS SP. PLANTATIONS IN BRAZIL

Volume equations for Khaya ivorensis A. Chev. plantations in Brazil

African mahogany (Khaya spp.) plantations are in expansion in Brazil and in the world. This fact justifies the need for studies related to its growth and yield. This paper aimed to evaluate the performance of single-entry and double-entry models for estimating merchantable and total volume for Khaya ivorensis plantations before the first thinning (7 years) and expected final cut (15 years). Volume data was from 100 and 46 trees in Minas Gerais and Pará states, respectively, by using an electronic dendrometer (Criterion RD 1000). Observed volumes were calculated by Smalians formula. To validate the optical dendrometer, 10 trees were felled and had their volume measured, and compared with the volumes measured indirectly. The results showed that observed and estimated volumes were statistically equal, and that double-entry models were more precise than single-entry models. Schumacher and Hall model was the best equation to estimate merchantable volume for first thinning and for final cut in Minas Gerais stands. Spurr logarithmized model was the best equation to estimate total volume for first thinning and Spurr model for final cut in Pará stands. All chosen equations can be used to quantify merchantable and total volumes of Khaya ivorensis grown under similar conditions.

Pruning of Eucalyptus grandis X Eucalyptus urophylla Planted at Low Density in Southeastern Brazil

Tree pruning is a silvicultural operation that aims to improve wood quality, but care must be taken regarding the timing and height of the lift to ensure that tree growth is not negatively affected. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different pruning heights on height and diameter growth of Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla. The experiment was done in a one year old stand which was planted at 9 × 3 m spacing, managed under a silvopastoral regime, and located in Joao Pinheiro, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Pruning treatments removed branches carrying the lower green crown as follows: 0% (unpruned), 20, 40, and 60% of total tree height. Diameter at breast height (DBH at 1.3 m) and total height of all trees in the sample plots were measured prior to pruning and one year after pruning. Compared to the unpruned control, pruning significantly reduced mean DBH and total height in the 40 and 60% treatments but not in the 20% treatment. Thus, it was concluded that when pruning operation is done before canopy closure not more than 20% of lower green crow should be removed to avoid tree growth reduction. Key words: Silvopastoral regime, silvicultural intervention, forest management.

Structure of the diameter distribution of an experimental plantation of candeia (Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish)

The present study had as its main objective to characterize the diameter distribution of an experimental plantation of ‘candeia’ trees submitted to different treatments (age, spacing and silvicultural treatments), by adjusting several probability density functions. Subsequently, a prognosis of the selected function parameters in relation to age was conducted. The probability density functions tested were: Gamma, Normal, Log-normal,2-parameter Weibull (2P) and 3-parameter Weibull (3P) for the different study groups. The selection of the best fit was based on the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test with a probability of 95%. The Weibull 3P function present the best fits for the majority of the treatments, especially for pruned trees, being thus chosen for the prognosis of the parameters according to age. It was detected that pruning affected the scale parameters, but not the shape parameters, while spacing did not influence the function parameters in a significant manner. Hence, linear equations were adjusted for the prognosis of the parameters in relation