Dendrochronology Applied to Three Forest Species in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Sustainable forest management is a legal alternative to combat deforestation and preserve natural resources in the long term. However, the lack of information on the growth and productivity of forests and individual species compromises its effectiveness. To obtain this information, dendrochronological techniques can be used. The aim of the study was to evaluate the dendrochronological potential of three tree species found in terra firme tropical rainforests: Astronium graveolens Jacquin, Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A.Juss.) Müll.Arg., and Inga cylindrica (Vell.) Mart. The method involved collecting disks from the base of the trees (cross-dating), preparing the disks through polishing and scanning, and analyzing the growth rings based on anatomical characteristics. This technique is essential for understanding forest growth patterns, assessing tree responses to environmental changes, and supporting sustainable forest management practices. The three species showed distinct and visible growth rings to the naked eye. H. brasiliensis was classified as distinct, while A. graveolens and I. cylindrica were classified as less distinct. The dendrochronological analysis indicated that the three species presented a correlation between the growth ring series, with A. graveolens and H. brasiliensis showing an average correlation of 0.568 and 0.575, respectively, and I. cylindrica 0.3281. By analyzing the Master series, high growth peaks were identified for H. brasiliensis in 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, and 2021, for A. graveolens in 1996, 1982, 2011, 2020, and 2005, and for I. cylindrica in 1989, 2001, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2017. The species have dendrochronological potential and can contribute to the study of the cycle and minimum cutting diameter in forest management.