Minimum diameter and cutting cycle of Copaifera langsdorffii in brazilian neotropical forest

Abstract

The legislation applied to management plans in the Amazon region establishes a minimum cutting diameter, cutting rate, and cutting cycle for the forest as a whole, without considering the individual growth rate of each species. Given this, this study aims to estimate the minimum cutting diameter (MCD) and cutting cycle (CC) of Copaifera langsdorffii, a native Brazilian tree of high value in traditional medicine. For our investigation, we conducted dendrochronological analyses and growth modeling. Tree disk samples from individual trees were used, with their cross-sections sanded with different grit sizes. Growth ring width measurement was performed using Image Pro Plus software, while ring synchronization was carried out with the Cofecha software. To estimate the minimum cutting diameter and cutting cycle, we applied growth modeling through nonlinear regression, using the Gompertz, Chapman-Richards, and Weibull models. The correlation of growth rings was positive and satisfactory (0.403), exceeding Pearson’s critical level (0.328, p < 0.01), demonstrating the species’ potential for dendrochronological studies. An MCD of 56 cm and a CC of 22 years were estimated. Therefore, the studied species exhibits moderate growth, resulting in an MCD and CC different from those established by Brazilian legislation. This information is essential to support forest management practices aimed at the sustainability of the species.The legislation applied to management plans in the Amazon region establishes a minimum cutting diameter, cutting rate, and cutting cycle for the forest as a whole, without considering the individual growth rate of each species. Given this, this study aims to estimate the minimum cutting diameter (MCD) and cutting cycle (CC) of Copaifera langsdorffii, a native Brazilian tree of high value in traditional medicine. For our investigation, we conducted dendrochronological analyses and growth modeling. Tree disk samples from individual trees were used, with their cross-sections sanded with different grit sizes. Growth ring width measurement was performed using Image Pro Plus software, while ring synchronization was carried out with the Cofecha software. To estimate the minimum cutting diameter and cutting cycle, we applied growth modeling through nonlinear regression, using the Gompertz, Chapman-Richards, and Weibull models. The correlation of growth rings was positive and satisfactory (0.403), exceeding Pearson’s critical level (0.328, p < 0.01), demonstrating the species’ potential for dendrochronological studies. An MCD of 56 cm and a CC of 22 years were estimated. Therefore, the studied species exhibits moderate growth, resulting in an MCD and CC different from those established by Brazilian legislation. This information is essential to support forest management practices aimed at the sustainability of the species.