RCAAP Repository

The understanding of soil carbon stabilization processes can be very useful in the development of mitigation techniques for CO2 emissions and global warming. The greater the hydrophobicity of soil organic matter the more stabilized soil organic carbon. Therefore,  hydrophobicity can be a sensitive index to characterize the ‘quality’ of soil organic matter. In this context, the present work aimed to characterize the chemical  structures of humic acids collected at three different depths in a hydrophobic Entisol (Neossolo) under  loblolly plantation. The results of spectroscopic and chemical analyses (UV-Vis, fluorescence, EPR and X-ray diffractometry) indicated that, as soil depth increased, so did the content of conjugated organic structures, aromatic groups, and free organic radicals, leading to higher humification indices. Aliphatic groups in these fractions were more concentrated in the surface layer than in deeper ones, which can be explained by the constant input of litter. The greater hydrophobicity of the surface soil sample was due to these non-humic components of the organic matter, as suberin and cutin.

Caivas are remnants areas of Mixed Ombrophylous Forest, whose inferior stratum is composed of native pastures used for animal consume. The aim of this work was to evaluate the structure and floristic  composition of five caivas areas. Plots of one hectare were used. Every individual with DBH ≥ 5 cm were measured and identified. The parameters of density, frequency, dominance, Importance Value (IV) were calculated. These results showed 24 families and 52 species. The families with the higher number of species were Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Aquifoliaceae and Sapindaceae and with the higher number of individuals were Myrtaceae, Araucariaceae, Aquifoliaceae and Lauraceae. The Shannon diversity index value showed high floristic diversity in the caivas and the Sorensen index showed floristic similarity among the five caivas areas. Araucaria angustifolia, Myrcia sp. Ocotea porosa, Cinnamodendron dinisii and Ilex paraguariensis were the five most important species based on Importance Value. The results confirmed that the caivas areas represent an important reservoir of native tree species, although they were being management for a long time.doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.64.303

The objective of this study was to assess variability of Pinus taeda L. growth in function of the soil physical characteristics. The soils data were obtained from a detailed mapping, in the scale 1:10,000, in two areas of the Forest Company – Battistella Florestal, located in the states of Santa Catarina and Parana. Data on forestry growth was collected from continuous forest inventory, obtained from a population growing on an area of 2,252 ha. On a commercial Pinus taeda plantation 28 plots (CFIP) were selected with trees of different growing rate and they were divided in two similar groups of different ages: 12 and 13/14 years. Sites with older trees and soil with greater clay content showed trees with greater annual mean increment. There was a positive correlation among tree wood volume, soil macroporosity and aeration porosity on both soil depths, mainly for sites with trees of 12 years of age. Correlation among tree wood volume and soil microporosity, actual soil moisture and available soil moisture was negative, probably due to slower soil drainage on an area with no drought periods. Soils with similar contentes of clay and sand were more productive. doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.61.37

This is the first register of Pantophthalmus kerteszianus Enderlein e P. chuni Enderlein (Diptera: Pantophthalmidae) attacking parica trees [Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) S. F. Blake var. amazonicum (Huber ex Ducke) Barneby] in Paragominas, Para State, Brazil. Whereas Para State has the largest area with parica plantation in Brazil, there is a risk of these insects become important pests of this crop.

Maytenus ilicifolia (Mart. ex Reiss.) is a medicinal species that occurs naturally on different soils and light conditions. This involves adaptation mechanisms of the natural populations whose chemical characteristics may be genetically determined. This study was developed to determine the influence of the environment in the phytochemical content of M. ilicifolia. The plant samples were collected from four natural communities on distinct geological regions at Parana State and under different light conditions (full sun middle shade and shade). The soils were classified according to the Brazilian Classification System. The specific leaf mass was determined as well the total content of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Si, Al, lignin, total phenols and tannins. This study indicates that M. ilicifolia occurs in an indistinct fertility and hydrological gradient of soils. Also, it was found out that the content of lignin and tannin of M. ilicifolia can be controlled by the light availability.doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.61.01

The main deterrent to the adoption of new species for operational plantations is the availability of  genetically improved seeds in sufficient amount to supply the  market. Therefore, this study was carried out with the objective to estimate genetic parameters for individual selection as a basis to transform the field trial into a seedling seed orchard. The trial contained forty seven half-sib families from five Mexican provenances, including northern and central Mexico sources. These were planted at Ponta Grossa, Paraná State, Brazil, in arandomized complete block design with nine  replications of five-tree linear plots in a 3 m x 3 m spacing. Height, dbh (diameter at breast height) and stem form were assessed in thirteen-year old tree. Variance components were estimated by using SELEGEN-REML/BLUP software. Other procedures included prediction of breeding values and deviance analyses. The significant genetic variation among provenances as well as among and within families in all traits confirmed their high value. The southern Mexico sources showed the highest productivity. The expected progress in  improvement through just one cycle of selection was estimated in 21.6 % in wood volume.doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.62.107

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the discussion on regional and national forest inventories, aiming mainly on aspects of methodos and operational. The Floristic and Forest Inventory of Santa Catarina State (IFFSC) is an initiative of the state government and it was conceived in order to attend requirements of environmental laws. A pilot inventory took place in  2005; then the methodology was fitted to the proposal of the National Forest Inventory (IFN-BR) in discussion at the time. IFFSC is carried out since 2007 in all natural forest formations all over the state’s territory, including floristic sampling (collection of fertile trees, shrubs and herbs within the sample unit and in its surroundings) and survey of vascular epiphytes by specialized crews. The inventory applies a systematic sampling, with sample units containing clusters of four crosswise 1,000 m² plots (20 m x 50 m), distributed systematically at the intersections of a 10 km x 10 km grid all over the state’s territory (a 5 km x 5 km grid is applied on highly fragmentized Seasonal Deciduous Forests). Methodological details and some important operational issues are discussed beyond the four years experience of IFFSC. Major sampling intensity and lower diameter and height thresholds (in the arboreal and regeneration strata) than in the nationwide inventory proposal (IFN-BR), as well as the execution of a floristic survey within and around the sample plots, showed to be important to record plant diversity of Santa Catarina’s forests.doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.64.291

This work evaluates the diameter growth of trees species of artificial gaps per ecological groups in a harvested forest considering two systems of harvest. The study was carried out in the Reserva de Biósfera Yabotí, in Misiones, Argentina. Fifteen permanent plots were established, each one with 4 hectares with effective area of measurement of one hectare. The three treatments were: conventional logging, reduced impact logging and control plot. All trees larger than 10 cm of diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured, before (1998) and after the harvest (2006). Eighty-five species were registered. The average DBH diameter growth for all species was 0.41 cm yr-1 in the gap area, and 0.31 cm yr-1 for the control plot. The average diameter growth was 0.36 cm yr-1 for the reduced impact logging and 0.42 cm yr-1 for the conventional logging. In forests with high diversity, ecological groups are an important tool for the management and conservation. The reduced impact logging would be considered a less aggressive alternative for the forests in this region. doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.64.311

In the quest for recovery of waste generated from forest production to the process of industrial transformation of the biomass it was developed the process of briquetting. The cluster of wood particles facilitates the operations of handling of combustible material in addition to concentrating the available energy in terms of volume. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the raw material affects the quality of the briquette and verify the effect of pressure applied during the mechanical and energy  characteristics of the final product, and to evaluate the behavior of the material mix (MIX) compared to pure materials. The briquettes were produced in a pilot  briquetter, hydraulic piston, 120 °C with a constant pressure of 50 bar for eight minutes and 65, 95 or130 bar for two minutes. Six briquettes were used for each treatment. The characteristics evaluated were calorific value (GCV), bulk density and compressive strength. The raw material has a greater influence on the quality of briquettes than the compaction pressure. The low pressure is the most suitable for Pinus sp forest biomass briquettes. In this, MIX submitted satisfactory quality of briquettes with PCS 4,773 kcal kg-1, density 1220 kg m-³ and compressive strength of 167 kgf cm-2. doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.62.101

Araucaria Forest is considered one of the most important forest formations of Atlantic Forest Biome. Regarding its importance, there is a lack of information  about growth dynamics of its forest species. The present study aimed at to estimate the past growth of selected tree species of Araucaria Forest. Dendrochronological analysis was carried out on non-destructive samples of Araucaria angustifolia, Ocotea porosa, Ilex paraguariensis, Cedrela fissilis, Ocotea puberula and Ocotea pulchella. The average periodic diameter increment until 2006 was approximately 0.5 cm year-1, for A. angustifolia, C. fissilis, O. porosa and O. pulchella. O. puberula and I. paraguariensis presented average periodic diameter increment until 2006 of 0.9 cm year-1 or greater. The  growth rhythm has accelerated since the first decades of last century. It is suggested that this different growth pattern is a consequence of climatic changes throughout the growing period.doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.64.319

The projection of the diameter structure of an Araucaria Forest was performed by the methods ratio movement and transition matrix. Data were collected in 25 permanent plots with an area of one hectare each. These plots were installed and measured in 2002 and re-measured in 2005 and 2008 in an Araucaria forest fragment with 1273 ha located in Irati National Forest, Parana State. All trees with diameter at breast height (dbh) greater than or equal to 10 cm were measured and identified. Based on data from 2002 and 2005 measurements, it was made to the projection of the diameter structure for 2008 using the methods ratio movement and transition matrix, comparing these projections with observed data from remeasurement of 2008 was projected. Regarding mortality and recruitment, the forest presented for the period between re-measurements (2002-2005 and 2005-2008) an average of 30.28 trees ha-1 (1.78% year-1) and 23.64 trees ha-1 (1.39% year-1), respectively. The methods of projection estimated quite close to observed values, and both methods presented a slight underestimation of the total number of trees per hectare, with a small advantage for the ratio movement method with values closest to real. The two methods tested produced satisfactory results on the projection of the diameter structure.doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.64.327

The horizontal structure of the arboreal community under an Araucaria angustifolia stand with 60 years and a Mixed Ombrophyllous Forest in National Forest of Irati, Parana State - Brazil, were compared. In both areas were established permanent plots of 1 ha (100 m x 100 m): 10 plots (10 ha) in the A. angustifolia stand and 25 plots (25 ha) in the natural forest. All of the individuals with dbh above 10 centimeters were identified, numbered and positioned spatiality. The phytosociological parameters and diametric distribution of the two communities were determined and related. In the stand, the species with highest importance and coverage values, when not considering the Araucaria angustifolia trees remnants in plantation were Myrsine umbellata, Psychotria Vellosiana, Cabralea canjerana, Casearia sylvestris, Alchornea triplinervia and Cedrela fissilis, while in the forest were Araucaria angustifolia, Ilex paraguariensis, Ocotea odorifera and Nectandra grandiflora. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test indicated that stand plots were different from the forest in terms of diametric distribuition, besides presenting the lowest variation. In general, the stand species are ahead in an initial successional stage and has limitations for their development. This fact is likely related with the high planting coverage (basal area = 30.2 m² ha-1). doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.64.347

This research was carried out at Parque Estadual do Espinilho, in Barra do Quaraí, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, aiming to characterize the floristic, phytosociological structure and dynamics in Savana Estépica Parque. For such, within a permanent sample unit of 1 ha (100 m x 100 m), were identified and measured all individuals with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 10 cm. The floristic is made up of Prosopis affinis, Prosopis nigra, Acacia caven and Scutia bixiflora, which presented a density of 141 and 145 individuals per hectare in 2001 and 2009. The mean annual increment was 0.027 cm ha-1 year-1, with ingrowth and mortality rates of 0.36% per annum. By the presented results, we may conclude that this vegetation is stagnant.

Grevilea (Grevillea robusta A. Cunn) is a tree species from Australia and was introduced in Brazil in the late 19Th century. New progenies were imported and tested by Embrapa Forestry since the 90s. Currently there is great interest in planting this species in Parana, but so far there is no edafoclimatic or climatic zoning for the species. The criteria that were defined restrictive and favorable to the plantation of grevílea: average annual temperature and annual average temperature of July. The areas most suitable for commercial plantation located in the north, northwest, west and south, warmer areas of the state. The areas recommended are not those of the Plateau de Palmas and Guarapuava and the environment, as well as Union of Victoria and the Upper Iguaçu basin and High Capivari basin. The areas between zones not recommended and preferred áreas are considered tolerated, and are situated along a strip center in the state.doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.61.17

The application of cellulosic waste in forest plantations is an alternative to disposal, but more studies are necessary to confirm the safity of this disposal. The response of Pinus taeda L. to salinity in Humic Distrocryept was evaluated. In plantation, the seedlings were assessed for their height and stem diameter (SD), and at 120 days, were assessed the SD, height, dried root biomass (DRB), shoot (DBS) and total dried matter (TDM). The contents of P, K, Ca, Mg and Na were determinated, and, based on these levels it was estimated the quantity of these elements and calculated the efficiency use in leaves and roots and translocation to the shoot. Except the relationship between DSB/DRB, the other variables were significantly influenced by increased salinity with different effects among them. While the SD and its increase and DSP were reduced only in treatment at the more high electric conductivity (EC), the height of the seedlings and the increment tended to reduce from EC of 3.28 dS m-1 and DRB and TDM from the EC 0.55 dS m-1. The efficiency of P and Mg utilization decreased while K and Ca did not alter. The translocation of nutrients was not altered. doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.61.51  

Drimys brasiliensis Miers, locally know as cataia or casca-d´anta, is a Winteraceae, common in Araucaria Forest, and considered an important species in management and conservation plans. Due to its relevance, it is important to obtain information about its development and growth, which was the main objective of the present work. Non destructive samples were collected from adult trees of Drimys brasiliensis, in a secondary forest, located in Colombo, Parana State, Brazil. It was observed average annual diametric increment of 0.32 cm, and 0.01 m² of average annual transversal area increment.doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.61.79

It is recorded the occurrence of Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé, 2006 (Hemiptera, Thaumastocoridae) in eucalyptus trees in the State of Parana, Brazil. The insect was observed in June at 2009, in Curitiba region.

By reason of legal and environmental constraints, actual restoration of degraded areas has been concentrated mainly in the riparian environment. In spite of protection of the riparian forests by law for almost half century, great part of these forests were degraded as occurred with other natural  formations. In the last decades as government inspection grew along with legal punishments, resulted on an increase of conservation and  restoration of these riparian formations. The perception that it was necessary to improve and round out the available scientific knowledge about the restoration of those areas, stimulated the growth of research in different knowledge areas on riparian forests. Today there are already a lot of scientific knowledge available on several aspects of the physical environment features of the riparian forests, like geomorphology, soils and hydrology, and also about the biological communities, including aspects like plant species composition, phytossociological structure, phenology and dynamics of these vegetations. Also the fauna have been studied. This article presents a succinct methodology used by the Laboratory of Ecology and Forest Restoration (LERF) from University of São Paulo in the restoration of degraded areas.

This study describes the initial measures taken to reconstitute the forest cover in a burned area of Araucaria Forest by means of planting seeds and seedlings of Araucaria angustifolia (parana pine) and Ocotea porosa (imbuia). The study area is located at the Experimental Station of Caçador, in Caçador, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Species were systematically arranged in lines and rows over the experimental area and a spacing of 5 x 5 m between trees belonging to the same species was adopted. There were planted 123 parana-pines and 96 imbuias. Thirty-five trees, which remained after the fire, were also left in the area. Parana-pines were firstly planted by seed, but due to the attack of Cebus apella nigritus on the newly emerged plants, it was necessary to replant them using seedlings. Imbuias were planted using seedlings and some damages due to ants and caterpillars were observed. At the present phase of the research, survival analyses are being performed, as well as the collection of data for a Geographic Information System. Next steps will include sampling of natural regeneration of tree species of economic importance occurring in the same area.

The Araucaria Forest is considered one of the most degraded eco-regions of Latin America. The strong landscape fragmentation has caused habitat loss, isolation of populations and, consequently, genetic impoverishment, extinction of species and loss of biodiversity. In order to improve the situation the landscape must be planned and management activities aiming biodiversity conservation be implanted. One of the strategies used is environmental restoration based on good knowledge of the natural environment, so that more adequate and economically more viable techniques can be defined. This study describes some characteristic environmental situation observed in the Araucaria Forest in the State of Parana which should be considered on applying restoration strategies in the State's different regions.