Crown dynamics of Brazilian pine (Araucaria angustifolia) in Santa Catarina region of Brazil

Abstract

Generatation of models for the management of Araucaria forests in southern Brazil using morphometric relationships with density is still scarce. Changes in the dynamics of the shape and size of trees in the forest indicate the need to regulate the density of trees (silvicultural intervention) or self-adjustment of the species to shape structure, living space, competition, growth rate and resource use. Trees with larger crowns show higher growth rate and their size inform the vital space of growth and support management density of the forest. This information is important to support forest management and can be used to build individual tree growth models. Management models built based on the relationship between forest density and morphometric variables are powerful tools to achieve sustainable yield. Thus, the purpose of this study was to adjust equations to express the diameter, the shape of the crown in function of morphometric/dendrometric variables and to relate the dynamics of the changes in crown surface area and the number of trees per hectare with the diameter and crown surface area. Morphometric and dendrometric data were measured from individual trees in 25 permanent plots located in 84 hectares of a natural forest with predominance of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze species. The diameter at breast height, total height, crown insertion height and four crown radius were measured, including 330 trees. The data were subjected to Pearson correlation analysis and regression conditioners (normality and homogeneity of variance). All the equations proposed in the objectives were generated using generalized linear models (GLM) techniques, which showed accuracy and precision with low values of deviation and Akaike criterion. The results showed that there is interaction between crown shape, density and diameter, indicated by Pearson correlation higher than 0.9. The interactions of crown and density variables identified requirements of silvicultural interventions and the period to perform these activities according to the mean diameter of the forest or to a desired diameter. This is important information for the conservation of the Araucaria Forest structure.