Site classification for Eucalyptus sp. in a tropical region of Brazil.

The aim was to determine the productive capacity of a forest site by applying different methods of fitting, combined with geostatistical techniques, to stands of Eucalyptus sp. in a tropical region of Brazil. Data were collected from 845 plots of a continuous forest inventory over four years. The classification of local production capacity was performed using growth curves obtained by the guide curve (GC) method, algebraic difference approach (ADA) and generalized algebraic difference approach (GADA) methods and ordinary kriging through the spherical, exponential, and Gaussian models to determine the spatial dependence of the variables site, geographical boundaries of site index classes, and their respective areas for each hectare in an annual production unit (APU). The modified Chapman-Richards model, fitted by the generalized difference approach method (GADA), provided the best statistical results, an improvement of 12.23% and 39.80% on the ADA and GC methods, respectively. The exponential model selected to express the spatial distribution of dominant height showed a high degree of spatial dependence.

Additivity of tree biomass components using ratio estimate.

This study deals with the subject biomass estimation. The objective was to achieve the additivity of tree biomass components, which is defined as the compatibility among the component predictions and total tree biomass, using ratio estimates. The biomass estimation model was applied to black wattle trees in forest stands, which include a sample of 670 trees in an age range of 1 to 10.75 years. The adjusted model, in which the total biomass, or sum of predicted components, is a function of the stem volume multiplied by the Scalar Coefficients Proxy of Density, proved to be of great interest for biomass estimation and consistent when compared to the results obtained by WNSUR estimates (traditional method). The natural additivity of the tree biomass components was fully achieved, when modeling them by means of ratio estimation. Equations developed from the proportional behavior of the biomass components at different ages did not require the use of linear regression models and were obtained from calibration with the experimental data. The estimators resulting from these equations proved to be appropriate to make a generic model for correction of ratios coefficients at different ages.

Selection criteria for linear regression models to estimate individual tree biomasses in the Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Biomass models are useful for several purposes, especially for quantifying carbon stocks and dynamics in forests. Selecting appropriate equations from a fitted model is a process which can involves several criteria, some widely used and others used to a lesser extent. This study analyzes six selection criteria for models fitted to six sets of individual biomass collected from woody indigenous species of the Tropical Atlantic Rain Forest in Brazil. Six models were examined and the respective fitted equations evaluated by the residual sum of squares, adjusted coefficient of determination, absolute and relative estimates of the standard error of estimate, and Akaike and Schwartz (Bayesian) information criteria. The aim of this study was to analyze the numeric behavior of these model selection criteria and discuss the ease of interpretation of them. The importance of residual analysis in model selection is stressed. RESULTS: The adjusted coefficient of determination ([Formula: see text]) and the standard error of estimate in percentage (Syx%) are relative model selection criteria and are not affected by sample size and scale of the response variable. The sum of squared residuals (SSR), the absolute standard error of estimate (Syx), the Akaike information criterion and the Schwartz information criterion, in turn, depend on these quantities. The best fit model was always the same within a given data set regardless the model selection criteria considered (except for SSR in two cases), indicating they tend to converge to a common result. However, such criteria are not always closely related across different data sets. General model selection criteria are indicative of the average goodness of fit, but do not capture bias and outlier effects. Graphical residual analysis is a useful tool to this detection and must always be used in model selection. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the criteria for model selection tend to lead to a common result, regardless their mathematical formulation and statistical significance. Relative measures of goodness of fitting are easier to interpret than the absolute ones. Careful graphical residual analysis must always be used to confirm the performance of the models.

Dynamics of solar radiation and soybean yield in agroforestry systems.

Soybean (Glycine max L.) monocropping have had a great socio-economic and environmental impact on the world and agroforestry systems has been considered an alternative for more sustainable production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different arrangements of agroforestry systems of the species E. urophylla x E. grandis and P. dubium and the pruning of the trees on the dynamics of solar radiation and soybean yield. A field experiment was conducted in Southern Brazil. In order to achieve the objective of the study, the solar radiation transmissivity and the productive performance of the soybean were evaluated. In this study, the soybean yield was determined by the arrangement of the agroforestry system and forest species utilized. The soybean crop cultivated in the understory of the P. dubium trees showed the highest yield response. The use of silvicultural practices for the management of forest species should be considered to generate the balance of the productive system. In this context, tree pruning is a viable side for agroforestry systems, as it promotes an increase in the incidence of solar radiation in the understory, resulting in an increase in soybean yield, especially when integrated with P. dubium.

Growth of tree species and sugarcane production in agroforestry systems.

The appropriate choice of tree species and planting arrangement for use in agroforestry systems is very important in order to maximize productivity and sustainability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth of five tree species and its effect on sugarcane yields in different planting arrays in agroforestry systems. The study was conducted from 2007 to 2011 in the city of Frederico Westphalen, RS, Brazil. The five studied tree species were: guapuruvu (Schizolobium parahybae), bracatinga (Mimosa scabrella), canafístula (Peltophorum dubium), angico-vermelho (Parapiptadenia rigida) and eucalypt (Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake x Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden). Root collar diameter, diameter at breast height, plant height and mean diameter of crown were evaluated for four years with an interval of 90 days between assessments. Yield data for sugarcane were collected in June 2009, 2010, and 2011. Eucalypt presented the greatest root collar diameter values, diameter at breast height, crown development, and plant height. Angico-vermelho, canafístula and eucalypt presented a higher growth in the strip system, while guapuruvu presented the greater growth in the line system. Bracatinga was not influenced by an arrangement in the agroforestry systems. Sugarcane presented greater production in the understory of angico and bracatinga.

Critical analyses when modeling tree biomass to ensure additivity of its components.

It is presented the theme additivity of biomass of tree components. To evaluate and discuss this context, experimental information collected in forests of Acacia mearnsii De Wild. was used. Equations for components (stem and crown) and total biomass were fitted by means of two procedures: 1) generalized nonlinear least squares and 2) weighted-nonlinear seemingly unrelated regressions. Analyzing the performance of the estimators, it can be concluded that the two tested procedures are equivalent. On the other hand, this conclusion differs when evaluated the consistency and efficiency of the estimators. Fitting equations for the components and for the total biomass by an independent way is not realistic, because from a biological point of view the estimates of biomass are inconsistent, i.e., are not additive. The biomass estimates of the components and of the total, resulting from equations adjusted by means of systems of equations, provided narrower confidence intervals in relation to the equations adjusted independently, and is therefore more efficient. The second procedure presents better biological properties and statistics to estimate allometric equations for biomass of the components and for the total when compared with the independent estimation, thus it should be the method to be used.

Ground level photosynthetically active radiation dynamics in stands of Acacia mearnsii De Wild.

The objective is to study the dynamics of photosynthetic radiation reaching the soil surface in stands of Acacia mearnsii De Wild and its influence on height growth in stands. This fact gives rise to the formulation of the following hypothesis for this study: "The reduction of the incidence of light inside the stand of black wattle will cause the inflection point in its height growth when this reaches 4 to 5 m in height, i.e. when the stand is between 2 and 3 years of age". The study was conducted in stands in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, where diameters at breast height, total height and photosynthetically active radiation available at ground level were measured. The frequency tended to be more intense when the age of the stands increases. It was evident that a reduction of light incidence inside the forest occurred, caused by canopy closure. Consequently, closed canopy propitiated the competition of plants. This has affected the conditions for growth in diameter and height of this species, reason why it becomes possible to conceive the occurrence of an inflection point in the growth of these two variables, confirming the formulated hypothesis.

Comparison of data mining and allometric model in estimation of tree biomass.

BACKGROUND: The traditional method used to estimate tree biomass is allometry. In this method, models are tested and equations fitted by regression usually applying ordinary least squares, though other analogous methods are also used for this purpose. Due to the nature of tree biomass data, the assumptions of regression are not always accomplished, bringing uncertainties to the inferences. This article demonstrates that the Data Mining (DM) technique can be used as an alternative to traditional regression approach to estimate tree biomass in the Atlantic Forest, providing better results than allometry, and demonstrating simplicity, versatility and flexibility to apply to a wide range of conditions. RESULTS: Various DM approaches were examined regarding distance, number of neighbors and weighting, by using 180 trees coming from environmental restoration plantations in the Atlantic Forest biome. The best results were attained using the Chebishev distance, 1/d weighting and 5 neighbors. Increasing number of neighbors did not improve estimates. We also analyze the effect of the size of data set and number of variables in the results. The complete data set and the maximum number of predicting variables provided the best fitting. We compare DM to Schumacher-Hall model and the results showed a gain of up to 16.5% in reduction of the standard error of estimate. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that Data Mining can provide accurate estimates of tree biomass and can be successfully used for this purpose in environmental restoration plantations in the Atlantic Forest. This technique provides lower standard error of estimate than the Schumacher-Hall model and has the advantage of not requiring some statistical assumptions as do the regression models. Flexibility, versatility and simplicity are attributes of DM that corroborates its great potential for similar applications.

Produtividade energética de espécies florestais em plantios de curta rotação / Energy productivity of forest species in short rotation plantings

This study aimed to determine the energy productivity of the different compartments of above ground biomass of forest species: Acacia mearnsii De Wild, Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, Mimosa scabrella Benth and Ateleia glazioviana Baill distributed in different spacing in planting: 2.0x1.0m, 2.0x1.5m, 3.0x1.0m and 3.0x1.5m, at ages of 1 and 3 years. The study was conducted in an experiment in the city of Frederico Westphalen-RS, in experimental design of randomized complete block with three replications. The determination of the energy productivity was carried out through the measurement of values of above ground biomass and power calorific value of each compartment. The different planting spacings induced different yields of biomass energy, and it was found a systematic negative trend in relation to the living space provided by lower planting space. The energy productivity achieved in the third year for all species, were higher than those of the first year. The species Eucalyptus grandis presented the greatest potential for energy productivity of wood and for the other species, equivalent to twice the Acacia mearnsii, the denser spacing (2.0x1.0m).

Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar a produtividade energética dos diferentes compartimentos da biomassa da parte aérea das espécies florestais Acacia mearnsii De Wild, Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, Mimosa scabrella Benth e Ateleia glazioviana Baill distribuídas em diferentes espaçamentos em plantio: 2,0x1,0m; 2,0x1,5m; 3,0x1,0m e 3,0x1,5m, nas idades de 1 e 3 anos. O estudo foi conduzido em um experimento localizado no município de Frederico Westphalen-RS, em delineamento experimental de blocos completos casualizados em três repetições. A determinação da produtividade energética foi realizada a partir da mensuração dos valores de biomassa da parte aérea e do poder calorífico superior de cada compartimento. Os diferentes espaçamentos de plantio induzem a diferentes produtividades energéticas, sendo verificada uma tendência sistemática negativa em relação ao espaço vital proporcionado pelos menores espaçamentos de plantio. As produtividades energéticas obtidas no terceiro ano, para todas as espécies, foram superiores às do primeiro ano. A espécie Eucalyptus grandis apresentou a maior potencialidade de produtividade energética de madeira em relação às outras espécies, equivalente a duas vezes a Acacia mearnsii, no espaçamento mais adensado (2,0x1,0m).

A model based on environmental factors for diameter distribution in black wattle in Brazil.

This article discusses the dynamics of a diameter distribution in stands of black wattle throughout its growth cycle using the Weibull probability density function. Moreover, the parameters of this distribution were related to environmental variables from meteorological data and surface soil horizon with the aim of finding a model for diameter distribution which their coefficients were related to the environmental variables. We found that the diameter distribution of the stand changes only slightly over time and that the estimators of the Weibull function are correlated with various environmental variables, with accumulated rainfall foremost among them. Thus, a model was obtained in which the estimators of the Weibull function are dependent on rainfall. Such a function can have important applications, such as in simulating growth potential in regions where historical growth data is lacking, as well as the behavior of the stand under different environmental conditions. The model can also be used to project growth in diameter, based on the rainfall affecting the forest over a certain time period.

Ponto de amostragem ao longo do fuste para estimativa do poder calorífico da madeira / Point of sampling along the shaft for estimate of the calorific power of the wood

Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a variação do poder calorífico superior (PCS) ao longo do fuste das espécies florestais Acacia mearnsii De Wild, Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill, Mimosa scabrella Benth. e Ateleia glazioveana Baill e também avaliar o número e as posições das amostras ao longo do fuste para a estimativa do PCS dessas espécies. Para tanto, foram retirados discos de aproximadamente dois centímetros de espessura, ao longo de 0 %, 25 %, 50 % e 75 % da altura total de árvores com um ano de idade para determinação do PCS em bomba calorimétrica (C5000, IKA WORKS). Para Eucalyptus grandis e Ateleia glazioveana, é possível estimar o PCS a partir de um disco, respectivamente, nas posições 50% e 0% da altura total, para Mimosa scabrella em dois discos, nas posições 0+75% e para Acacia mearnsii em três discos, nas posições 0+25+75% da altura total.

This research had the objective of studing the variation of the calorific power along the shaft of the species forest Acacia mearnsii de Wild, Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill, Mimosa scabrella Benth. and Ateleia glazioveana Baill and also to evaluate the number and the positions of the samples along the shaft for the estimate of calorific power of these species. For so much, they were solitary disks of approximately two centimeters of thickness, along 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% of the total height of trees, with a year of age, for determination of the power calorific superior in calorimeter (C5000, IKA WORKS). For the Eucalyptus grandis and the Ateleia glazioveana it is possible to esteem the power calorific superior starting from a disk, respectively in the positions 50% and 0%, and for the Mimosa scabrella with two disks, in the positions 0+75% and for the Acacia mearnsii, three disks, in the positions 0+25+75%.

Interceptação da radiação luminosa pelo dossel de espécies florestais e sua relação com o manejo das plantas daninhas / Interception of radiation by the canopy of forest species and its relationship with the weed control requirement

A energia da radiação solar absorvida pelas plantas é fator determinante da taxa fotossintética e pode limitar a produção, o acúmulo de biomassa e o desenvolvimento das plantas. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a interceptação da radiação luminosa e sua relação com a necessidade de manejo de plantas daninhas através de coroamento e roçada, nas espécies florestais: Acacia mearnsii De Wild, Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, Mimosa scabrella Benth e Ateleia glazioviana Baill, nos espaçamentos: 2,0x1,0m; 2,0x1,5m; 3,0x1,0m e 3,0x1,5m. A medição da radiação luminosa foi realizada mensalmente durante o período de 0 a 360 dias após o plantio. Os pontos de amostragens foram entre as plantas na linha e na entre-linha de plantio. O coroamento e a roçada não foram necessários quando os níveis de interceptação de radiação fotossinteticamente ativa foram maiores que 60 por cento. Porém, tornaram-se necessários a partir do segundo mês após o plantio e com frequência de 60 dias para todas as espécies até os primeiros 180 dias. O coroamento foi dispensado para a espécie E. grandis a partir dos 210 dias e para A. mearnsii e M. scabrella após os 240 dias após o transplante. A roçada foi dispensada somente para a espécie E. grandis nos espaçamentos 2,0x1,0m e 2,0x1,5m a partir dos 210 e 240 dias após o plantio, respectivamente.

The energy of solar radiation absorbed by the plants is a decisive factor of the photosynthesis tax and it can limit the production, the biomass accumulation and the development of the plants. The objective of the research was to evaluate the interception of the luminous radiation and her relationship with the need of handling undesirable plants through crowning and mowing, in the forest species: Acacia mearnsii De Wild, Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, Mimosa scabrella Benth e Ateleia glazioviana Baill, submitted at levels spacing: 2,0x1,0m; 2,0x1,5m; 3,0x1,0m and 3,0x1,5m. The measurement of the luminous radiation was accomplished monthly during the period from 0 to 360 days after the planting. The points of samplings were among the plants in the line and in the planting among-line. The crowning and mowing were not necessary when the levels of interception of radiation photosynthesis activate were larger than 60 percent. However, they became necessary starting from the second month after the planting and with a frequency of 60 days for all the species until the first 180 days. The crowning was spared for the species E. grandis starting from the 210 days and for A. mearnsii and M. scabrella after the 240 days after the transplant. Cleared was given only for the species E. grandis in the spacings 2,0x1,0m and 2,0x1,5m starting from the 210 and 240 days after the planting, respectively.

Resistência de espécies arbóreas submetidas a extremos climáticos de geada em diferentes sistemas agroflorestais / Resistance of arboreal species submitted to extreme frost in different agroforestry systems

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a resposta das espécies arbóreas Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Blake (guapuruvu), Mimosa scabrella Benth. (bracatinga), Peltophorum dubium (Spr.) Taubert (canafístula), Parapiptadenia rigida (Benth.) Brenan (angico-vermelho) e o híbrido Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake x Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden (eucalipto) em consórcio com a cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.) em dois arranjos de sistemas agroflorestais (faixa - 3x3m + 12m e linha - 6x1,5m) submetidos a extremos climáticos de geada, na região Noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul. Os danos (resistência á geada) foram avaliados segundo o sistema de notas utilizado por HIGA et al. (2000) no qual atribuiu-se uma nota de 0 a 10 conforme a intensidade do dano na planta. Para os graus de resistência à geada, adaptou-se metodologia utilizada por CARVALHO (1981), a qual também é em função da intensidade do dano na planta. Diante da condição de geada estudada, observa-se que os diferentes arranjos de sistemas agroflorestais afetam a resistência da espécie guapuruvu, sendo sensível no sistema agroflorestal faixa e moderadamente tolerante no sistema linha. Em ambos os sistemas, as espécies angico-vermelho, bracatinga e eucalipto mostram-se resistentes, enquanto que a canafístula demonstra ser tolerante.

The present research had the aim to evaluate the answers of the arboreal species Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Blake (guapuruvu), Mimosa scabrella Benth. (bracatinga), Peltophorum dubium (Spr.) Taubert (canafístula), Parapiptadenia rigida (Benth.) Brenan (angico-vermelho) and the hybrid Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake x Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden (eucalipto) in consortium with sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) in two agroforestry arrangement systems (strip - 3x3m + 12m and line - 6x1,5m) submitted to climatic extreme frost conditions, in the Northwest of Rio Grande do Sul. The damages (resistance to frost) were appraised according to the system of notes used by HIGA et al. (2000) in which a note from 0 to 10 was attributed according to the intensity of the damage to the plant. For the resistance degrees to frost, it was adapted the methodology used by CARVALHO (1981), which is also in function of the intensity of the damage to the plant. Upon the frost condition studied, it was observed that the results demonstrated that different of agroforest system arrangements damaged the resistance of the guapuruvu specie, being sensitive in the agroforest system strip and moderatelly tolerant in the system line. In both systems, the species angico-vermelho, bracatinga e eucalipto showed resistance, while the canafístula demonstrated to be tolerant.

Resistência inicial de quatro espécies arbóreas em diferentes espaçamentos após ocorrência de geada / Initial resistance of four arboreal species in different spacing after frost occurrence

A ocorrência de geada, dependendo do grau de dano, pode se tornar um fator limitante para a condução de florestas de curta rotação. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o comportamento após ocorrências de geadas das espécies florestais Acacia mearnsii De Wild, Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, Mimosa scabrella Benth e Ateleia glazioveana Baill submetidas a níveis de espaçamento de 2,0x1,0m; 2,0x1,5m; 3,0x1,0 e 3,0x1,5m um ano após o plantio, na região Norte do Rio Grande do Sul. Os danos (resistência a geada) foram avaliados segundo o sistema de notas de 0 a 10, conforme a intensidade do dano na planta. Os graus de resistência à geada foram determinados em função da intensidade do dano na planta. Os níveis de espaçamento estudados não afetaram respostas das espécies em relação ao dano ocasionado por geada. A espécie Mimosa scabrella apresentou ser resistente, enquanto que Eucalyptus grandis e Ateleia glazioveana, tolerantes. Já a Acacia mearnsii apresentou ser moderadamente tolerante a tolerante.

The frost occurrence depending on the damage degree, can become a limit factor for the transport of forests of short rotation. The present research has as objective evaluate the behavior after occurrences of frosts of the species forest Acacia mearnsii De Wild, Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, Mimosa scabrella Benth and Ateleia glazioveana Baill were submitted to levels of spacing of 2.0 x 1.0m; 2.0x1.5m; 3.0x1.0m and 3.0x1.5m one year after the planting, in the North of Rio Grande do Sul. The damages (resistance to frost) were appraised according to scale 0 to 10 according to the intensity of the damage in the plant. The frost resistance degrees were certain in function of the intensity of the damage in the plant. The spacing levels studied didn't affect the species answers in relation to the damage caused by frost. The species Mimosa scabrella presented to be resistant, while Eucalyptus grandis and Ateleia glazioveana tolerant. Already the Acacia mearnsii was moderately tolerant to tolerant.