Global review and state-of-the-art of biomass and carbon stock in the Amazon.

Understanding how studies have been carried out in the region helps to understand the Amazon rainforest potential in mitigating climate change. In addition, evaluating scientific production is essential to verify the main methods and places researched. Thus, this study objective was to build an overview and identify the main gaps regarding research related to biomass and carbon stocks with the coverage limit of the Amazon rainforest. Therefore, an analysis of the publications indexed in the Scopus database was developed until 2020, performing a bibliometric analysis and a systematic and state-of-the-art review. Initially 2042 publications were obtained, of which 786 met the inclusion criteria. The first work indexed in the Scopus database related to the theme was published in 1982. Over time, it was possible to observe an increasing behavior in relation to the interest in the theme. Natural environments were the most researched and change in the land use and occupation of the Amazon Rainforest is still poorly evaluated. Brazil is the country with the highest number of studies, followed by Peru and Colombia. Guyana and Suriname appear as possible scientific gaps and potential environments to be studied. Studies preferentially explore the biomass carbon, with the soil being little evaluated when compared to the total amount of papers found. When observing only the biomass studies, the aboveground biomass is the most evaluated, while the roots and necromass are little studied. The main variables used in biomass equations were diameter at 1.3 m above ground and total tree height. The biomass to carbon conversion factor has been widely used, but it can generate unreliable results. It is recommended to carry out local assessments of the carbon content, especially using the dry combustion method, which generates less waste, with more precise results and shorter execution time of the analyses. Such assessments present values for the location that can avoid false or misinterpretations of the biomass and carbon stocks in the Amazon Rainforest.

Evaluation of forest inventory processes in a forest under concession in the southwestern Brazilian Amazon / Avaliação de processos de inventário florestal em uma floresta sob concessão na Amazônia brasileira

Forest inventory procedures are of utmost importance to studies of wood volume stocks, and forest structure and diversity, which provide relevant information to public policies, management plans and ecological research. The present work focused on the performance of inventory techniques in the Amazon region to evaluate wood volume stocks with higher levels of accuracy while maintaining sampling intensity fixed. Two sampling processes were assessed: simple random sampling and two-stage cluster sampling. The processes were evaluated through the allocation of sampling units with different dimensions, and the effectiveness of the generated estimators was analyzed as a function of stand density and basal area. Simple random sampling resulted in the smallest errors, reaching 9% when all species were sampled together. The method depicted forest phytosociological parameters with greater sensitivity, whereas two-stage cluster sampling produced the least accurate estimators and presented slower responses to variation in phytosociological parameters. (AU)

O procedimento de inventário florestal é considerado de alta importância no que concerne estudos de estoque madeireiro, estrutura e diversidade florestal, que fornecem informações relevantes para políticas públicas, planos de manejo e pesquisas ecológicas. O presente trabalho buscou avaliar o desempenho de técnicas de inventário na região Amazônica para estimativa de estoques madeireiros com maior nível de acurácia, mantendo a intensidade amostral fixa. Dois processos de amostragem foram avaliados: amostragem aleatória simples e amostragem em dois estágios. Esses processos foram avaliados através de alocação de unidades amostrais com dimensões distintas, e os estimadores gerados foram analisados em função da densidade de árvores e da área basal. A amostragem aleatória simples produziu os menores erros, alcançando 9% quando todas as espécies foram amostradas conjuntamente, e mostrou-se mais eficiente na detecção de variações em parâmetros fitossociológicos. A amostragem em dois estágios produziu os estimadores menos acurados e apresentou respostas mais lentas às variações em parâmetros fitossociológicos.(AU)

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 carbon and CO2 removals by Brazilian forest plantations during 1990-2016.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the dynamics of carbon (C) stocks and CO2 removals by Brazilian forest plantations over the period 1990-2016. Data on the extent of forests compiled from various sources were used in the calculations. Productivities were simulated using species-specific growth and yield simulators for the main trees species planted in the country. Biomass expansion factors, root-to-shoot ratios, wood densities, and carbon fractions compiled from literature were applied. C stocks in necromass (deadwood and litter) and harvested wood products (HWP) were also included in the calculations. RESULTS: Plantation forests stocked 231 Mt C in 1990 increasing to 612 Mt C in 2016 due to an increase in plantation area and higher productivity of the stands during the 26-year period. Eucalyptus contributed 58% of the C stock in 1990 and 71% in 2016 due to a remarkable increase in plantation area and productivity. Pinus reduced its proportion of the carbon storage due to its low growth in area, while the other species shared less than 6% of the C stocks during the period of study. Aboveground biomass, belowground biomass and necromass shared 71, 12, and 5% of the total C stocked in plantations in 2016, respectively. HWP stocked 76 Mt C in the period, which represents 12% of the total C stocked. Carbon dioxide removals by Brazilian forest plantations during the 26-year period totaled 1669 Gt CO2-e. CONCLUSIONS: The carbon dioxide removed by Brazilian forest plantations over the 26 years represent almost the totality of the country´s emissions from the waste sector within the same period, or from the agriculture, forestry and other land use sector in 2016. We concluded that forest plantations play an important role in mitigating GHG (greenhouse gases) emissions in Brazil. This study is helpful to improve national reporting on plantation forests and their GHG sequestration potential, and to achieve Brazil's Nationally Determined Contribution and the Paris Agreement.

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.

Biomass and carbon stock from Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis under homogenous stands in southwest Bahia, Brazil / Estoques de biomassa e carbono de Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis em plantio homogêneo no Sudoeste da Bahia

ABSTRACT: There is a large number of studies evaluating methods to quantify biomass for the genus Pinus in different regions of Brazil. However, knowledge about this subject in the Northeast region of Brazil is still incipient. The objective of the present study was to assess the biomass and carbon stocks and select mathematical models to estimate these variables in Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis , which is established in homogenous stands in the Southwest region of the state of Bahia (Brazil). The biomass was quantified using the destructive method. Samples of needles, bole, bark, and branches were analyzed to determine their carbon contents. Ten models were tested, and the best of them were chosen based on the following statistical indicators: adjusted determination coefficient, estimate standard error, maximum likelihood logarithm, and graphical analysis of waste. Values for total biomass and carbon stocks were 69 and 42Mg ha-1, respectively. Curtis and Schumacher-Hall Log models showed to be the most indicated to estimate the total dry biomass and carbon of the species under the conditions studied.

RESUMO: Embora haja um grande número de estudos avaliando métodos para quantificar biomassa para o gênero Pinus em diferentes regiões do Brasil, o conhecimento sobre o tema na região Nordeste do país ainda é incipiente. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os estoques de biomassa e carbono e selecionar modelos matemáticos para estimar essas variáveis em Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis , que está estabelecido em plantio homogêneo na região Sudoeste da Bahia. A quantificação da biomassa foi realizada empregando o método destrutivo. Amostras de acículas, fuste, casca e galhos foram analisadas para determinar os teores de carbono. Dez modelos foram testados e a escolha dos melhores modelos foi baseada nos indicadores estatísticos: coeficiente de determinação ajustado, erro padrão da estimativa, logaritmo da máxima verossimilhança e análise gráfica dos resíduos. Os valores de estoques de biomassa total e carbono foram de 69 e 42Mg ha-1, respectivamente. Os modelos de Curtis e Schumacher-Hall Log mostraram ser os mais indicados para as estimativas de biomassa seca total e carbono da espécie nas condições estudadas.

Methodological alternatives in the estimate of biomass for young individuals of Bambusa spp / Alternativas metodológicas para estimativa de biomassa de indivíduos jovens de Bambusa spp

The objective of this work was to evaluate the distribution of biomass in compartments, as well as to test and select methods to estimate total biomass for species of Bambusa. For the test of the methods were evaluated: method of estimation from allometric models (total and by compartments), application of allometric equation from literature and method that uses the volume, the density and biomass expansion factor (BEF). Were evaluated using the destructive method, 24 bamboos of the species Bambusa oldhamii Munro and Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex J. C. Wendl. For the estimation of biomass, were adjusted 5 models for the selection of the best one and the BEF calculated through the values of volume and density. These methodologies were compared among themselves and with the real biomass. The relationship of increased strength of independent variables with dried biomass measured was with dbh. In the adjustment of mathematical models, the best model was the 5 for the total biomass, model 1 for leaf and culm, and the model 3 for the limb. Of the three methodologies for estimating total biomass, the method of Biomass Expansion Factor demonstrated greater accuracy in estimates, being indicated, therefore, the potential use of this methodology.

Esse trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a distribuição da biomassa nos compartimentos, bem como, testar e selecionar métodos para estimativa de biomassa total para o gênero Bambusa. Para o teste dos métodos foram avaliados: método da estimativa a partir de modelos alométricos, aplicação de equação alométrica obtida por literatura e método que utiliza o volume, a densidade e o fator de expansão da biomassa (FEB). Foram avaliados, utilizando o método destrutivo, 24 bambus das espécies Bambusa oldhamii Munro e Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex J. C. Wendl. Para a estimativa de biomassa, foram ajustados 5 modelos para a seleção do melhor e calculado o FEB através dos valores de volume e densidade, metodologias estas comparadas entre si e com a biomassa real. A relação de maior força das variáveis independentes com as biomassas secas mensuradas se deu com o dap. No ajuste dos modelos matemáticos, o melhor modelo foi o 5 para o compartimento total, modelo 1 para folhagem e colmo, e o modelo 3 para os galhos. Das três metodologias de estimativa da biomassa total, o método do Fator de Expansão da Biomassa demonstrou maior acurácia nas estimativas, sendo indicada, portanto, a potencial utilização dessa metodologia.

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.

On the use of data mining for estimating carbon storage in the trees.

Forests contribute to climate change mitigation by storing carbon in tree biomass. The amount of carbon stored in this carbon pool is estimated by using either allometric equations or biomass expansion factors. Both of the methods provide estimate of the carbon stock based on the biometric parameters of a model tree. This study calls attention to the potential advantages of the data mining technique known as instance-based classification, which is not used currently for this purpose. The analysis of the data on the carbon storage in 30 trees of Brazilian pine (Araucaria angustifolia) shows that the instance-based classification provides as relevant estimates as the conventional methods do. The coefficient of correlation between the estimated and measured values of carbon storage in tree biomass does not vary significantly with the choice of the method. The use of some other measures of method performance leads to the same result. In contrast to the convention methods the instance-based classification does not presume any specific form of the function relating carbon storage to the biometric parameters of the tree. Since the best form of such function is difficult to find, the instance-based classification could outperform the conventional methods in some cases, or simply get rid of the questions about the choice of the allometric equations.

Bioautography to assess antibacterial activity of Ottonia martiana Miq. (Piperaceae) on the human oral microbiota

Ottonia martiana Miq. (Piperaceae), planta conhecida popularmente por "anestésia" e empregada no tratamento de odontalgias devido à sua ação anestésica sobre a mucosa oral, foi investigada por meio de ensaios antibacterianos de difusão em disco de papel e de bioautografia frente a microorganismos presentes na microbiota oral humana [Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), Streptococcus mitis (ATCC 49456), Streptococcus pyogenes (ATCC 19615), Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC 25975), Escherichia coli (ATCC 11229 e 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Enterobacter aerogenes (ATCC 27853). Os resultados dos bioensaios mostraram que o extrato bruto de O. martiana (32.9 mg mL-1) apresenta potencial antibacteriano frente às bactérias Gram-positivas testadas. Dentre as substâncias bioativas detectadas foram identificadas a piperovatina (Rf 0.35), piperlonguminina (Rf 0.52) e a isopiperlonguminina (Rf 0.52). A piperovatina e isopiperlonguminina foram isoladadas do extrato das raízes de O. martiana, guiadas pelo teste de bioautografia.

Ottonia martiana Miq. (Piperaceae), a plant known popularly in southern Brazil as "anestésia" and used in the treatment of odontalgia for its anesthetic action on the oral mucosa, was investigated for antibacterial activity by paper disc agar diffusion and bioautographic methods, against microorganisms present in the human oral cavity [Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), Streptococcus mitis (ATCC 49456), Streptococcus pyogenes (ATCC 19615), Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC 25975), Escherichia coli (ATCC 11229 and 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Enterobacter aerogenes (ATCC 27853).The crude extract of O. martiana (32.9 mg mL-1) had antibacterial potential against all Gram-positive bacteria tested. Analysis of the bioautograms led to the detection of bioactive substances, among which it was possible to identify piperovatine (Rf 0.35), piperlonguminine (Rf 0.52) and isopiperlonguminine (Rf 0.52). The piperovatine and isopiperlonguminine were isolated from the roots of O. martiana, guided by a bioautographic antibacterial bioassay.

Simulação de estratégias de manejo florestal na Amazônia com o uso do modelo SYMFOR / Simulation of forest management strategies in the Amazon using the SYMFOR model

O modelo SYMFOR foi utilizado para simular os processos ecológicos de crescimento, mortalidade e recrutamento e o manejo de uma floresta de terra firme na Amazônia Oriental. Na simulação foram utilizadas todas as árvores com DAP ≥ 5 cm, medidas em 40 parcelas permanentes de 1,0 ha, sendo 36 exploradas e quatro não exploradas. As parcelas foram medidas em 1984, exploradas em 1985 e remedidas em 1986, 1988, 1990, 1994, 1996 e 2004. Usaram-se dez grupos de espécies para descrever os processos naturais e o comportamento de cada árvore. Na avaliação do desempenho do modelo, os resultados da simulação foram comparados com os dados reais que descrevem a recuperação da floresta dezenove anos após a exploração. Os tratamentos, combinações de intensidades de exploração (15 por cento, 25 por cento e 35 por cento do volume total das árvores com DAP > 60 cm) com intensidades de desbastes (0 por cento, 30 por cento, 50 por cento e 70 por cento da área basal original), foram analisados como estratégias de manejo. O modelo foi aplicado também para simular o manejo florestal atualmente praticado na Amazônia, com extração de 30 m³ ha-1 e com um ciclo de corte de 30 anos. Resultados mostram que a semelhança entre os dados observados e simulados pelo SYMFOR validou o modelo para representar a dinâmica da floresta não explorada. Na simulação das práticas atuais de manejos aplicados na floresta amazônica, sugere-se que os benefícios financeiros diminuem com as sucessivas colheitas e, conseqüentemente, o rendimento de volume de madeira não é sustentável.

The SYMFOR model was used to simulate the ecological processes of tree growth, mortality and recruitment, and the forest management processes, in the terra firme forests of the eastern Amazon. The simulation utilized all the trees that have a diameter greater than 5 cm, from 40 permanent sample plots of 1 ha each (36 logged and 4 unlogged). The stand was measured in 1984, logged in 1985 and remeasured in 1986, 1988, 1990, 1994, 1996 and 2004. Ten species groups are used to describe the natural processes affecting tree behavior. Model performance compares the simulation results with real data describing the forest recovery for 19 years following logging. The treatments, combinations of logging intensities (15 percent, 25 percent and 35 percent of the total volume of the trees higher than 60 cm of DBH had been tested) and thinning intensities (0 percent, 30 percent, 50 percent and 70 percent of the original basal area) were analyzed as management strategies. The model was applied to simulate current forest management practice in the Brazilian Amazon, with 30 m³ ha−1 of timber extracted with a cutting cycle of 30 years. Results show that the similarity among observed and simulated data for SYMFOR validated the model to represent the dynamics of the unlogged forest. In the simulation of the current management practice applied in the Amazon forest, it is suggested that the financial benefits decrease with successive harvests and, consequently, the timber volume cannot be sustained.

Predição da distribuição diamétrica de uma floresta manejada experimentalmente através de um Sistema de Equações Diferenciais / Diametric distribution prediction of an experimentally managed forest through a differential equation system

Este estudo teve como objetivo principal projetar a distribuição diamétrica da floresta manejada através de um sistema de equações diferenciais de primeira ordem, ajustado para cada tratamento. Os dados básicos foram obtidos no Projeto Bom Manejo (Embrapa Amazônia Oriental/CIFOR/ITTO), na Companhia Florestal Monte Dourado (Jarí), Vitória do Jarí - AP. O delineamento é em blocos ao acaso com três repetições. Os tratamentos são combinações de intensidades de exploração (15 por cento, 25 por cento e 35 por cento do volume total das árvores com mais de 60 cm de DAP) com intensidades de desbastes (0 por cento, 30 por cento, 50 por cento e 70 por cento da área basal original). Utilizou-se como controle a floresta não explorada. Na área experimental estão locadas 40 parcelas permanentes de 1,0 ha cada, sendo 36 exploradas e quatro não exploradas. O povoamento foi medido em 1984, explorado em 1985 e remedido em 1986, 1988, 1990, 1994, 1996 e 2004. Foram medidas todas as árvores com DAP ≥ 20 cm. Conquanto esse sistema de equações mantenha a simplicidade de abordagem do problema inerente aos modelos baseados em matrizes de transição, também apresenta sobre estes últimos a vantagem adicional de permitir a obtenção dos valores das variáveis de estado do sistema para qualquer ponto no tempo, não se restringindo a intervalos múltiplos do intervalo original usado na derivação da matriz de transição. Assim, o método foi constatado para diferentes períodos de avaliações e os resultados mostraram que nem os períodos de projeções mais longos (ponto de equilíbrio) serão suficientes para restaurar as condições iniciais do povoamento.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of the diameter structure of an experimentally managed forest, utilizing a system of differential equations of the first order, adjusted for each treatment. The basic data were obtained from the Bom Manejo Projet (Embrapa Eastern Amazon/CIFOR/ITTO), carried out in the Monte Dourado Forest Company (Jarí) area, Vitória do Jari, Amapá, Brazil. The statistical delineation was designed as random blocks with three replications. The treatments applied were combinations of logging intensities (15 percent, 25 percent and 35 percent of the total volume of the trees larger than 60 cm of DBH) and thinning intensities (0 percent, 30 percent, 50 percent and 70 percent of the original basal area). The non-logged forest was used for the control plots. Stand development was monitored through 40 permanent sample plots of 1 ha each (36 logged and 4 unlogged). The stand was measured in 1984, logged in 1985 and remeasured in 1986, 1988, 1990, 1994, 1996 and 2004. All the trees with DBH ≥ 20 cm were measured. While keeping the same simplicity of transition matrix based models, the proposed model allows for determining the state of the system for any given point in time, not being confined just for multiplying time intervals as was the former. This method was verified for different evaluation periods and the results showed that not even the longer periods of projections (break-even point) will be enough to restore the initial conditions of the stand.