FOREST MANAGEMENT CRITERIA FOR Manilkara huberi (Ducke) A. Chev. (Sapotaceae) IN UPLAND FORESTS OF CENTRAL AMAZON BASED ON DENDROCHRONOLOGICAL STUDY

Research Highlights: This study used the GOL (Growth-Oriented Logging) model, a concept for the sustainable management of timber resources in tropical forests, which aims to determine the growth model, the minimum logging diameter (MLD) and the cutting cycle (CC), defining these criteria for forest management by species. Background and Objectives: The objective of this work was to define specific forest management criteria for Manilkara huberi (Ducke) A. Chev. species through growth and increment models in diameter and volume, using Dendrochronology study by high frequency densitometry. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in a forest management area in an upland forest in Central Amazonia. The studied species forms annual growth rings depending on the seasonal rainfall. To define the annual growth rings, a high frequency densitometry technique was applied, measuring the density variations in relation to the wood surface, from pith to bark, in high resolution, using the dielectric properties of the wood. With the time series of the annual growth rings thickness obtained, it was possible to determine the MLD and CC, thus being able to propose the most adequate management for the studied species. Results: The minimum logging diameter obtained was approximately 63.4 cm, and its cut cycle estimated at 47 years, mean time estimated to pass through classes of 10 cm in diameter, until reaching MLD with the age of 297 ± 13.8 years. The estimated volume, equivalent to MLD is 6.97 m³. Conclusions: The high-frequency densitometry method allowed the establishment of a growth model through the GOL method, and allowed the determination of criteria for species-specific forest management, being possible to use it for tropical, upland species, with the same characteristics of this species.