Amazonian Forest Restoration: An Innovative System for Native Species Selection Based on Phenological Data and Field Performance Indices

Amazonian Forest Restoration: An Innovative System for Native Species Selection Based on Phenological Data and Field Performance Indices

background

In this article, data is presented from 14 years of evaluating native species from primary forests in Para State, Brazil for their potential use as reforestation trees on a bauxite mine.

research goals & methods

For 160 species of moist forest trees, the study determined the fruiting months, dispersal mechanisms, the ease of seed collection, the viability and treatments needed to break dormancy in seeds, planting stock selection, and early performance in the bauxite site plantation. This data was used to determine a ranking system for the species of the most favorable for use in reforestation.

conclusions & takeaways

The most highly ranked sun tolerant species were Spondias lutea, Caryocar villosum, Hevea brasilensis, Hevea guianesis, Dipteryx magnifica, and Dipteryx odorata.

They study proposes that the methods used for this study constitute a novel system for gathering large amounts of data on many native tree species with relatively low cost. The study recommends use of this approach to other programs to guide reforestation projects.

Reference: 

Knowles, O. H., Knowles, D. H., Parrotta, J. A., &; Parrotta, J. A. (1995). Amazonian forest restoration: an innovative system for native species selection based on phenological data and field performance indices. The Commonwealth Forestry Review, 74(3), 230–243.

Affiliation: 

  • Mineracao Rio do Norte s.a., Porto Trombetas, Para, Brazil
  • USDA Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry, Río Pedras, PR, USA