Abstract

CHEDIACK, S. E.  and  GATTI, M. G.. Growth and age-size relationships of Euterpe edulis palm in harvested and protected Forest in northeast of Misiones, Argentina. Quebracho (Santiago del Estero) [online]. 2018, vol.26, n.1, pp.18-30. ISSN 0328-0543.

The Euterpe edulis Mart. (Arecaceae) occurs both in protected and logged areas of the Atlantic forest in Misiones, Argentina. This palm tree is harvested for its heart. To study the growth and estimate the age of E. edulis individuals, three one-hectare permanent plots were used: two of them located in the Iguazú National Park and the third, a private one, where this species had been harvested. Each marked individual was measured against those of the individuals in the harvested private site in its stem growth (height and diameter) for three years and their increase compared. To estimate the relationship growth increase to forest basal area of the forest, regressions were made. The palm trees were classified into five categories. The regression parameters were used to estimate the time a palm heart takes to become harvestable. Palm tree growth for each size category was related to harvestable palm basal area per hectare. Palm trees of the same size may be of different ages depending on where they grew. In Argentina, law allows palm trees to be harvested when their DBH is 10 cm or more. In logged areas, palm trees reach this size in 23 years or earlier, while in protected areas it takes them 50 years or more. Harvesting palm trees with 10 cm of DBH can be a sustainable practice. However, the cutting time will depend on the environment where palms grow.

Keywords : age; Argentina; Atlantic Forest; Euterpe edulis; palm heart.

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