Abstract
The form of distribution found for the dendro/morphometric variables determines the structure, stability, productivity of forest stands, being a tool to propose silvicultural interventions, management, conservation of species, and dynamics of this environment. Thus, this study evaluates, using probability density functions (pdf), the form of distribution of these variables for araucaria in five sites in southern Brazil, aiming to establish the dynamics and identify the existence of a standard—or the lack thereof—to propose the need for silvicultural interventions to conserve the species and the future forest structure. The Normal, Log-Normal, Weibull and Gamma probability density functions were tested. Results show no significant changes in the shape and dimension in the forest structure dynamics, but a period of stability in the pattern of dendro/morphometric values, resulting from the stagnation of the values of the variables, non-intervention in the forest, relationship with the site, density, competition, and position of the tree in the forest stratum, which compromises the future structure of this forest typology. The study proves that the distribution probability of the variables can be used in management for species conservation and future structure development, as this influences the growth dynamics and processes, resource availability, and the stability, diversity, vitality, and productivity of the species.
Highlights
As mixed species forests are advancing, forest science should provide forestry management with appropriate methods for establishing and regulating mixed species stands
This study aimed, to adjust the probability density functions to establish the pattern of dendro/morphometric variables, or its absence, for Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kunzte, allowing us to obtain information and knowledge to assist in silvicultural interventions, management plans, and conservation of the future structure of araucaria forests
Results show that the dendro/morphometric variables at the studied sites are within a cycle of non-significant structure changes as a whole, seen in the concentration of values in a single form of distribution, showing similarities that may indicate slowly changes in the shape-dimension (Tables 3 and 4) (Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5)
Summary
As mixed species forests are advancing, forest science should provide forestry management with appropriate methods for establishing and regulating mixed species stands. Mixed species stands fundamentally differ from this, with trees exhibiting their full inter and intra-specific structural variability and plasticity. Their traits were probably developed by co-evolution in natural mixed species stands, but became less visible and important in artificial monocultures (Pretzsch, 2019). According to the same author, the structure and size of tree crowns are highly relevant for a tree’s fitness. They determine the tree’s access to resources, the availability and occupation of space, size growth, and seed production and dispersal. Crown size growth results in competition for space, leading to social differentiation, growth reduction of suppressed trees, mortality, and self-thinning (White et al, 2007)
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