Growth of native forest species in a mixed stand in the Brazilian Savanna

Abstract

A major challenge for the forestry sector is to restore forest cover in degraded areas. In this regard, the adoption of mixed plantations is an opportunity to combine the obtaining of services and products from the forest, providing ecological and socioeconomic advantages. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the growth of native forest species in mixed plantations in Brazilian Savanna. The study was carried out in an area of 4.8 ha with about thirty species planted in spacing 3 × 3 m, located in Chapadão do Sul/MS. At 6.4 years after planting, in 15 randomized plots of 300 m2, the diameter at 1.3 m above ground (DBH), equivalent diameter (DBHeq), total height (H), number of stems (NSI), wood volume (V), biomass (B), carbon (C), and carbon sequestration (CO2) of the trees were measured. Descriptive statistics of the variables were carried out by using boxplot diagrams and principal component analysis (PCA) to group the species according to their growth. The stocks of V and B were 114.03 m3 ha−1 and 52.99 Mg ha−1, respectively. Thus, the mixed planting of native forest species is efficient for recomposing deforested areas, especially as regards biomass accumulation and carbon stock. The species used in mixed planting present different growth form, which were separated by PCA into four groups. DBHeq was the variable that most influenced the differentiation of species into groups. The species Heliocarpus popayanensis, Croton floribundus, Guazuma ulmifolia, Senegalia polyphylla, Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Anadenanthera colubrina, Ceiba speciosa, Anadenanthera peregrina, Gallesia integrifolia and Peltophorum dubium showed the highest growth in the study area.