Jacaranda Copaia Research Articles

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the tropical tree Jacaranda copaia (Bignoniaceae)

AbstractWe isolated 10 microsatellite loci for Jacaranda copaia for direct measurement of seed and pollen movement within the 50 ha Forest Dynamics Plot on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, and for studies of population genetic structure and gene flow across the Isthmus of Panama. Enriched repeat libraries were screened for microsatellite repeats and polymorphic primer pairs were developed. A total of 110 adult individuals were screened for allelic diversity and loci showed high levels of heterozygosity. These loci show both high maternal and paternal exclusion probabilities.

Growth characteristics of some native tree species used in silvopastoral systems in the humid lowlands of Costa Rica

Research for developing silvopastoral systems includes tree species selection and management, and interactions of trees with pastures. In the Caribbean humid lowlands of Costa Rica, total height, diameters at breast height (DBH), survival, basal area and bole volume were compared among three plantations with four species each, in pure stands as well as in the mixture of the four species. In Plantation 1, at 86 months old the pure plantations of Jacaranda copaia and Vochysia guatemalensis, and the mixed plantations (Jacaranda copaia + Vochysia guatemalensis + Calophyllum brasiliense + Stryphnodendron microstachyum) had the largest DBH. Vochysia guatemalensis is one of the most preferred species in the region for reforestation of degraded pastures, while Jacaranda copaia is not preferred because it has low local economic value. In Plantation 2, at 81 months, the greatest DBH was found in Virola koschnyi, Terminalia amazonia and the mixed plantations (Virola koschnyi + Terminalia amazonia + Dipteryx panamensis + Pseudosamanea guachapele). Dipteryx panamensis has good economic value and has a relatively open canopy that produces moderate shade. Virola koschnyi and Terminalia amazonia have denser canopies, are preferred by farmers, and they could be planted in low density in silvopastoral systems. In Plantation 3, at 70 months, the greatest DBH was found in Vochysia ferruginea, Hieronyma alchorneoides and the mixed plantation (Vochysia ferruginea + Hieronyma alchorneoides + Genipa americana + Balizia elegans). Most of these species are currently used in silvopastoral systems in the region. Mixed plantations may combine beneficial effects of the different species' characteristics, with the additional advantage of product diversification.

O Crescimento de duas espécies florestais pioneiras, pau-de-balsa (Ochroma lagopus Sw.) e caroba (Jacaranda copaia D. Don), usadas para recuperação de áreas degradadas pela agricultura na Amazônia Central, Brasil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o crescimento das espécies florestais pioneiras pau-de-balsa (Ochroma lagopus Sw.) e caroba (Jacaranda copaia D. Don) para a recuperação de áreas degradadas pela agricultura. Na área, situada no km 120 da BR-174, tinha sido plantado mandioca e banana e abandonada há 8 anos, formando uma capoeira de porte baixo e rala. O experimento foi instalado em maio/98, com e sem gradagem da área. O espaçamento foi de 3x3m, em covas de 20 cm (diâmetro) x 30 cm (profundidade), com adubação de 150g/cova de NPK (4-16-8) e calcário dolomítico na proporção de 3:1. Para a avaliação do crescimento, foram medidas a altura e o diâmetro das plantas aos 2 meses (julho/98) e a cada ano aproximadamente (junho/99, setembro/00 e maio/01). Os dados foram analisados através do delineamento inteiramente casualisado. A sobrevivência do pau-de-balsa foi maior em área gradeada (97,1%) do que em area não gradeada (92,5%), após o primeiro ano do plantio; da caroba, foi cerca de 90% e sem diferenças entre as areas. A altura e diâmetro do pau-de-balsa, foram maiores em área gradeada, a partir do primeiro ano, chegando no terceiro ano a 11,85 m de altura e 11,42 cm de diâmetro. Na caroba, a diferença ocorreu a partir do segundo ano e no terceiro chegou a 8,37 m de altura e 11,18 cm de diâmetro. Além de outros fatores inerentes às espécies, o solo mais friável das áreas gradeadas, possibilitou um maior crescimento em altura e diâmetro das duas espécies estudadas.

Growth and effects of thinning of mixed and pure plantations with native trees in humid tropical Costa Rica

Reforestation efforts are being promoted throughout the humid tropics in response to increased areas of deforested and abandoned or degraded lands. Farmers need technical information on species performance, plantation design and management in order to make appropriate choices of species and silvicultural techniques to achieve high productivity. In Costa Rica, government incentives have promoted the planting of native tree species, but information is still scarce on species performance and silvicultural management. The present study examines the growth and responses to thinning of native species in mixed and pure-species plantations in the Caribbean Lowlands of Costa Rica. At 9–10 years of age, the species with best growth in diameter and volume were Vochysia guatemalensis Donn. Sm., Terminalia amazonia (J. Gmell) Excell, Jacaranda copaia (Aubl) D. Don, Virola koschnyi Warb. and Vochysia ferruginea Mart. Most species had better growth in mixed than in pure-species plantations. The slower growing species Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess and Genipa americana L. grew better in pure than in mixed stands. Mixed plantations (combinations of 3–4 species) ranked among the most productive in terms of volume. Trees responded to thinning with increased diameter growth, while height was not generally influenced by thinning. Tight initial spacing and thinning with high extraction of stems can improve growth and timber quality of stands. Results of the present research are useful to improve species choices for reforestation and plantation management in the humid lowlands of Costa Rica and in other regions with similar ecological characteristics.

Influência do sombreamento no crescimento de mudas de três espécies amazônicas

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de mudas de caroba (Jacaranda copaia (Aubl.) D. Don.), jatobá (Hymenaea courbaril L.) e pau-de-balsa (Ochroma lagopus (Cav. ex. Lam.) Urban) sob diferentes níveis de sombreamento, em viveiro. O experimento foi realizado na Estação Experimental de Silvicultura Tropical (EEST) do Inpa, em Manaus, AM. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos: dois tratamentos com 50% de sombra durante 15 e 30 dias, respectivamente, e o restante do período a pleno sol (0%), e três tratamentos com sombreamento a 30, 50 e 70%, respectivamente, obtido com o uso de telas de polipropileno, de cor preta. Foram avaliados o diâmetro do colo, a altura total da parte aérea das mudas, o comprimento das raízes, a massa de matéria seca de raízes, caule e folhas, a área foliar e as relações altura/diâmetro do colo e parte aérea/sistema radicular. Hymenaea courbaril teve seu crescimento prejudicado quando cultivada sob 70% de sombra. As mudas de Ochroma lagopus e Jacaranda copaia apresentaram maior crescimento sob sombra, porém a qualidade das mudas foi prejudicada. Na tomada de decisão sobre qual sombreamento a ser usado, devem ser considerados, principalmente, os parâmetros que refletem um crescimento equilibrado da muda como um todo e um bom desenvolvimento radicular.

Accumulation in above-ground biomass and soil storage of mineral nutrients in pure and mixed plantations in a humid tropical lowland

As fast-growing, short-rotation plantations are being planted in the tropics on low fertility soils, the problem of sustaining soil fertility becomes an important management issue. Above-ground biomass, nutrient concentration of above-ground tree tissues, and soil nutrients were examined in two young plantations of eight indigenous tree species grown in pure and mixed designs in a low fertility site in the humid lowlands of Costa Rica. The goal was to assess the role of nutrient accumulation in above-ground biomass on potential site nutrient decline, and to draw recommendations to conserve site nutrients in the long term. In Plantation 1, Jacaranda copaia pure stands had higher above-ground tree N, P, and Mg than the other treatments, while Vochysia guatemalensis had the greatest accumulation of K and Ca. For J. copaia, stem harvest would remove about 54% of total above-ground tree N, but about 80% of P, K, Ca and Mg. For V. guatemalensis, stem harvest would remove less than 30% of N but from 50 to 60% of total above-ground tree Ca, K, Mg and P. Branches and foliage summed together were 25 to 35% of total above-ground tree biomass, but they generally represented about 50% of above-ground tree nutrients. In Plantation 2, the mixed stands had the highest above-ground nutrient content for all nutrients, and both the mixture and Terminalia amazonia pure stands had the highest stem P and Mg. Five years after planting, decreases in soil P, K and Ca were apparent in pure plots of the fastest growing species with the largest accumulation of nutrients in above-ground biomass, such as J. copaia and V. guatemalensis. However, in other cases, beneficial effects on some soil nutrients were noted: for example, increases in soil Ca under T. amazonia and Virola koschnyi, both species with high Ca content in foliage and high rates of annual litterfall. The mixed plots showed intermediate values for the nutrients examined, and even improved soil conditions, as for P in Plantation 1. This suggests that in mixed conditions it may take longer to deplete soil nutrients than in monospecific stands of fast-growing species. Results of continued sampling will be needed to assess the long term effects of plantation treatments on soil chemistry, especially near the end of the rotation (estimated at 12–15 years, depending on the species). The calculation of whole-stand nutrient budgets can help in the selection of tree species and plantation management strategies to favor nutrient recycling mechanisms and site nutrient conservation.

SEED AND SEEDLING ECOLOGY OF TREE SPECIES IN NEOTROPICAL SECONDARY FORESTS: MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

In spite of the growing importance of neotropical secondary forests as sources of timber and environmental services, the baseline information needed to develop silvicultural options is still limited. In this paper I describe interspecific patterns of seed longevity in the soil, germination, and survival and growth of transplanted seedlings under closed canopy of nine tree species that are common in secondary forest stands in wet, lowland Costa Rica and most of which are timber species in the region: Cordia alliodora, Hampea appendiculata, Jacaranda copaia, Laetia procera, Rollinia microsepala, Simarouba amara, Stryphnodendron microstachyum, Trichospermum grewiifolium, and Vochysia ferruginea. Many of these species also occur throughout the lowland neotropics. Experiments were carried out in three replicate secondary-forest stands (20–30 yr old after pasture abandonment) located at La Selva Biological Station in northeastern Costa Rica. Longevity of experimental seed cohorts differed markedly among species...

Diameter increment patterns among 106 tree species in a logged and silviculturally treated Costa Rican rain forest

Studies of growth rates of trees in managed neotropical forests have rarely employed complete botanical identification of all species, while published information for Central American lowland rain forests largely concerns forests free of recent disturbance. We studied diameter increments of trees in a managed Costa Rican rain forest. The Pentaclethra macroloba-dominated forest was located on low hills with Ultisols in Holdridge's Tropical Wet Forest life zone. The 540 m × 540 m (29.2 ha) experimental area was lightly logged during 1989–1990. The 180 m × 180 m (3.24 ha) experimental plots comprised a 100 m × 100 m (1.0 ha) central permanent sample plot (PSP) with a 40-m wide buffer strip. Post-harvest silvicultural treatments were liberation/refinement (in 1991) and shelterwood (in 1992), applied under a complete randomized block design with three replicates, using logged but untreated plots as controls. All live trees ≥10 cm DBH in the PSPs, were identified to species; data reported are for 1993–1996. Cluster analysis was used to group species on the basis of the median and quartiles of their diameter increment distributions, separating data by silvicultural treatments; five diameter increment groups were established and subdivided on the basis of the adult height of each species (four categories), giving 17 species groups in the final classification. Adult height and silvicultural treatment made a significant contribution to growth rate variation. Median annual increments of the slowest-growing species groups, which featured many under- and middle story species, were ca. 1 mm; those for the fastest growing species, which were mainly canopy and emergents, were ca. 16 mm. All species in the groups of very fast growth were pioneers, whether short or long-lived, though many other pioneer species did not show fast growth. The proportions of species found in groups of moderate, fast or very fast growth were greater in the silviculturally treated plots than in the controls, and one complete diameter increment group, of fast growth, was only represented in the treated plots. Crown form, crown illumination and presence of lianas in the crown, showed significant correlations with diameter increments, though the importance of these latter two variables varied with silvicultural treatment. The very fast growth groups differed from the others in having higher proportions of trees with well-formed, well-illuminated crowns and an irregular diameter distribution with relatively few individuals in the smallest DBH class. Comparison with data from other neotropical forest sites shows that long-lived pioneers such as Vochysia ferruginea and Jacaranda copaia grow fast or very fast at all sites, while non-commercial canopy and emergent species of Chrysobalanaceae and Sapotaceae appear to be uniformly slow-growing. Growth data for the majority of species are, however, published for the first time.

Mating Systems of Three Tropical Dry Forest Tree Species1

ABSTRACTPolymorphic allozyme loci were used to estimate outcrossing rates for three tree species from a disturbed dry forest in southern Costa Rica. Estimates of the multilocus outcrossing rates of Cedrela odorata and Jacaranda copaia were 0.969 and 0.982, respectively, and suggest that these species may be self‐incompatible. The subcanopy tree Stemmadenia donnell‐smithii also demonstrated little self‐fertilization based on an estimated outcrossing rate of 0.896. Significant heterogeneity in pollen allele frequencies among maternal trees was detected for at least two enzyme loci for each species. A test of correlated mating between progeny of S. donnell‐smithii revealed that all seeds within a fruit were singly sired. In addition, the low estimates of biparental inbreeding and significant differences in pollen and ovule allele frequencies for this species suggest that gene flow into the sampled forest fragment may occur. The implications of deforestation on the mating systems of these tropical tree taxa are discussed.

Rain forest on Maracá Island, Roraima, Brazil: artificial gaps and plant response to them

Three replicate artificial canopy gaps of four sizes (ca. 40 m 2, ca. 150 m 2, ca. 350 m 2, and ca. 2500 m 2) were made in rain forest on Maracá Island. Gaps were defined according to Brokaw (1982)and all vegetation (>2 m tall) within them was felled and left in place. The nine most numerous dicotyledonous tree (≥10 cm dbh) species of unfelled forest were chosen for studies on size–class distribution, sprouting, and seedling dynamics in the artificial gaps. Seedling dynamics of two pioneer species, one small understory tree species, and a shrub are also presented as well as the response of the herbaceous vegetation. The artificial gaps were ephemeral in that within a few months of their creation the growth of sprouts and herbaceous vegetation often exceeded 2 m height and hence the strict definition of gap no longer applied. Later, there was much young tree and liana growth and the upper branches of the surrounding trees were encroaching into the gaps, reducing their area (after 4 yrs) by as much as 85%. The gaps caused enhanced seedling recruitment for at least a year. Cecropia palmata and Jacaranda copaia which are well-known pioneer species were both recruited in all gaps including the smallest ones. Tetragastris panamensis behaved similarly to these two species and had many seedlings recruited in all gap sizes. The survivorship and height growth of all seedlings were recorded in sample quadrats in each gap size. Data for nine species, which had reasonably large seedling cohorts, are presented separately. The gaps reduced the mortality rate and increased the rate of height growth of the seedlings present at the time of gap creation. Of the nine leading species, Brosimum lactescens had the lowest mortality rate and almost all the C. palmata and J. copaia recruited after gap creation died by the end of the study. Mean height of seedlings in the forest plots varied little throughout the 4-yr study, while small seedlings of B. lactescens, Himatanthus articulatus, and Lindackeria paludosa had reached heights up to 7 m in the large and very large gaps. The results provide no support for the notion that rain forest species are adapted to gaps of a certain size. Certainly, there are light-demanding species and shade-bearing species, but the observed variations within individual species, the heterogeneity of the gap environment, and the ephemeral nature of gaps all make it unlikely that a species is best adapted to one gap size.

Tree architecture and secondary tropical rain forest development: A case study in Araracuara, Colombian Amazonia

Summary Four successional forests, the oldest 30 years old, and a mature forest on the low terrace of the Caqueta river (Colombian Amazonia), were analysed architecturally. The architecture of these secondary forests was largely determined by species of Vismia , Miconia and Inga reaching their maximal crown expansion during the first 30 years of secondary forest development. Forest profiles were drawn to scale, indicating the development phase of every tree (Dbh > 5 cm). Three development phases were distinguished according to crown architecture, i.e. potential trees, trees of the present and trees of the past. These development phases were used to determine the dynamics of the species within the secondary forest A first approximation of the secondary forest development in Araracuara is as follows: 1. Within seven years a set of trees of the present (Vismia glaziovii and Miconia minutiflora) develop a low ( 2. Between seven and eleven years Vismia japurensis and Vismia macrophylla develop a higher (10–15 m) canopy of trees of the present making survival of the previous set of the present impossible. Again potential trees of other species are present, some of them emerging. 3. Around 20 years Miconia poeppigii, Miconia myriantha, Jacaranda copaia and several Inga species form a still higher (c. 20 m) canopy of trees of the present, making survival of the Vismia set almost impossible. Most potential trees in this development phase are lower than the trees of the present, some are still emerging, i.e. Cecropia spp. A lower (ca. 10m) set of the present is formed by several Miconia species already present from the initiation of the succession ( Miconia prasina, Miconia pilgeriana, Miconia punctata, Miconia splendens ) and Piper arboreum 4. Around 30 years the canopy of Miconia and Inga species starts to degenerate. Potential trees grow into the gaps. 5. In the mature forest the formation of gaps by trees of the past is the most important factor in the regeneration From every tree species encountered in the transects documented by profiles, the basic branching pattern, i.e. architectural model (sensu HALLE et al. 1978), was determined. For every transect an architectural spectrum was made. These spectra show the numbers of individuals and species having the same architectural models. By approximation, the results are broadly in agreement with earlier research from French Guyana. Young secondary forests have many individuals with Rauh's model, together with many individuals with Roux's model, and few individuals with Troll's and Massart's model, and certainly few species with those models. In mature forest there is a large number and great variety of Troll's model, Massart's model and often Aubrevilles model, and still quite a number of individulas with Rauh's model. Roux's model is found in the understorey of the mature forest

Wood Anatomy of Jacaranda (Bignoniaceae): Systematic Relationships in Sections Monolobos and Dilobos as Suggested by Twig and Stem Wood Rays

This report provides a generic description of the stern wood anatomy of 15 species of Jacaranda from seetions Monolobos and Dilobos. In Monolobos (excluding J. copaia), the rays are homocellular and exclusively uniseriate, occasionally with a small biseriate portion. In Dilobos, the rays are heterocellular and 2-3(-4) cells wide. To verify the differences in ray structure, 27 species of twig specimens were examined and compared with stern specimens of the same seetion. The wood anatomy corroborates morphological evidence that suggests partitioning of Jacaranda into two distinct seetions and supports the hypothesis that section Dilobos is primitive. The wood anatomy of Jacaranda copaia is distinct from that of other species in the genus. The vessels are larger in diameter and fewer per square millimetre, the vessel elements and fibres are longer, and the number of cells per parenchyma strand is higher. In addition, the rays are fewer per millimetre, taller, and homocellular to slightly heterocellular, with one irregular row of square cells, 2-3(-4) cells wide. Jacaranda copaia seems to be intermediate between seetions Monolobos and Dilobos.

Leaf litter decomposition and mulch performance from mixed and monospecific plantations of native tree species in Costa Rica

An experiment with native trees was established in 1991 on degraded pasture in the Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica to examine the influence of mixed and monospecific plantation designs on tree growth and nutrient cycling. As part of this study, leaf litter decomposition rates and mulch performance were compared among four native tree species, Callophylum brasiliense Cambess, Jacaranda copaia (Aubl.) D. Don, Vochysia guatemalensis J.D. Smith, and Strypnodendron microstachyum Poepp. et Endl. Leaf litter of V. guatemalensis, J. copaia and the mixed plantation decomposed the fastest, with less than 16% of the initial weight remaining at 12 months. C. brasiliense had the slowest decomposition rate with 23% of the leaf litter remaining at 12 months. V. guatemalensis had the greatest amount of annual leaf litter fall and accumulation. J. copaia showed high levels of annual litter fall but fluctuating forest-floor litter accumulation, and the mixture showed intermediate patterns of annual leaf litter fall and accumulation. All mulch treatments improved maize seedling performance in comparison with unmulched controls. S. microstachyum mulch was found to have the most beneficial effect on initial maize seedling height growth and N uptake. Recommendations are drawn from the results to suggest potential uses of these species in forestry and agroforestry systems.

Early species selection for tropical reforestation: A consideration of stability

Third year growth data from a species screening trial established by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) at the La Selva Biological Station in Puerto Viejo, Heredia, Sarapiquí, Costa Rica from 1987 to 1990 serve as the basis for analysis. Both exotic and native timber species were tested for survival, growth, and form. The species x site sum of squares was partitioned in order to identify high yielding species that are generalists and high yielding species that may be specialists. The contribution of each species to the species x site interaction term was determined: four species were found to contribute 61% of the interaction ( Ochroma pyramidale, 26.5%; Gmelina arborea, 13.1%; Terminalia superba, 11.2%; and Acacia mangium, 10.3%). If three additional species are added ( Pseudobombax septenatum, 9.4%; Terminalia amazonia, 8.7%; and Terminalia ivorensis, 7.4%) 86% of the species x site interaction effect is explained. If each species contributed equally to the variance, each would have an ecovalence of 4.55%. Three stable species with above average tree volume ( Vochysia guatemalensis, Jacaranda copaia, and Goethalsia meiantha) show potential for reforestation over large regions where plantation maintenance is minimal. The identification of several high yielding unstable exotic species helps to explain their uneven success in plantations in Costa Rica. Some lower yielding, but more stable, native species may offer greater yields where site conditions are poor and maintenance limited.

Early Woody Invasion Under Tree Plantations in Costa Rica: Implications for Forest Restoration

AbstractThe role of tree plantations as facilitators of tropical forest restoration in degraded lands has been explored recently, but there are few data on the effect of different tree species on invasion of the plant understory. We evaluated early patterns of understory composition in three‐year‐old native tree plantations in lowland Costa Rica using two pure‐species treatment (Jacaranda copaia and Vochysia guatemalensis) and one mixed‐species treatment (J. copaia, V. guatemalensis, Stryphnodendron microstachyum, and Calophyllum brasiliense). We also monitored woody invasion in unplanted control areas dominated by grasses. The understory of the different plantation treatments differed in light environment, woody‐plant growth and recruitment, and quantity and quality of woody regeneration. Forest tree invasion appeared to be enhanced under Vochysia, while shrubs were more abundant under the Jacaranda and mixed‐species treatments. Woody plant growth, herbaceous cover, and understory light availability were highest under Jacaranda, intermediate under mixed species, and lowest under Vochysia. Soil‐stored seeds seemed an important source for woody plant recruitment in Jacaranda and mixed species and of minimal importance under Vochysia, probably due to light suppression. It appears that competition from grasses is a major factor influencing early woody invasion in our study area. We found no woody recruitment after one year in the unplanted controls. We suggest that to promote the use of plantations as tools of forest restoration, there is a need to gather basic ecological information on how different tree species may influence patterns of plant understory colonization.

Pioneer and late stage tropical rainforest tree species (French Guiana) growing under common conditions differ in leaf gas exchange regulation, carbon isotope discrimination and leaf water potential.

Leaf gas exchange rates, predawn Ψwp and daily minimum Ψwm leaf water potentials were measured during a wet-to-dry season transition in pioneer (Jacaranda copaia, Goupia glabra andCarapa guianensis) and late stage rainforest tree species (Dicorynia guianensis andEperua falcata) growing in common conditions in artificial stands in French Guiana. Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) was assessed by measuring the stable carbon isotope composition of the cellulose fraction of wood cores. The Δ values were 2.7‰ higher in the pioneer species than in the late stage species. The calculated time integratedC i values derived from the Δ values averaged 281 μmol mol-1 in the pioneers and 240 μmol mol-1 in the late stage species. The corresponding time-integrated values of intrinsinc water-use efficiency [ratio CO2 assimilation rate (A)/leaf conductance (g)] ranged from 37 to 47 mmol mol-1 in the pioneers and the values were 64 and 74 mmol mol-1 for the two late stage species. The high Δ values were associated-at least inJ. copaia-with high maximumg values and with high plant intrinsinc specific hydraulic conductance [C≔g/(Ψwm-Ψwp], which could reflect a high competitive ability for water and nutrient uptake in the absence of soil drought in the pioneers. A further clear discriminating trait of the pioneer species was the very sensitive stomatal response to drought in the soil, which might be associated with a high vulnerability to cavitation in these species. From a methodological point of view, the results show the relevance of Δ for distinguishing ecophysiological functional types among rainforest trees.

Reproductive health in couples with sterility and aborted pregnancies living in a territory with radionuclide contamination

In the context of multiple forest management, multipurpose tree species which provide both timber and non-timber forest products (NTFP), present particular challenges as the potential of conflicting use for either product may be high. One key aspect is that the magnitude of conflict of use can be location specific, thus adding complexity to policy development. This paper focuses on the extent to which the potential for conflict of use in multipurpose tree species varies across the Amazonian lowland forests shared by Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, emphasizing the economic dimension of conflict. Based on a review of the current normative and regulatory aspects of timber and NTFP extraction in the five countries, the paper also briefly discusses the opportunities and constraints for harmonization of timber and NTFP management of multipurpose species across the region. It was found that about half of the 336 timber species reviewed across the five countries also have non-timber uses. Eleven timber species are multipurpose in all five countries: Calophyllum brasiliense, Cedrela odorata, Ceiba pentandra, Clarisia racemosa, Ficus insipida, Jacaranda copaia, Schefflera morototoni, Simarouba amara and Terminalia amazonia. Seven other multipurpose species occurred only in either Venezuela (Tabebuia impetiginosa, Spondias mombin, Pentaclethra macroloba, Copaifera officinalis, Chlorophora tinctoria, Carapa guianensis) or Ecuador (Tabebuia chrysantha). Four multipurpose tree species presented the highest potential of conflict of use across the region: Dipteryx odorata, Tabebuia serratifolia, Hymenaea courbaril and Myroxylon balsamum yet these were not evenly distributed across all five countries. None of the five studied countries have specific legislation to promote sustainable use of any of the multipurpose species reported here and thus mitigate potential conflict of use; nor documented management options for integration or else segregation of both their timber and NTFP values.

Áreas prioritárias na Amazônia para conservação dos recursos genéticos de espécies florestais nativas: fase preliminar

O CENARGEN/EMBRAPA está realizando a prospecção das áreas prioritárias para a conservação in situ dos recursos genéticos de espécies com importância sócio-econômica para cada bioma existente no Brasil, buscando a conservação da variabilidade genética das mesmas. Para a prospecção da floresta tropical úmida amazônica, inicialmente foram feitos levantamentos de herbários nacionais bem como de literatura, para tentar definir os padrões de distribuição geográfica de algumas espécies prioritárias da região. A ocorrência das mesmas foi correlacionada com solos, clima, vegetação e com a existência de unidades de conservação na Amazônia, no intuito de se propor as áreas mais adequadas para a implantação de reservas genéticas (conservação in situ) e de bancos de germoplasma (conservação ex situ à campo). As espécies relatadas no presente trabalho são Aniba rosaeodora Ducke (pau-rosa), Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K. (castanha-do-Pará), Carapa quianensis Aubl. (andiroba), Cedrela fissilis Veil, e C. odorata L. (cedros), Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. e C. multijuga Hayne (copaibas), Cordia goeldiana Huber (freijó), Jacaranda copaia (Aubl.) D. Dom (pará-pará), Simaruba amara Aubl. e Virola sebifera Aubl. e V. surinamensis Warb. (ucuúbas) e Voucapoua americana Aubl. e V. pallidor Ducke (acapús). Trabalhos posteriores com as mesmas incluirão a corroboração à campo dos dados obtidos nos herbários e na literatura, bem como estudos a nível de população dentro das áreas selecionadas.

In Vitro and In Vivo leishmanicidal activities of natural and synthetic quinoids

AbstractThe activities of various compounds isolated from plants traditionally used against leishmaniasis in populations from the tablelands of the Guyanas have been examined. The leishmanicidal activity of plant extracts was evaluated by in vitro testing on promastigote and amastigote stages of Leishmania amazonensis and by in vivo tests on L. amazonensis in mice. The leaves of Jacaranda copaia (Aublet) D. Don yielded two compounds: ursolic acid and jaracanone. Ursolic acid showed an interesting activity in vitro with an ED50 against amastigotes of 0.02 mM and no toxicity to macrophages at twice this dose. Jacaranone displayed a marked activity against promastigotes in vitro with an ED50 of 0.02 mM. Both compounds have weak in vivo antileishmanial activity. Similar synthetic compounds such as quinol and quinone acetates were prepared and showed increased activity in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis in mice.

Agroforestry systems as an ecological approach in the Brazilian Amazon development

This paper discusses EMBRAPA's agroforestry systems experience in the Brazilian Amazon. The forestry species and fruit trees introduced in shifting cultivation systems had great success, particularly the wood-producing species Cordia goeldiana and Swietenia macrophylla and the fruit trees Musa spp. and Theobroma grandiflorum. In forestry plantations, Vigna unguiculata was mixed with the trees C. goeldiana, Jacaranda copaia and Bagassa guianensis in the first two years to reduce costs of investment and cultural treatment. In this case, Vigna unguiculata did not affect survival of trees and increased tree height and diameter growth. The introduction of wood-producing trees in livestock pastures can represent formation of a system more balanced and stable through nutrient cycling than is possible today. A silvopastoral system has been carried out in the Paragominas region (eastern Para) using the forestry species Eucalyptus tereticornis, B. guianensis and Schizolobium amazonicum, the crop Zea mays and the forage species Branchiaria brizantha, B. humidicola and Panicum maximum. Performance of the forestry and forage species has been satisfactory and the corn yield was more than the regional average. The cattle, at a low stocking rate, graze normally on the site and cause no harm to the planted trees.