Sustainable Forest Management in Rural Southern Brazil: Exploring Participatory Forest Management Planning

Lacerda, A. E. B. de; Rosot, M. A. D.; Filho, Afonso Figueiredo; Garrastazú, M. C.; Nimmo, Evelyn R.; Kellermann, B.; Radomski, Maria Izabel; Beimgraben, Thorsten; Mattos, P. P. de; Oliveira, Y. M. M. de

doi:10.5772/30293

Cited by 10 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…The pristine, or old-growth, forests in the ERSC, herein called Araucaria Forest (AF), are widely recognized as the region's late successional stage [13,14,26]. As a response to the modification of the original forest structure and composition, various native bamboo species have shown intense population growth, creating near monospecific stands in some patches [11,27] and are referred to herein as Bamboo Forest (BF). Additionally, the ERSC also contains forest patches (referred as degraded forests in Figure 1) that have been subjected to various levels of degradation [28], especially logging and fire, and have lost the structural and compositional characteristics typical of old-growth forests (not included in the present study).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

What is the Long-Term Effect of Bamboo Dominance on Adult Trees in the Araucaria Forest? A Comparative Analysis between Two Successional Stages in Southern Brazil

Lacerda

Kellermann²

2019

Diversity

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Bamboos are opportunistic species that rapidly colonize open areas following forest disturbance, forming dense clusters that alter the regenerative processes and maintain lower levels of tree diversity. Widespread forest degradation, especially in Latin America and Asia, and human-induced introduction have allowed native and non-native bamboo species to thrive, hindering successional pathways that would otherwise lead to more diverse forests; such a large-scale phenomenon is a key concern in the conservation of forest resources around the globe. Despite previous research on this phenomenon, little is known about the long-term effects of bamboo dominance on forest structure and composition and the corresponding interaction with natural regeneration. As such, we sought to evaluate the long-term effects of bamboo dominance on the dynamics of adult forest populations considering two forest types (Bamboo Forest—BF and Araucaria Forest—AF) over an 11-year period in the Embrapa Research Station in Caçador, Brazil. We monitored 20 plots (15 × 15 m) in each forest type where we tagged, identified, and measured the height and diameter of all the trees taller than 1.5 m (H) and diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 3.18 cm. Comparisons were based on forest species diversity and structure parameters. In BF, diversity of species increased after the bamboo die-off that occurred in 2006 with a subsequent reduction in the number of pioneer species overtime. However, secondary species remained stagnant demonstrating that recruitment and transition into higher size classes is restricted to the immediate die-off aftermath. On the other hand, plant diversity and structure in the relatively bamboo-free AF were stable with secondary species accounting for the most richness. Our results confirm that BF maintains significantly lower levels of diversity that are restricted to pioneer species; AF structure and diversity are not significantly affected by bamboo die-off and recolonization; and BF tree species are caught in a closed cycle of arrested successional development. The widespread presence of bamboos as dominant species in the region should become a part of the conversation pertaining to forest management and conservation in Brazil and other countries in south America and Asia.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

What is the Long-Term Effect of Bamboo Dominance on Adult Trees in the Araucaria Forest? A Comparative Analysis between Two Successional Stages in Southern Brazil

Lacerda

Kellermann²

2019

Diversity

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“…In this type of forest management, because interventions are more frequent, there is also better space optimization, decreasing the competition's influence. Additionally, this type of intervention would ensure a more continuous forest coverage, promote a more conservative management, and reduce the antagonism that still exists in relation to this species in Southern Brazil [19]. Thus, the enrichment of the secondary forest of rural properties should be encouraged to increase the offer of edible seeds [49], while also taking the issue of higher interventions costs into account.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on these values, it was possible to simulate different management scenarios (Table 1). It is important to mention that this specific species is not explored commercially since the 90s due to the restrictive legislation [19]. Recently, there are efforts being made to approve an ongoing project for A. angustifolia in the state of Santa Catarina, to regulate the planting, preservation, sustainable management, and development of silviculture and its proven food resources [41].…”

Section: Forest Management Scenarios Based On Liocourt's Lawmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As A. angustifolia is currently considered an endangered species and protected by law [18], the management of forested areas is mostly forbidden. However, recent government initiatives are being considered to show that natural forests in Southern Brazil can be sustainable and provide environmental, social and economic benefits besides being an important part of the life of local farmers [19,20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Simulating Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze Timber Stocks With Liocourt’s Law in a Natural Forest in Southern Brazil

Costa

Liesenberg

Hess

et al. 2020

Forests

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This paper presents a simulation of the regulation of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze timber stocks using Liocourt’s law. Although this species is currently protected by law, recent government initiatives are being considered to propose sustainable forest management practices by selecting small rural properties in Southern Brazil. Here, we simulate the applicability of Liocourt’s law in a typical rural property, the size of which is approximately 85 ha. Forest inventory measurements were conducted by estimating the diameter at the breast height (d), total height (h), and annual diameter increments of 308 trees that fit the criteria of d ≥ 10 cm, distributed on 35 permanent plots of 400 m2 each. As a result, a reverse J-shaped d distribution was found. On average, 303 trees can be found per hectare (ha). Local allometric equations showed their basal area (G) to be 21.9 m2∙ha−1, and their commercial volume (V) to be 172 m3∙ha−1, whereas Liocourt’s quotient (q) was 1.31. Based on these attributes, nine different forest management scenarios were proposed by simulating a remaining basal area (Grem) of 10.0, 14.0, and 18.0 m2∙ha−1, and Liocourt’s quotient was changed to 1.1, 1.3, and 1.5. All scenarios consider a d of 62.5 cm. In the less intensive scenario (i.e., q value = 1.5 and larger basal area of 18.0 m2·ha−1) there is greater optimization of space, and higher economic return is ensured to rural producers due to the definition of shorter cutting cycles. This also allows a faster growth rate in both d and h for smaller trees, due to the higher incidence of light onto the lower canopy layer, increasing the natural regeneration implementation of other native species. Forest management should thus be considered a goal in addition to consumer market characteristics for defining the ideal timber stock scenario.

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“…Because of its canopy dominance, some A. angustifolia groves might still retain general environmental conditions ( e.g ., understory shade levels) similar to those of pristine forests; however, logging, fire, and invasive species (native and exotic; see Lacerda et al . ) have affected the composition and diversity of this forest type and might explain its lower level of diversity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation strategies for Araucaria Forests in Southern Brazil: assessing current and alternative approaches

Lacerda

2016

Biotropica

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Efforts to protect the remaining Araucaria Forest fragments in Southern Brazil have focused on large forests dominated by the threatened species Araucaria angustifolia. However, such an approach can miss significant biodiversity by ignoring smaller forest fragments scattered throughout the landscape, many of which exist on small farms. Here, I evaluate the method used to define a set of natural reserves in Southern Brazil to assess if it captures and preserves the significant biodiversity that exists in this unique biome. I used a relatively simple field sampling methodology and statistical analyses to evaluate floristic and structural parameters, comparing tree species diversity within a large forest fragment (with and without A. angustifolia dominance) to smaller fragments in the surrounding landscape. While stands dominated by A. angustifolia showed primary forest‐like physiognomy, they did not have the levels of diversity expected for old‐growth forests. Traditional forestry parameters, especially basal area and number of individuals, are useful for differentiating forest types in terms of structure. While no single diversity index provides a complete picture of the composition and variation of diversity in forest fragments, when taken together and assessed using extrapolation and comparative statistics, they provide a meaningful method for comparing and identifying high priority areas for conservation. Future conservation strategies should look to alternative approaches for assessing biodiversity across the landscape, while including small‐scale landowners in conservation efforts.

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Sustainable Forest Management in Rural Southern Brazil: Exploring Participatory Forest Management Planning

Cited by 10 publications

References 9 publications

What is the Long-Term Effect of Bamboo Dominance on Adult Trees in the Araucaria Forest? A Comparative Analysis between Two Successional Stages in Southern Brazil

What is the Long-Term Effect of Bamboo Dominance on Adult Trees in the Araucaria Forest? A Comparative Analysis between Two Successional Stages in Southern Brazil

Simulating Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze Timber Stocks With Liocourt’s Law in a Natural Forest in Southern Brazil

Conservation strategies for Araucaria Forests in Southern Brazil: assessing current and alternative approaches

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