Forest management criteria for 12 species of Tropical Native Forests of Bolivia based on dendrochronological methods

Abstract

López, L., Villalba, R. 2015. Forest management criteria for 12 species of Tropical Native Forests of Bolivia based on dendrochronological methods. Ecosistemas 24(2): 24-29. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2015.24-2.04.

In this study, we present information on growth rates, Biological Cutting Cycles (BCC), Optimum Cutting Diameters (OCD) and Optimum Cutting Periods (OCP) for 12 forest species from the Cerrado Boliviano. The results of this study were compared with those from the management guidelines established by the Bolivia's Forestry Law and from the GOL (Growth Oriented Logging) practices. Most species require more than 100 years to reach the BCC. There are species like Anadenanthera colubrina that achieves the OCD at 34 cm diameter whereas others such as Hymenaea courbaril reaches the OCD at 72 cm in diameter. The fast-growing species reach OCP at ages above 62 years, whereas slow-growing species need over 95 years. Most species require more years to reach a certain diameter than those established by the Bolivian Forestry Law. These results emphasize the need to adapt the Bolivia forest management guidelines to practices based on the actual growth rates in tropical species in the Cerrado Boliviano.