Dry biomass distribution in a cerrado sensu stricto site in Brazil central

Abstract

The Cerrado has been the main source of firewood and charcoal in Brazil, but despite being one of the hot spots for conservation of the world's biodiversity, neither plantations of native species nor sustainable management has been adopted in the region. The aim of this work was to investigate the biomass distribution and the potential for energy production of the cerrado species. The study was conducted in a cerrado sensu stricto site at the Água Limpa Farm (15º 56'14'' S and 47º 46'08'' W) in the Cerrado Biosphere Reserve. An area of 63.54ha was divided in 20 x 50m plots and, a random sample consisting of ten of these plots, representing 1.56% of the study-site, was assessed. All woody individuals from 5 cm diameter at 30 cm above ground level were identified and measured. Each individual was felled, the twigs thinner than 3cm were discarded while the larger branches and the trunks, both with bark, were weighted separately. After that, 2.5cm transverse sections of the trunk with bark were taken at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the length. A similar sample was also taken at the base of each branch. A total of 47 species in 35 genera and 24 families were found, with an average density of 673 individuals per ha. The diameter distribution showed a reversed-J shape with 67% of the individuals up to 13cm, while the maximum diameter was 32.30cm. Seven species represented 72% of the total biomass. In general, the species with higher production per tree were among those with higher production per ha. This content was distributed by diameter classes, reaching a maximum of 2.5ton/ha between 9 to 13cm and then, decreasing to 0.96 ton/ha between 29 to 33cm diameter. Carbon sequestering was 6.2ton/ha (until the actual stage of cerrado) based on an average 50% carbon content in the dry matter. The heat combustion of the wood varied from 18,903kj/kg to 20,888kj/kg with an average of 19,942kj/kg. The smaller diameter classes fix more carbon due to the large number of small plants per ha. But, for a species that reached larger dimensions and contained individuals in all diameter classes, Vochysia thyrsoidea, one can verify an increase in carbon fixation from 1.41 kg/ha in the first class (5 to 9cm) to 138,3kg/ha in the last (25 to 33cm). That indicates that it is possible to select species that reach larger size with a higher capacity of carbon accumulation per plant. The species that reached larger dimensions, with a production per tree above average and had high calorific power values were Dalbergia miscolobium, Pterodon pubescens and Sclerolobium paniculatum. These species have potential for use in fuelwood plantations and sustainable management.

Regional Variations in Biomass Distribution in Brazilian Savanna Woodland

“…Pontes (2010) used seasonal contrast of EVI (enhanced vegetation index) images to differentiate three seasonal classes in the cerrado sensu stricto physiognomy. By using primary productivity, (1) Vale and Felfili (2005). the group found that the areas with the highest NPP (net primary productivity) values were typically the denser cerrado types. Standardized methods, likely combining remotely sensed data with ground surveys, should be established to develop baselines and monitoring systems that are fundamental parts of payment mechanisms related to mitigation of C emissions.…”

Phenology of Caryocar brasiliense in the Brazilian cerrado region

“…The cerrado has been the main source of firewood and charcoal in Brazil, and neither plantations of native species nor sustainable management of them have been adopted so far in the region. For this reason, the plantation of native species could help to conserve these species and to use management strategies (Vale and Felfili, 2005).…”

“…The oil of these fruits has invigorating effect, thus being used for bronchitis, influenzas, colds and against tumors, and the tea of its leaves is a menstrual regulator (Almeida et al, 1998). C. brasiliense is one of the most cut trees used to produce charcoal due to its diameter and good combustion value (Vale and Felfili, 2005).…”

Influence of diameter measuring height on the adjustment of volume and biomass equations of cerrado in minas gerais

“…Agrotec., Lavras, v.38, n. 3, p.230-239, maio./jun., 2014Encinas et al (2009 ;Rufini, et al (2010); Ribeiro et al (2011) and Pinheiro and Durigan (2012); worked with the diameter of the tree measured at 1.30 meters from the soil (DBH). However, Abdala et al (1998); Vale et al (2002); Vale and Felfili (2005); Medeiros et al (2008); Crespilho and Schiavini (2009) ;Lima et al (2010);Carvalho (2011);Mews;Marimon and Maracahipes (2011);Paiva et al (2011) and Ribeiro et al (2012) worked with the diameter measured at 0.30 meters from the soil (DAS 1 ). Castro and Kauffman (1998) and Siqueira (2006) used both measurement heights in their work.…”