Modeling and dynamics of growth and yield of tree species in Mimosa scabrella stands

Abstract

Bracatingais" are common forest formations formed by bracatinga (Mimosa scabrella) and secondary species, which have replaced bracatinga over time; these forests are an important source of income for small farmers. The objective of this study was to model the growth and yield volume of firewood per unit of area and to evaluate the dynamics of the stock across the years. Data from 320 plots were used to fit 12 mathematical models separately addressing the data for bracatinga and secondary species and total species. The Clutter model presented better results for bracatinga (IA = 0.954 and Syx% = 8.54) and for total species (IA = 0.917 and Syx% = 11.56). The modified Clutter model was the best for the secondary species, with IA = 0.952 and Syx% = 25.08. The volumetric estimation of these equations was used to compare the estimated volume of the bracatinga with that of the secondary species, identifying the age as between 13 and 14 years when the volume of the bracatinga is supplanted by the volume of the secondary species. Furthermore, 8 years of age was ideal for clearcutting the bracatingais.