Dendrometric characterization in paricá plantations (<i>Schizolobium amazonicum</i> Huber ex. Ducke) in the region of Paragominas, Pará, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the main dendrometric characteristics of paricá (Schizolobium amazonicum Huber ex. Ducke), such as diameter, height and form, and also test models to estimate the total volume of paricá trees in commercial plantations with five, six and seven years of age, in a 4 m x 4 m spacing, in the region of Paragominas, Pará, Brazil. The models selection was based on goodness-of-fit indicators, such as R², standard error of estimates, as well as the residual graphical analysis. Regarding the dendrometrical characteristics, results showed that the paricá trees presented similar dendrometrical measures when compared to eucalyptus in similar conditions. The paricá had a similar growth in both diameter and height to fast-growth
species. As for the equations of total volume, generally, Schumacher & Hall’s model showed the best results to estimate the individual tree volume.