Characterization of Varzea and Terra Firme Forests in the Amazon Estuary

DOI Web Site Web Site 33 References

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • アマゾン浸水域のバルゼア林とテラフィルメ林の特性

Search this article

Abstract

A tidal flood forest (várzea) and an interior upland forest (terra firme) from the Urubueua Island in the Amazon estuary were compared according to the number of trees and species, above-ground biomass, human impact and vessel parameters in stem cross sections between rainy (high water) and dry (low water) seasons. Both the number of individuals and species were larger in the terra firme (individuals: 85/400 m2, species: 22/400 m2), but in the vilrzeathe number of individuals showed major variations among quadiats (individuals:62.0 ± 19.5) due to the selective removal of competing trees for the management of açai palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), an income source in the estuary. The human impact was found in the tree height class as well. The average of above-ground biomass per quadrat showed a similar value (vázea: 12.4 t, terra firme: 11.6 t). However, the difference among quadrats was quite large in várzea (S.D.: ± 6.02 t), and this fact suggests that the growth rate occurs independent from human impact. From the comparisons of vessel area, vessel number, diameter and circumference between rainy and dry seasons, it was found that the growth of trees on the terra firme is rainy season-dependent, while the várzea counterpart subjecting to periodic flooding grows mainly in the dry season with low water depth.

Journal

  • Tropics

    Tropics 11 (2), 69-79, 2002

    JAPAN SOCIETY OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY

References(33)*help

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top