Title
Spatial distribution of Bertholletia excelsa in selectively logged forests of the Peruvian Amazon
Date Issued
01 March 2017
Access level
open access
Resource Type
editorial
Author(s)
Rockwell C.A.
Menton M.
Quispe E.A.
Quaedvlieg J.
Silva H.F.
Arrunátegui J.A.H.K.
Vega L.A.M.
Hancco R.Q.
Vera O.R.
Tito J.F.V.
Panduro B.T.V.
Salas J.J.Y.
Centro para la Investigación Forestal Internacional
Centro para la Investigación Forestal Internacional
Centro para la Investigación Forestal Internacional
Abstract
To date, the spatial distribution pattern and density of Brazil nut trees in logged forest stands is unclear across the Amazon basin. We asked the following questions: (1) What are the densities and spatial distributions of Brazil nut juveniles (10 ≤ dbh < 40 cm) and adults (≥ 40 cm dbh) in three selectively logged Brazil nut concessions (1413 ha sampled) in Madre de Dios, Peru; (2) What is the spatial relationship between adults and juveniles (10 ≤ dbh < 30 cm); and (3) What is the spatial relationship between juveniles (10 ≤ dbh <30 cm) and cut stumps (≥ 10 y)? Spatial analyses were conducted using statistics derived from Ripley's K function. Juveniles were aggregated in all three concessions. Results for adult populations rejected the null hypothesis of a random distribution among trees ≥ 40 cm dbh. We did not find an attraction between juveniles and cut-stump locations, nor between adults and juveniles. The strong peaks of aggregation for juveniles and adult Brazil nuts in this study occurred at long distances (300-900 m), suggesting multiple tree canopy gaps as drivers of spatial distribution patterns, either via natural or anthropogenic sources. Our data contribute to a more thorough understanding of Brazil nut population structure in disturbed forests in south-western Amazonia.
Start page
114
End page
127
Volume
33
Issue
2
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Forestal
Agronomía
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85008631570
Source
Journal of Tropical Ecology
ISSN of the container
02664674
Sponsor(s)
Funding text
This work was funded by the United States Agency for International Development and the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry.
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus