Current knowledge on overall post-logging biomass dynamics in Northern Amazonian forests

Plinio Sist (1) , Lilian Blanc (1, 2) , Lucas Mazzei (3) , Christopher Baraloto (4) , Raphael Aussenac (5)

1 UPR BSEF - Biens et services des écosystèmes forestiers tropicaux : l'enjeu du changement global
2 UPR BSef - Biens et services des écosystèmes forestiers tropicaux
3 Belem
4 ECOFOG - Ecologie des forêts de Guyane
5 ECOFOG - Ecologie des forêts de Guyane

This article presents the effects of logging on the dynamics of above-ground biomass from the results of the post-logging study within two forests: Cikel in Eastern Para, Brazil and Paracou in French Guiana. The main objective is to compare the impact of commercial logging on the regeneration of the above-ground biomass in these forests whose characteristics differ in terms of structure and growth. In both sites, the intensity of exploitation is a key factor in determining the loss of biomass and the time required for its regeneration. In Paracou, the regeneration of biomass lost during conventional logging of 10 trees per hectare takes 45 years and more than 100 years when operating with higher intensity (21 trees/ha). In Cikei the forest biomass regenerates after 49 years harvesting 6 trees/ha and that takes 87 years after removal of 8 trees/ha. This regeneration needs similar time on both sites but with lower logging intensity at Cikel, in which felled trees are larger with a greater biomass than those of Paracou. This post-logging study has established a direct correlation of the dynamics of the biomass with the initial structure of the forest, as well as with the parameters of forest dynamics: mortality, growth and recruitment. The accumulation of biomass by the tree growth of the two remaining stands is a key parameter for the net carbon storage, while the contribution of recruitment in Paracou becomes significant only after 10 years after felling. Therefore in view to improve the growth of residual trees, it is compulsory to apply adequate silvicultural treatments such as selective thinning or removal of vines. While the two forests are geographically close enough, their regenerative abilities differ and because of the significant difference in size of the trees, the forest could tolerate more intensive harvesting in French Guiana

Mots clés: above ground-biomass; logging impact; silviculture; Amazonian rainforests; WOOD DENSITY; SILVICULTURAL TREATMENTS; TROPICAL FORESTS; CARBON STOCKS; GROWTH-RATES; RAIN-FOREST; PATTERNS; BALANCE; TREES

Domaines: Sciences agricoles

Plinio Sist, Lilian Blanc, Lucas Mazzei, Christopher Baraloto, Raphael Aussenac. Current knowledge on overall post-logging biomass dynamics in Northern Amazonian forests. Bois et Forêts des Tropiques, 2012, (4) (314), pp.41 - 49. ⟨hal-01032427⟩