Growth acceleration of subtropical tree species through 90 years in an Araucaria Forest

Abstract

Araucaria Forest is considered one of the most important forest formations of Atlantic Forest Biome. Regarding its importance, there is a lack of information  about growth dynamics of its forest species. The present study aimed at to estimate the past growth of selected tree species of Araucaria Forest. Dendrochronological analysis was carried out on non-destructive samples of Araucaria angustifolia, Ocotea porosa, Ilex paraguariensis, Cedrela fissilis, Ocotea puberula and Ocotea pulchella. The average periodic diameter increment until 2006 was approximately 0.5 cm year-1, for A. angustifolia, C. fissilis, O. porosa and O. pulchella. O. puberula and I. paraguariensis presented average periodic diameter increment until 2006 of 0.9 cm year-1 or greater. The  growth rhythm has accelerated since the first decades of last century. It is suggested that this different growth pattern is a consequence of climatic changes throughout the growing period.

doi: 10.4336/2010.pfb.30.64.319