New allometric models for Brazilian native timber species: a pathway to promote large-scale forest restoration and sustainable timber production

• Grant number: 24/16865-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Forestry Resources and Forestry Engineering - Forestry
• Principal Investigator: Vinicius Castro Souza
• Grantee: João Paulo Bispo Santos
• Supervisor: Mark S Ashton
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Yale School Of The Environment, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/14695-0 - Economic feasibility and silvicultural potential of native timber species from Brazilian Atlantic Forest, BP.DR

Abstract

Forest restoration is essential to mitigate biodiversity loss, climate change and ecosystem degradation. Despite its importance, scaling up restoration efforts faces significant challenges, particularly socio-economic barriers. In this context, nature-based solutions, such as sustainable native wood production in restoration plantations, offer a promising approach by integrating ecological and socio-economic benefits. Therefore, the main objective of this research project is to parameterize species-specific allometric models for three native timber species (Hymenaea courbaril L., Handroanthus impetiginosus (Mart. Ex DC.) Mattos, and Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub.) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF). These models will support multifunctional forest restoration plantations to improve ecological functions, biodiversity conservation and sustainable timber production while promote large-scale restoration programs. Firstly, a forest inventory was conducted to measure and identify all individuals from each native timber species at the Experimental Station of Forest Sciences, University of São Paulo, Anhembi, SP. The cross-section of twelve trees per species were collected for growth measurements. Tree ring data will be used to calculate growth rates such as diameter, volume, mean annual increment (MAI), current annual increment (CAI), and harvest cycle, among others. From this, species-specific allometric models will be developed using these growth data and evaluated using statistical techniques to ensure accuracy and reliability. We expect this project to provide accurate data on growth rates, commercial rotation lengths, and yield information for the three native timber species studied. The results will inform effective forest management strategies, promote sustainable timber production to alleviate pressure on remaining forests, and improve the financial viability of restoration projects generating profits that are attractive to key stakeholders (e.g., local communities, governments, and entrepreneurs) and financing large-scale restoration practices.