Crown cover as indicator of structural development of riparian areas restoration in the Mid-Paranapanema valley, Brazil

Author(s)

Antônio Carlos Galvão de Melo ^[1] ; Dirceu Lúcio Carneiro de Miranda ^[2] ; Giselda Durigan ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Secretaria de Meio Ambiente do Estado de São Paulo. Instituto Florestal. Floresta Estadual de Assis

^[2] Universidade Federal do Paraná. Departamento de Ciências Florestais

^[3] Secretaria de Meio Ambiente do Estado de São Paulo. Instituto Florestal. Floresta Estadual de Assis

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Revista Árvore; v. 31, n. 2, p. 321-328, 2007-04-00.
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy

Abstract

Much inspection efforts and funds have been expended with the aim of restoring riparian forests, in spite of the absence of clearly defined procedures to assess the reforested areas. In this study, canopy cover is analyzed as an indicator to be easily and precisely applied to evaluate the efficacy in forest restoration. Six reforested areas ranging from one to three years old, located at the Mid-Paranapanema Valey, São Paulo State, Brazil, were included in the structural analysis that supported this study. Crown cover estimated by line interception showed significant correlations with age (r = 8140); height (r = 8002); basal area (r = 7949) and diameter at breast height - DBH (r = 7234) and was considered a suitable indicator to assess the structural evolution of planted riparian forests at the ages comprised by this study (up to 36 months). The best equation for estimating crown cover rate by line interception (Y) as a function of age (X) was determined (Y = a + b / X). Better equations can be obtained if the whole range of ages and site variation are considered. (AU)