Análise dos anéis de crescimento de Schizolobium parahyba da Amazônia peruana

Abstract

Growth rings formation in the wood of trees is closely related to environmental conditions and climate. Dendrochronological studies in tropical and subtropical regions are important to better understand climatic phenomena such as El Niño and the dynamics of forests. The aim of this study was to determine the chronology of S. parahyba trees, and their relationship with the El Niño phenomenon in Peruvian Amazônia. We used four S. parahyba individuals taken from Madre de Dios department, Peru, from which four radial samples of the trunk of each individual were collected by the non-destructive method using a Pressler probe. The samples were polished in order to improve the visualization of growth rings and to measure the width of the rings later. In order to synchronize the ring width, the statistical program COFECHA was used. We also used the ARSTAN program to generate the chronology master series. The four individuals showed to be 07 years old. The species presents rings of distinct growth, characterized by the presence of marginal parenchyma and fibrous zones. A considerable decrease in ring width was observed in the years of 2009 and 2015. This reduction may be related to the more severe events of El Niño. That information evidences an excellent dendrochronological potential confirmed by intercorrelation (0.75) of the growth rings width between trees.