DIAMETRIC AND SPATIAL STRUCTURE OF PIQUIAZEIRO IN THE COMMUNITY OF PIQUIATUBA, TAPAJÓS NATIONAL FOREST, WEST OF PARÁ

Abstract

Caryocar villosum (Aubl.) Pers. (Caryocaraceae) is a large tree, native to the Amazon region, popularly known as Piquiá or Piquiazeiro. Its wood and fruit are well known and used in the region, where it is generally collected in an extractive way. The present study aimed to determine the density, spatial and diametric distribution of the C. villosum population in two areas of 25 ha each, in the community of Piquiatuba, located in the Tapajós National Forest (FLONA Tapajós), West of Pará, being an area of secondary forest with greater fruit exploitation and the other area of preserved primary forest. The tree diameters were measured at 1.30 m from the soil, the height of the trees and the distance between tree. In the secondary forest area, 11 individuals with a density of 0.44 individuals per hectare were observed. In the primary forest area only four individuals with density of 0.16 ha individuals were recorded. In both areas there was an aggregate distribution, with predominance of adult individuals (fruit producers), with mean height of 27.60 m (± 7.28 m) in the secondary forest area and 32.08 m (± 5.12 m) in the primary forest area. The diametric structure of the population presents gaps in low-diameter individuals, suggesting difficulty in recruiting. That indicates the need for studies on germination, seed dispersal and seedling development to restore areas of exploitation in the Piquiatuba community.KEYWORDS: Amazonia, Ecology, Forest species.