Biomasa y carbono en plantaciones de Terminalia amazonia en la zona Sur de Costa Rica

Biomass and carbon in Terminalia amazonia plantations in the South of Costa Rica.The study was carried out in a spacing trial with an experimental design consisting ofrandomized complete blocks, with three treatments and three replicates. Treatmentswere 2 m x 2 m (2500 trees/ha), 2.5 m x 2.5 m (1.600 trees/ha) and 3 m x 3 m (1111trees/ha). The trial is located in Mogos, Osa Peninsula, Puntarenas, Costa Rica.Results at 10 years of age indicate significant differences between treatments. Thesedifferences suggest that the stand density of 1600 trees/ha is the best option tomaximize diameter growth and total height, as well as a greater yield of Terminaliaamazonia. Results of wood density found in this study are similar to those reported inthe literature (0.70 g/cm3). The biomass expansion factor (BEF) for this plantation issimilar to that reported for natural forests. The factor to calculate the BEF for anindividual tree is 1.3, and 1.2 per hectare. The allometric models adjusted for predicting biomass on the different tree components in relation to dbh had a satisfactoryadjustment. The determination coefficients explained an average of 93% of datavariability. The carbon fraction determined for the tree components of T. amazonia, aswell as the different spacings, did not show a significant variation. The average valuesfor stem, branches and foliage were 0.48, 0.43, and 0.42, respectively. Theaboveground biomass per tree component under the 3 m x 3 m spacing differed fromthe other two treatments. Dry biomass production was greater at 1600 trees/ha density.The carbon stored by different tree components at the age of 10 years suggests that T.amazonia stores carbon in a more efficient manner under the 2.5 m x 2.5 m spacing(1600 trees/ha), with a rate of 4.9 Mg/ha/year.