The recovery of logged forests proves that a viable management is possible in the Venezuelan Guayana Shield

• Lozada, José R. ^[1] ; Carrero, Yrma A. ^[2] ; Durán, Mariano ^[3] ; Soriano, Pilar ^[4]
  1. [1] Forestry Development Research Institute, Forestry and Environmental Sciences Faculty, Los Andes University, Mérida 5101, Venezuela
  2. [2] MSc Program on Forest Management, Forestry and Environmental Sciences Faculty, Los Andes University, Mérida 5101, Venezuela
  3. [3] Forest Management Department, Forestry and Environmental Sciences Faculty, Los Andes University, Mérida 5101, Venezuela
  4. [4] Botanic Garden, Valencia University, Valencia 46008, Spain

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• Localización: Forest systems, ISSN 2171-5068, ISSN-e 2171-9845, Vol. 31, Nº. 3, 2022
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Aim of study: To compare the diversity and biomass of logged forests, with different ages after harvesting and the risk of their degradation to liana forests.

    Area of study: We studied 18 plots at the central zone of the Imataca Forest Reserve (Guayana shield), Venezuela.

    Material and methods: We used 1-ha plots, to measure individuals with dbh > 10 cm in control plots (0 years) and in logged plots with 3, 9, 12, 15 and 18 years after logging. The main variables evaluated were enlarge importance index (EII), richness (R), Shannon-Weaner index (H´), Alpha Fischer (α), basal area for commercial species (BA_comm), above-ground carbon (C) and lianas abundance at the understory (Lianas_%Au).

    Main results: Diversity variables (R: 62-77 spp ha-1, p: 0.117-0.838; H´: 2.8-3.4, p: 0.181-0.677; α: 18.6-25.4, p: 0.293-0.922) and biomass (89.6-180.2 MgC ha-1, p: 0.171-0.895) did not have significant differences between control and most of the logged plots. Only the 18 years-old forests had statistically higher values of diversity (R: 81-94 spp ha-1, p: 0.000; H´: 3.8-3.9, p: 0.000; α: 26.8-31.7, p: 0.000), perhaps due to a high impact skidding operation. Commercial species were not recovering after logging.

    Research highlights: Forest management can be viable in this area, but it requires reduced impact logging techniques and better silvicultural systems to guarantee future harvest of high value commercial timber.