Logging in bamboo-dominated forests in southwestern Amazonia: Caveats and opportunities for smallholder forest management

• Published in: Forest ecology and management 2014-03, Vol.315, p.202-210
• Main Authors: Rockwell, Cara A., Kainer, Karen A., d’Oliveira, Marcus Vinicio Neves, Staudhammer, Christina L., Baraloto, Christopher
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Bamboo; Biological and medical sciences; Community forest management; Forest management; Forest management. Stand types and stand dynamics. Silvicultural treatments. Tending of stands. Natural regeneration; Forestry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Guadua; Life Sciences; Logging; Synecology; Terrestrial ecosystems; Timber management; Tropical forest
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2013.12.022

•No changes in taxonomic composition, AGB, and seedling density in logged bamboo-dominated forest.•Low estimates of commercial timber volume in logged and unlogged bamboo-dominated forests.•Diverse NTFP taxonomic composition potentially allows for multiple use forestry practices. Guadua sarcocarpa and Guadua weberbaueri (Poaceae: Bambuseae) have a negative influence on tree regeneration and recruitment in bamboo-dominated forests of southwestern Amazonia. The lack of advanced regeneration and sparse canopy in this forest type present a considerable challenge for developing sustainable timber management plans. We conducted field studies in the Porto Dias Agroextractive Settlement Project in Acre, Brazil to assess influences of logging in bamboo-dominated forest sites. Taxonomic composition, stand structure, aboveground biomass, commercial timber volume, and commercial tree seedling and bamboo culm density were compared between five logged vs. unlogged sites in different landholdings, using modified 0.5ha Gentry plots. No differences in taxonomic composition, aboveground biomass, adult and juvenile stem density, or woody seedling and bamboo culm density were detected between paired logged and unlogged sites. Commercial timber volume, however, was reduced by almost two-thirds in logged plots, suggesting that long-term timber management goals in this forest type are compromised since so few future crop trees remained onsite. Our findings indicate that in order to maximize local management objectives, community forest managers must approach logging in bamboo-dominated forests with caution. We suggest an integration of non-timber forest product extraction with low harvest intensity and low-impact logging, tending of natural regeneration, and diversification of commercial species.