The Amazon flood plain forest tree Maquira coriacea (Karsten) C.C. Berg: aspects of ecology and management

Maquira coriacea is a commercial tree species growing throughout the Amazon flood plain forests. Densities up to 14/ha of individuals, ≥10 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) were observed, corresponding to a basal area of 2 m2/ha and a volume of 38 m3/ha. The primary period of fruiting coincided with the annual flooding, but fruits were also produced in other parts of the year. Seedlings with densities up to 150/m2 were concentrated around mother trees, and the stocks fluctuated much over the year due to mortality caused by flooding and wilting in dry periods. Growth data mainly from nine 1 ha permanent sample plots were used to develop models of the height–diameter relationship and diameter increment. These relationships indicated that the optimal felling limit for maximum volume production was 120–130 cm DBH, which can be obtained in 150–260 years. Since seed production has been observed in much smaller individuals, such diameter limits should not be detrimental to regeneration.