Arquitetura foliar como ferramenta para determinação de espécies em áreas sob manejo florestal.

Abstract

Species recognition is problematic in forest inventories, identification techniques that help in the correct distinction of species need to be established to fill this gap. In this study, we verified how leaf architecture can be used as an identification tool for forest inventories. The main objective was identified which common names have association errors with scientific names in a forest management area. And which characteristics of leaf architecture can be used to differentiate species grouped under the same common name. The study was conducted in a forest concession located in the Floresta Estadual do Paru, in the state of Pará, Brazil. Data were selected from ten common names associated with ten highly commercial species. Five presented disagreement in identification, grouping eleven different species. There was high agreement in determining individuals at the genus level (k = 1; agreement = 100%) and moderate reliability at the species level (k = 0.592; agreement = 62%). The common name “curupixá” showed 0% disagreement in association with scientific name. The genera Handroanthus, Micropholis, Hymenolobium and Astronium showed consistent errors in species recognition. The findings suggest that leaf characteristics such as leaf blade shapes, apex, base, venation pattern and morphometry can be used in inventories to improve species identification. With this study, we aim to minimize botanical identification errors of species of great commercial value based on leaf architecture and contribute to the sustainability of forest management plans. Futhermore, it is proposed that studies on leaf architecture be expanded to form consistent knowledge about the morphological differences between species of problematic genera. We emphasize that only accurate identification will guarantee the sustainability of forest management.