TY - JOUR

T1 - Spatial distribution of Bertholletia excelsa in selectively logged forests of the Peruvian Amazon

AU - Rockwell, Cara A.

AU - Guariguata, Manuel R.

AU - Menton, Mary

AU - Arroyo Quispe, Eriks

AU - Quaedvlieg, Julia

AU - Warren-Thomas, Eleanor

AU - Fernandez Silva, Harol

AU - Jurado Rojas, Edwin Eduardo

AU - Hideki Kohagura Arrunategui, Jose Andres

AU - Meza Vega, Luis Alberto

AU - Quenta Hancco, Roger

AU - Revilla Vera, Olivia

AU - Valera Tito, Jonatan Frank

AU - Villarroel Panduro, Betxy Tabita

AU - Yucra Salas, Juan Jose

PY - 2017/3/1

Y1 - 2017/3/1

N2 - To date, the spatial distribution pattern and density of Brazil nut trees in logged forest stands is unclear across the Amazon basin. We asked the following questions: (1) What are the densities and spatial distributions of Brazil nut juveniles (10 ≤ dbh < 40 cm) and adults (≥ 40 cm dbh) in three selectively logged Brazil nut concessions (1413 ha sampled) in Madre de Dios, Peru; (2) What is the spatial relationship between adults and juveniles (10 ≤ dbh < 30 cm); and (3) What is the spatial relationship between juveniles (10 ≤ dbh <30 cm) and cut stumps (≥ 10 y)? Spatial analyses were conducted using statistics derived from Ripley's K function. Juveniles were aggregated in all three concessions. Results for adult populations rejected the null hypothesis of a random distribution among trees ≥ 40 cm dbh. We did not find an attraction between juveniles and cut-stump locations, nor between adults and juveniles. The strong peaks of aggregation for juveniles and adult Brazil nuts in this study occurred at long distances (300–900 m), suggesting multiple tree canopy gaps as drivers of spatial distribution patterns, either via natural or anthropogenic sources. Our data contribute to a more thorough understanding of Brazil nut population structure in disturbed forests in south-western Amazonia.

AB - To date, the spatial distribution pattern and density of Brazil nut trees in logged forest stands is unclear across the Amazon basin. We asked the following questions: (1) What are the densities and spatial distributions of Brazil nut juveniles (10 ≤ dbh < 40 cm) and adults (≥ 40 cm dbh) in three selectively logged Brazil nut concessions (1413 ha sampled) in Madre de Dios, Peru; (2) What is the spatial relationship between adults and juveniles (10 ≤ dbh < 30 cm); and (3) What is the spatial relationship between juveniles (10 ≤ dbh <30 cm) and cut stumps (≥ 10 y)? Spatial analyses were conducted using statistics derived from Ripley's K function. Juveniles were aggregated in all three concessions. Results for adult populations rejected the null hypothesis of a random distribution among trees ≥ 40 cm dbh. We did not find an attraction between juveniles and cut-stump locations, nor between adults and juveniles. The strong peaks of aggregation for juveniles and adult Brazil nuts in this study occurred at long distances (300–900 m), suggesting multiple tree canopy gaps as drivers of spatial distribution patterns, either via natural or anthropogenic sources. Our data contribute to a more thorough understanding of Brazil nut population structure in disturbed forests in south-western Amazonia.

KW - Brazil nut

KW - multiple-use forest management

KW - Ripley's K

KW - smallholder

KW - spatial patterns

KW - timber extraction

U2 - 10.1017/S0266467416000614

DO - 10.1017/S0266467416000614

M3 - Article

VL - 33

SP - 114

EP - 127

JO - Journal of Tropical Ecology

JF - Journal of Tropical Ecology

SN - 0266-4674

IS - 2

ER -