ASSESSMENT OF FOREST PLANTATIONS IN THREE COMMUNITIES OF THE MIXTECA ALTA OAXAQUEÑA REGION

Abstract

The percentage of survival and growth of forest plantations was assessed in three communities of the
Mixteca Alta Oaxaqueña region, México, in 1158 sites throughout the forest areas, with circular sites of
80 m² (radius 5.04 m) and an intensity of 10 %; data was gathered during the months of July to October, 2013. In order to estimate survival and density in the three communities, the factors of plantation, established surface and age were taken into account. To estimate the growth, the following were considered: age average, height, crown diameter and base diameter of the trees selected, calculating the average quadratic diameter. The curve of the growth behavior in height was obtained in the community of
Tlacotepec Plumas, using the Shumacher model and total average heights of the trees sampled; also,
the curves of the Mean Annual Increment (MAI) and the Current Annual Increment (CAI). The age at
which the mean annual increment (MAI) and the current annual increment (CAI) cross on the behavior
curve calculated was eight years, so the first pre-clearing is recommended at four years (age of the
maximum mean annual increment).