Decline in Giant Tree Numbers: Status Report for Santa Catarina State and Perspectives for Brazil

ABSTRACT Loss of large trees due to indiscriminate timber cutting and opening of new areas for human use is a global problem. Brazil is well known for tree species richness within its extensive forested areas composed of various biomes. Giant trees are “key” to recognize the original forest structure. Decline of their populations in Brazil may be estimated by comparing data of the National Forest Inventory (NFI) with those of regional data and other surveys. In fact, Santa Catarina is the first state in Brazil to have currently completed its forest inventory. However, only few large trees were sampled systematically. Recognition of the maximum tree growth is important for their ecological management and tourism potential. Public policies for cataloging and management of these resources must be developed before it is too late.

摘要 滥伐林木与开辟人类活动新区域导致的大型林木丧失是全球性问题。巴西境内森林广袤，分布多样生物群系，林木物种丰富度享誉全球。巨型树木是辨识原始森林结构的关键要素。可通过对比国家森林清查（National Forest Inventory, NFI）的数据与区域数据及其他调查资料，估算巴西境内巨型林木种群的衰退情况。事实上，圣卡塔琳娜州是巴西目前首个完成全域森林清查的州，但该州仅对极少数大型林木开展了系统抽样调查。明确林木的最大生长量，对其生态管理及旅游开发潜力评估均具有重要意义。相关部门需尽快制定针对这类资源的编目与管理公共政策，以免为时已晚。