Climatic Parameters and Diameter Increment of Forest Species in Alluvial Forest in Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT This study aims to evaluate the periodicity of trunk diameter increment of Sebastiania commersoniana and the two invasive exotic tree species, Hovenia dulcis and Ligustrum lucidum, in a remnant area of Alluvial Mixed Rain Forest at Araucaria, Paraná. We selected individuals of the different species present from canopy and understory. Dendrometric bands were installed in all individuals, which were monitored monthly, from July 2009 to June 2012. The monthly and annual current increments were correlated with precipitation and temperature. Exotic species and canopy individuals presented increment higher than native species, which had low variation in the year, and understory individuals. Significant correlations were obtained between the increment diameter and temperature and precipitation, showing diameter growth of the species is mostly conditioned by the meteorological conditions.