Variação temporal do estoque de carbono e volume de madeira em um fragmento de cerrado sensu stricto

Abstract

Brazilian Cerrado is considered a global hotspot and it is threatened by the expansion of agricultural and forestry activities. This study aimed to evaluate the temporal variation of tree carbon stock and wood volume in a Cerrado sensu stricto remnant, in the Minas Gerais state, with inventories in the years of 1993, 2000 and 2009. Data were collected by systematically laying sample plots of 20 x 20 m. The sampling criterion was the measurement of all tree individuals with diameter at 1,30 meters of soil (DBH) ≥ 5 cm. At the same time, the total height was measured. The carbon stock (ton) and total wood volume with bark (m3) were calculated for each measurement year. It was calculated the periodic annual increment (PAI). The temporal variations for each area were tested by t paired test. The results showed carbon stocks in the tree trunk varying between 11.51 and 34.52 t.ha-1 during the period considered, whereas wood volume varied from 41.75 and 116.78 m³.ha-1. The PAI to carbon was 1.40 ton.year-1 considering an interval of seven years and 1.47 ton.year-1 to nine years. The volume PAI for the intervals was 4.31 m3.year-1 and 4.99 m3.year-1. The fluctuations in the intervals represent significant changes in the carbon stock and the volume of wood according to the t test. The gains in terms of carbon and volume enhance the importance of these vegetation remnants as carbon sinks, playing a key role in mitigating anthropogenic climate changes.