Incremento periódico anual de carbono e qualidade da copa em um fragmento de mata atlântica

Scientific investigations into carbon accumulation in natural forests are essential for obtaining information that supports the sustainable management of timber resources. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of crown quality on the annual carbon accumulation in trees within a fragment of the Atlantic Forest. A continuous forest inventory involved the establishment of 9 permanent plots, each measuring 400 m². The Annual Periodic Increment (API) of carbon stock was calculated for all trunks. The growth of individuals was analyzed according to the following crown categories: M1 – full crown, with all branches intact; M2 – crown with less than half of the branches broken; and M3 – crown with more than half of the branches broken. A statistically significant effect of crown quality on the API of carbon stock was observed. The estimated reductions in carbon API due to branch breakage were 77.78% for M2 and 86.11% for M3. It was concluded that trees with full crowns, where all branches are intact, exhibit greater potential for carbon accumulation in their trunks.