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Growth Rates of Natural Amazonian Forest Trees Based on Radiocarbon Measurements

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

A A Mozeto ,
Peter Fritz ,
M Z Moreira ,
E Vetter ,
Ramon Aravena ,
Eneas Salati  and
R J Drimmie
A A Mozeto
Affiliation:
Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Departamento de Química, Caixa Postal 676, 13560—Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil
Peter Fritz
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo, Department of Earth Sciences, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
M Z Moreira
Affiliation:
Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Caixa Postal 96, 13400-Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
E Vetter
Affiliation:
Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Centro de Pesquisas de Produtos Florestais, Caixa Postal 478, 69000—Manaus, AM, Brazil
Ramon Aravena
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo, Department of Earth Sciences, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
Eneas Salati
Affiliation:
Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Caixa Postal 96, 13400-Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
R J Drimmie
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo, Department of Earth Sciences, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
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Abstract

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Evergreen trees in the tropical rain forest of the Amazonas Basin can produce growth rings which are not necessarily related to annual events. Therefore, estimation of growth rate cannot be done by dendrochronology. This report presents a technique for determining the growth rate of these trees based on radiocarbon measurements of two segments of equal radial distance from the outer part of the tree trunk. The measured 14C activity is compared to local 14C fallout and growth rates are derived from models taking into account bomb 14C effects. Eleven trees from various parts of the Amazon Basin were analyzed. The average growth rates range from ca 5 to > 40 yr per centimeter corresponding to extrapolated ages from ca 60 to > 400 yr.

Type
Research Article
Information
Radiocarbon , Volume 30 , Issue 1 , 1988 , pp. 1 - 6
Copyright
Copyright © The American Journal of Science 

References

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