Small scale ecological zoning of Distrito Federal, Brazil, for traditional forest species

Abstract

This study evaluated biophysical variables to identify suitable areas of the Distrito Federal for planting traditional tree species. The studied tree species included Pinus caribaea Morelet var. caribaea, P. caribaea Morelet var. hondurensis (Sénécl.) W. H. G. Barrett & Golfari, P. caribaea Morelet var. bahamensis (Griseb.) W. H. G. Barrett & Golfari, P. elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii, Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh., E. urophylla S. T. Blake, E. grandis W. Hill, Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K. D. Hill & L. A. S. Johnson (ex Eucalyptus citriodora), C. torelliana (F. Muell.) K. D. Hill & L. A. S. Johnson (ex Eucalyptus torelliana), Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Müll. Arg. and Tectona grandis L. f. Suitable areas for the studied tree species were identified by overlapping biophysical variables of the Distrito Federal, wich included adaptive tree requirements and site characteristics. Based on this research results, the territory of the study area is suitable for cultivation of three varieties of Pinus caribaea, P. elliottii var. elliottii, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. urophylla, E. grandis and Corymbia citriodora. There were no suitable areas for cultivation of Corymbia torelliana, Hevea brasiliensis and Tectona grandis.