GENTRYANA

Contributions to the Taxonomy of Pitcairnia riparia: New reports on its geographical distribution and morphological details

Marisela Analu Rojas-Fernandez, José Luis Marcelo-Peña — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this study digitized specimens from the HAO and MO herbaria were examined, and measurements were made on fresh and dry material using standard morphological terminology. Specialized sources were consulted to complement and update the original description and distribution of Pitcairnia riparia Mez. As a result, additional previously unreported morphological characteristics were identified, including dense leaf pubescence, variations in petal coloration, and details of filaments, anthers, ovary, stigma, and fruit. In addition, the known distribution of the species in northern Peru is extended.

Composition, structure and diversity of trees in the high terrace forest at the Finca Las Piedras research center, southeastern Peruvian Amazonia

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In methodologies such as RAINFOR for permanent plots, one of the most relevant considerations is "location," leading to their installation primarily in protected natural areas. This study characterized the high-terrace Brazil nut forest at the Finca Las Piedras research center, a private conservation area in Madre de Dios, Peru. The permanent plot "FLP-01" was established as part of ForestPlot.net, using RAINFOR. FLP-01 had 549 individuals of 173 species, in 106 genera and 48 families; the most important species were *Bertholletia excelsa*, *Siparuna decipiens*, and *Protium altissimum*. In horizontal structure, 67.2% of individuals were between 10-19.9 cm in diameter, and vertically, 76.5% were found between 10-20 m in height. Floristic diversity was high: Shannon (4.79), Fisher's alpha (87.06), and Chao 1 estimated 313 possible species. It is concluded that FLP-01 has high floristic diversity, but is not taxonomically similar to other more studied areas (Manu and Tambopata); factors such as soil type, geographic location, and phytosociology (sympatry) could influence this.

Site index for forest plantations of Handroanthus serratifolius in Ucayali, Perú

Ymber Flores Bendezú — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

This study developed, for the first time, a site index model for Handroanthus serratifolius ("yellow tahuarí") in the Ucayali region of Peru, aiming to assess its productivity in forest plantations. Data on dominant height and age were collected from 123 trees distributed across 11 experimental sites. The Schumacher (exponential) and Chapman-Richards (sigmoidal) models, both widely used in forest modeling, were applied. The base age was set at 15 years. The models were fitted using nonlinear regression and evaluated using statistical indicators such as R², RMSE, AIC, and BIC. The Chapman-Richards model showed better predictive performance (R² = 0.83; RMSE = 1.77 m), more accurately capturing the species' sigmoidal growth. Anamorphic site index curves were generated, which are useful for comparing site quality among plantations. The results provide key tools for the sustainable forest planning of H. serratifolius, enabling its application in forest management, restoration, and utilization programs in the Peruvian Amazon.