A growth model for secondary forest in Central Amazonia

A comprehensive stand level growth model for secondary forest in the Central Amazon is presented. The model has been established for a study site in the Tapajós region for secondary forest of an age up to ca. 35 years. The Bertalanffy-Chapman-Richards equation is applied in a state space approach: a set of differential equations is fitted by nonlinear least-squares to observed stand level growth data in top height, tree density and basal area. Other forest variables are derived by auxiliary relationships to the state variables. The observed growth patterns are first modeled, and then discussed. All fitted coefficients of the growth and increment functions are provided along with a growth table. This study counts with a usual data record for Central Amazonia and presents the first comprehensive growth model for secondary forests in the region. The results are basic data on forest growth and its patterns that are of utmost importance in many ecological contexts.