Abstract

CANALES-SPRINGETT, Ayling Wetzell; CERONI STUVA, Aldo; DOMINGUEZ TORREJON, Gilberto  and  CASTILLO QUILIANO, Andrés. The effect of light on the natural regeneration of Uncaria guianensis (Aubl.) J.F. Gmel, "Cat's Claw", in a secondary forest at the "Bosque Nacional Alexander Von Humboldt", Pucallpa - Peru. Ecol. apl. [online]. 2013, vol.12, n.2, pp.111-120. ISSN 1726-2216.

The following research was carried out within the area around the Alexander Von Humboldt National Forest BNAVH, belonging to the districts of Irazola, Tournavista and Puerto Inca in the provinces of Padre Abad and Puerto Inca at Huanuco and Ucayali regions respectively. The aim was to evaluate how climatic factors, specifically light, influence the natural regeneration of Uncaria guianensis (Aubl.) J.F. Gmel., (Cat's Claw) in natural secondary forests, located inside and outside of the BNAVH. The evaluation was conducted in three types of secondary forest characterized by age or time of establishment thereof, within which semi-permanent plots were established for evaluation. In each one, Uncaria biological variables were measured in respect to how much light reached the understory. We observed that in these forest types more than 1000 individuals of natural regeneration in good phytosanitary conditions can be found per ha, with average diameters of 13 mm. Respect to height, we found 160 individuals ranging from 30 to 90 cm; 160 ranging from 90 to 150 cm; 220 ranging from 150 to 210 cm and 610 ranging over 2 m. The average light percentage found in these forests is very similar, but exceeds by almost 6% the value reported by other authors for rainforests. To evaluate the average light percenjage reaching the understory, data were taken in plots located within secondary forest with three different kinds of age or successional stage; one of three years old, another of six years and another with over eight years. These forests were classified by age because the younger had higher percentages of light (%) in the understory.

Keywords : National Forest; lighting; Uncaria guianensis; cat's claw; natural regeneration.

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