In view of the opening of the tropical wood production market, the Nectandra ferruginous complex (NFC), defined as a group of Nectandra species - N. lanceolata, N. oppositifolia and N. rigida - offers promising prospects, because of its high mercantile value wood and silvicultural potential. The Nectandra species complex is not easily identified, what justifies its management as a whole. They are the first wood species to become abundant in secondary forests in southern Brazil, favored by the opening of small gaps. Demographic studies of this group were carried out in the Ibirama National Forest, to build a foundation for the sustainable management for sawmill wood. In a 38 ha forest, all individuals of the NFC were analyzed in 14 random plots of 40 x 40 m. The spatial distribution of the trees was characterized as well as the sampling and log quality and wood production. The population displayed randomized space distribution and 58% good quality logs. During regeneration, 43 plants/ha were counted, characterizing formation of a seedling bank. Eleven trees/ha (with DBH > 16 cm) can be exploited, representing 3.5 m³ of wood/ha. A 20-year old cut cycle would relieve 7m³ of high quality wood per year. Ten percent of the adult trees presented 3 sprouts per individual indicating potential for a second rotation management. Trees classified as logs of "low quality" (32% of the total) and with DBH > 40 cm can be left as seed-trees. Plant monitoring, auto-ecology studies, and economic analysis are needed to underpin a sustainable management.
Forest management; Lauraceae; tropical woods
