Effect of climate variables on the monthly growth of Pinus taeda and Araucaria angustifolia at young ageAbstract
The objective of this research was to construct curves of yield and current monthly increment (CMI) and analyze the effect of climate variables on the current monthly increment of diameter and height of young Pinus taeda L. and Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze during a three-year period. To this end, 30 trees of each species were selected and had their diameter and height measures taken monthly between June 2006 and July 2009. The climatic variables were obtained from two meteorological stations of SIMEPAR, located near the monitored stands. For growth assessment, curves of current monthly increment and yield were developed. Analysis of correlation matrixes among the studied variables and regression by stepwise process were also carried out. In the growth analysis, higher CMIs were observed between October and February. The correlation matrixes indicated that CMI correlated strongly with temperature, atmospheric pressure and photoperiod. The models adjusted by the stepwise process, including climate variables, showed good fit statistics.
yield curve; current monthly increment; growth modeling; correlation matrix