Use of impulse tomography in the evaluation of Manilkara huberi (maçaranduba) managed of the Amazon rainforest

ABSTRACT

The use of new technologies in forest management, such as impulse tomography, can help in the selection of standing trees and reduce wood waste. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of impulse tomography in Manilkara huberi (maçaranduba) trees managed in the Amazon rainforest (Amazonas, Brazil). A total of 10 trees were selected at the exploration site, and visual assessments and trunk readings were performed with sonic tomography. The graphic simulation of the maçaranduba trees using the PICUS software presented the geometric contours of the studied trunks. The tomographic images revealed heterogeneous tissue due to the variation of pixels in 50% of the trees. The blue color was accentuated in the greater proportion of the wood, which is associated with the reduction in speed that can be interpreted as “tension wood” or even indicative of the presence of hollow trees. The distance traveled by sound propagation in healthy individuals appears to not imply the study, with values above 1421.72 m/s indicating healthy individuals. The results obtained in this research provide important answers for the sustainability of forest management in the Amazon and reduce unnecessary felling of unwanted individuals (with hollows, degraded), thereby significantly reducing the generation of waste.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Amazonian woods
• maçaranduba
• non-destructive methodology
• propagation speed
• tree stem

Acknowledgements

The authors are indebted to Precious Woods Amazon Ltda. in Itacoatiara (Amazonas, Brazil) for cooperation during the study and Ana Julia O. Godoy for reviewing the English text.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).