Abstract

CHAVEZ-ROMERO, Dulce María; AGUILAR-RODRIGUEZ, Silvia  and  TERRAZAS, Teresa. Anatomical variation in Quercus obtusata (Fagaceae) wood. Madera bosques [online]. 2010, vol.16, n.2, pp.69-87. ISSN 2448-7597.

Wood of Quercus obtusata is described and the variation of nine quantitative wood characters is evaluated through tree height and diameter, elevation and 11 climatic parameters in four sites. Pearson correlation showed that only the narrow vessel element length is significantly correlated with tree height (r_p = 0,70, p <0,02). The principal component analysis revealed that three components explain 76,46% of the total variation and ten variables are those with the highest loadings. Moreover, this analysis segregated the localities due to altitude and some climatic variables as for temperature and rainfall throughout the year, which have an effect on vessel elements length, as well as on fibres length and wall thickness. The driest locality, Arcos del Sitio, and in that of higher elevation, Santa Ana Jilotzingo, have the shortest vessel elements with wider diameter (561 µm and 552 µm respectively) than the most humid environment, Santa Catarina (621 µm). The fibres neither diminish in size with the elevation nor increase with tree height. The analyses suggest that the microclimatic parameters of each location need to be accounted when recommendations for Q. obtusata wood used as raw material or in reforestation programs are given.

Keywords : Principal components; anatomical correlation; vessel elements; environmental gradient.

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