Abstract

VILLANUEVA DIAZ, José et al. Age and diameter jump estimation: a comparison between field and dendrochronological procedures. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2025, vol.16, n.88, pp.52-73.  Epub May 16, 2025. ISSN 2007-1132.  https://doi.org/10.29298/rmcf.v16i88.1505.

The aerial biomass in temperate forests of Mexico is determined in the field, where age and radial growth are important variables involved in this process; however, its determination is usually inaccurate. The objective of this study was to compare the age estimated by eye ring counting (field method) in comparison to the age determined by dendrochronological techniques for two pine species, Pinus arizonica (Pa), and Pinus cembroides (Pc). A systematic sampling design was used to select 25 Pa and 17 Pc trees in the municipality of Riva Palacio, Chihuahua state. Trees were felled and cross-sections obtained at different heights along the stem. Age of each cross-section was determined by the field method and alternatively by dendrochronological techniques. The average difference in years for cross-sections of Pa was 16 years (SD=6.9) and 100 years for Pc (SD=73.4). In terms of diameter jump age for the last 5.0 cm, the results indicated an annual radial growth rate of 0.25 cm year-1 and 0.12 cm year-1 for Pa and Pc, respectively. The “t” test for the estimated ages showed significant difference (p<0.01) among age estimation methods and species. Age determination with the field method for different diameter-size classes is inaccurate and overestimate aboveground biomass, particularly for slow-growing species such as Pinus cembroides.

Keywords : Aboveground biomass; forest biometry; dendrochronology; age; radial increment; diameter jump age.

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