DENDROMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OF Dicksonia sellowiana Hook. IN AN Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze STAND

Due to its history of exploitation and intensive use in landscaping, the Dicksonia sellowiana Hook. (Dicksoniaceae) is currently one of the Brazilian flora endangered species. The Parana State laws prohibit its extraction; however, there is no research to support future management plans. This work characterized the natural occurrence of D. Sellowiana in an Araucaria angustifolia stand in the municipality of Rio Negro, Parana State, using dendrometric variables after silvicultural intervention (clipping). D. sellowiana individuals (714) taller than the commercial height of 0.50 m were randomly sampled and assigned to the following treatments: plots with undipped plants (TO), plots with plants clipped in the measurement (T1), and plots with plants clipped two years before in the measurement (T2). The variables analyzed were: density of the individuals/ha and plots, total and commercial caudex height (m), crown height (m), base diameter, crown (cm) and frond (m), diameters, individual and total commercial volume. It was found significant difference between T1 and T2 for total height; between T2 and TO and between T2 of T1 for crown and from diameters, individual commercial volume; between TO and T1 and between TO and T2 for total commercial volume. The variables that characterized better the silvicultural interventions were the density of individuals and the total height. The occurred interventions revealed its importance for the management of the D. sellowiana because it favors the regeneration of the young plants for the conservation of the species, and benefits the development of the adult plants for its commercial exploitation.