Determinación del factor de forma de Pinus radiata d. Don en la parroquia Sicalpa, cantón Colta, provincia de Chimborazo

Abstract

There is currently no official information on the form factors of the species Pinus radiata in the study area. The lack of precise information on the form factor constitutes a significant limitation in forest planning and management efficiency, especially in calculating wood volumes with greater accuracy in the plantations of said place. Therefore, the objective of the present investigation was to determine the form factor of Pinus radiata D. Don in the Sicalpa parish, Colta canton, Chimborazo province. The methodology implemented had a quantitative approach. A non-experimental cross-sectional design was used because the described variables were not manipulated, and it was developed at a specific time. The study population was the 4-hectare Pinus radiata plantation, where data such as diameter at breast height (DBH), diameter at half of the total tree, and height were measured. Subsequently, Schiffel's formula was applied to find the shape factor, the diameter classes were established, and the corresponding type of wood was identified. Finally, the timber volume in the plantation was calculated considering the shape factor found. It was determined that there are 7 diameter classes at the study site with an average shape factor of 0.69. The statistical analysis showed that there are significant differences between some diameter classes. Thin and thick wood were identified, and a total wood volume of 859.4 m3 was determined. In conclusion, most of the trees in the plantation belong to diameter classes of less than 20 cm, representing more than 70% of the total, which suggests that the plantation was not adequately managed during its development.