Evaluation of pine plantations in the Phumphawi micro-watershed, Collana municipality, Aroma province

Abstract

This research evaluated the initial development of a pine plantation in the Phumphawimicro-watershed, analyzing how relief influences its growth and comparing dendrological characteristics between communities and types of relief. The plantation of pine species was evaluated in the first stage of development of the integrated management project of the Phumphawi micro-watershed, in the communities of Collana, San Nicolás and Uncallamaya, Collana municipality, Aroma province. This evaluation was necessary because the project concluded more than a year before the research and the mortality rate was generally high. For this study, dasometric data (diameter, height, quality) were collected through field work in the three communities and then organized. For the statistical analysis, models such as the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and the Kruskal-Wallistest were used. Fifty-four samples were taken in the three communities during one year (March 2021 to February 2022). The dependent variables were height, diameter and robustness index, while the independent variables included geographic area, relief typeand species. The hardiness index was calculated as the ratio of height to root collar diameter. Using a factorial design, the individual and interactive effects of the factors were analyzed. Descriptive analyses and the Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05) revealed significant differences in the characteristics of the plantations according to the type of relief. The results underline the influence of relief and edaphological factors on the dendrological development of pine, highlighting their impact on height, diameter and hardiness index. From the study, it can be affirmed that the growth and hardiness of pine vary according to the type of relief and the community. The values of height and diameter were higher in the plains and gullies, with a predominance of highto regular hardiness indexes.