Retrospective analyses via dendrochronology for an improved understanding and more effective management of dry tropical forests (DENTROPICAS)

Jesús Julio Camarero Martínez, Emilia Gutiérrez Merino, Pieter Alle Zuidema, Lourens Poorter, Ute Sass-Klaassen, Marielos Peña Claros, Bonifacio mostacedo Calatayud, María Argenis Bonilla Gómez, Carlos Iván Espinosa Íñiguez.

Most of the tropical forest land is under exploitation and proper management is essential to conserve its vast biological wealth. This project seeks to generate scientific and applied knowledge at the service of the sustainable forestry management of these woods.

It takes the novel approach of combining studies of wood anatomy and growth rings through the medium of dendrochronology with the use of matrix models based on growth data. By quantifying growth and estimating ages we can improve our knowledge of the dynamics of the tropical forests under study in relation to the functional ecology of resident species. The ultimate goal is to contribute usefully to the management and conservation of dry tropical forests by providing novel insights into their ecology.