Regeneración natural de especies arbóreas para el establecimiento de sistemas silvopastoriles

Obtaining trees through natural regeneration seems to be an altemative to planting during the establishment of silvopastoral systems on degraded Jand in the Peruvian Amazon. The objectives of this study were to identify the major tree species and quantify growth and survival of trees from natural regeneration during the establishment of silvopastoral systems on 7 years old secondary forest at four farms along the Pucallpa-Lima road. Tree species were identified in January 1994. Growth and survival were quantified from February 1994 to July 1995. About 87 tree species from natural regeneration were identified, with the most frequent belonging to the families Combretaceae, Boraginaceae, Mimosaceae, Meliaceae, Bignoniaceae, Annonaceae, Bombacaceae, and Ulmaceae. Promissory tree species in terms of frequency, vigor, noninterference with planted tree species, and potential economic value are añallu caspi (Cordia ucayalensis), topa (Ochroma piramidale), tahuarí amarillo (Tabebuia serratifolia), and atadijo (Trema micrantha). These trees regenerated from true seed, from regrowth, or both. Average frequency of the prornissory trees was 42 plants/ha, anda survival rate of 86%. These values suggest the importance of natural regeneration as an altemative to planting in the establishment of silvopastoral systems.