Abstract

FOROUGHBAKHCH, Rahim et al. Structural analysis and performance of Helietta parvifolia (Gray) Benth in southeastern Nuevo Leon, Mexico. INCI [online]. 2003, vol.28, n.11, pp.651-655. ISSN 0378-1844.

In rural zones of Mexico the demand for timber and forest products continues to increase. Efforts are being made to meet the demand for timber by raising compensatory man-made plantations. At present, attention is given to growing indigenous premium quality hardwood species. One of the promising indigenous species among various fuelwood species is Helietta parvifolia (Rutaceae), which occurs naturally in the dry and subtropical zones of northeastern Mexico. This paper describes its structure, growth characteristics and economic yield in northeastern Mexico. H. parvifolia was sampled in seven study sites of native vegetation. The average population density was 1210 plants per ha. Three strata were found: a low stratum along with subchaparral less than 3m in height and a DBH (diameter at breast height) less than 3cm; a chaparral stratum with 3-5m height (3-6cm DBH) and a third stratum higher than 6m in height and 7-12cm in DBH. The economic yield was 1455 fence posts per ha, with a DBH superior to 7cm, corresponding to an income of US$ 1892 per ha.

Keywords : Firewood; Helietta parvifolia; Semiarid lands; Yield.