Radiocarbon estimates of age and growth for a dominant Amazon palm species

We used destructive sampling to assess 14C-calibrated age and growth of five individuals Oenocarpus bataua from 7.35 21.6 m total height. The largest individual was 59-year-old. Age decreased the collar top aboveground stem positively correlated with number leaf-scars Utilizamos amostragem destrutiva e datação por 14C para avaliar a idade o crescimento de cinco indivíduos variando 7.35–21.6 altura total. O maior indivíduo tinha 59 anos idade. A diminuiu do colo topo da estirpe acima solo apresentou uma correlação positiva com número cicatrizes foliares altura. Palms (monocotyledons) are visually distinct other woody plants. They have relatively large leaves, split partly, or completely into leaflets leaf segments and, when existing, an unbranched scars (Hallé et al., 1978; Tomlinson, 1979). There >2300 registered palm species distributed in ca. 190 genera, higher diversity reported tropical subtropical forests (Eiserhardt 2011; Govaerts & Dransfield, 2005). Although accounting for smaller portion forest carbon balance, palms important floristic ecological element that regulates light, competes resources, supports fauna, affects demography trees (Emilio 2014; Harms 2004; Muscarella 2020). As opposed trees, no secondary vascular cambium meristem, is, heartwood juxtaposed xylem phloem (Tomlinson, Vascular bundles dispersed throughout embedded non-uniform parenchyma. Formation new occurs by adding fronds central axis (Tomlinson Zimmerman, 1969). This allows stems be totally filled tissue, oldest portions closer base 2006; Wiesberg Linick, 1983). By lacking growth, not form annual rings, increase diameter results sustained primary can include cell division Huggett, 2012). Primary thickening may cease early continuous, which more cylindrical conical shapes, respectively 2006). Estimates rates usually made functions describing continuous measurements height (Guarín del Valle, Lieberman 1988). In tall dense forests, however, data inaccurate due systematic random errors (Larjavaara Muller-Landau, 2013). Measurement radiocarbon estimation time elapsed since C structural tissues originally fixed atmosphere, is especially useful plants reliably structures, including (del Valle Herrera Ramírez 2017). Our focal species, Mart. (ARECACEAE) develops thick stem, reach up canopy varying Amazon types. During establishment stage, spp. already long leaves but lack (Kahn Granville, 1992). Instead, it belowground adventitious roots grow (Figure S1). Like once established light limiting, stops growing downward apical meristem starts developing (de 1992; 1979, abundant well genus little known about its distribution patterns. Studies carried premontane Central Cordillera Colombian Andes ages O. 14.8 53.6 years Guarín 2014), height-growth calculated leaf-scar monitoring 0.07 0.8 year−1 2014). Here, we aimed at assessing age, length period, patterns over life forest, different climate, soil, topography. To best our knowledge, this first research investigating forests. assessed using samples taken several vertical radial positions Further, combined (hereafter referred as ages) size attributes (Table studied valley area (sandy soil shallow water table) old-growth terra-firme Estação Experimental Silvicultura Tropical (EEST) Instituto Nacional Pesquisas Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Brazil (2°38′ S, 60°09′ W). were uprooted closed-canopy areas tirfor winch-system (Ribeiro 2016) part complementary investigation (dos Santos, 2019). accelerator mass spectrometry WM Keck Carbon Cycle AMS Facility University California, Irvine, US (Xu 2007). Further details on tissue accessed Supplementary Information. Fraction Modern (FM) (Stuiver Polach, 1977). all cases, FM >1.0, indicating after 1955 contains “bomb” produced atmospheric weapons testing. Calibrated determined OxCal Project platform Bomb 13 SH3 curve (Bronk-Ramsey, 2009a, 2009b). For containing 2010, (Graven 2017; Graven presence bomb 14C, two dates possible. One atmosphere rapidly increased late 1950s 1964, another during 1964 has been decreasing. decisions date choose supported assumptions based field observations existing literature: (i) taller older than shorter palms; (ii) (iii) youngest top. expected clear among assumed these would similar given estimates, grew constantly time. analyzed generalized linear mixed models. considered nested respective individuals, computed effects. tested correlations between variables Kendall ranking. sample did allow robust magnitude associated errors, regressions further investigate strong correlations. Statistical analyses R 4.1.2 software (R Core Team, While larger (Ind1 Ind2) obconical shaped, younger cylindrical. reinforces idea develop typical saxophone-shape 2014) (Souza Tomlinson densely covered ranged 1.012 1.214, corresponding plausible ranging 0 1). also heaviest (Ind1, height, biomass m, 11.1 282.3 kg, respectively). It realize calibration programs updated only every years, so sometimes young most recent program ascribed possible calendar age. example, without having record 2013 2018, erroneously inferred Ind1 (which should newest growth) greater base. Without same understanding how grows, could impossible ages. continuously (i.e., below crownshaft) S2 Table S2). tip Ind2 (0.57 depth), Ind4 (0.4 m) Ind5 (0.2 m), opposite pattern observed (1.25 Ind3 (0.7 m). An period 4.7 19.5 (respectively) being stem. These estimates considerably less 37.5 soils presumably nutrients, overall faster study region reflect stable climate flat terrain exerts lower stress, frequency gaps availability stages. Ind5, yet had 15.5 (average positions, Figure result time, deep crown/leaves while still contrast, compared deeper completed limiting Kahn, 1986; mechanical stability root density cope demands nutrients required achieving sizes. Larger variations (as discussed below) support influenced history, resource availability, disturbances promoting injuries/damage such herbivory wind. found aging related position However, reduction center cuts 1) sustains Amazon, occupies canopy. increasing thickness thus vessel area, reduce risk embolism (Aparecido 2015). Lower slenderness 2016), reduces vulnerability extreme wind rain, major natural disturbance (Marra Negrón-Juárez Stem vary local conditions, competition ontogeny (Svenning, 2001; 1979), data. Vertical 0.01 0.35 0.01–0.57 year−1, 2a). Root: shoot ratio varied 0.05 0.93 (mean 0.383) Overall, indicated slower irregular finding indicates periods water, (e.g., gap recovery). Compared slowly (Silva 2002) live centuries (Vieira 2005), show bataua, like (Lieberman 1988), fast-growing achieve sizes within decades. Fast-growing abilities low predation/herbivory 2011), differential winds (Canham 2010; Marra efficient fauna dispersal transporting seeds recently disturbed 1992) corroborate high demographic importance caulescent across defining each individual. marginally (Kendall p < .1, S3) depth stems, slenderness, scars, biomass. Among size, 2b) 2c) captured fraction variation individuals. Positive correlation previously data, explained relative contribution crown Apart locally calibrated allometries reducing uncertainty (Magnabosco scaling balance requires assessments better describe environmental conditions influence suitability dating Since positioning 1 S2), focus heights If possible, collected structure, dynamics. counting measuring method estimating bataua. Nonetheless, least 15-year-old establishment. DMM ST designed research; BOS performed data; wrote paper authors. thank team Laboratório Manejo Florestal their fieldwork. Anja Kahl helping cleaning cutting samples, Xiaomei Xu Accelerator Mass Spectrometry facility analyses. ATTO Project, funded German Federal Ministry Education Research (BMBF contracts 01LB1001A 01LK1602A), Brazilian Science, Technology Innovation (MCTI/FINEP contract 01.11.01248.00), Max Planck Society (MPG). BMBF MPG. harvested INCT Madeiras Amazônia, project Alometria dinâmica palmeiras em na Conselho Desenvolvimento Científico Tecnológico (Edital Universal MCTI/CNPq, No. 14/2014). Open Access funding enabled organized Projekt DEAL. author confirms behalf authors there involvements might raise question bias work conclusions, implications, opinions stated. supporting findings (DOI: 10.17871/atto.306.3.1240) available request portal (https://attodata.org/). Appendix S1 Please note: publisher responsible content functionality any information supplied Any queries (other missing content) directed article.