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| Wood
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The Forests of Brazil | |||
| Brazil,
a bountiful land discovered by the Portuguese almost 500 years ago, and
first called "Ilha de Vera Cruz" (Island of Vera Cruz), is
one of the future world potentials. The largest country in Latin America,
Brazil is bigger than the United States in continental area and boasts
a huge area of forest cover. Around 60% of its 854 million hectares are
classified as forest. With most of its land situated between the equator
and the Tropic of Capricorn, Brazil's forests types range from tropical
rain forests in the north, through savanna or woodlands in the central
region, to a mix of temperate forest (Araucaria forests) and
pasture lands in the south.
Brazil boasts a broad diversity of forestry ecosystems: the Amazon with mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), rubber-tree (Hevea braziliensis); Araucaria forests with Araucaria angustifolia -- "Parana pine", Ilex paraguariensis -- "erva mate"; the savannas and woodlands with Piptadenia macrocarpa -- "Angico"; Atlantic forests with Roupala sp. -- "Carvalho" and heart palm tree, Euterpe edulis. These are only some examples of species that can be found in these ecosystems along with several hundred others. Besides its native forests, Brazil has established 6.2 million hectares of plantations (mostly pine and eucalyptus) in one the most successful reforestation program ever seen. It took place from 1967 to 1986, when companies could invest up to 50% of their income tax in plantations. The plantations are about 70% private owned, whereas the Amazon is mostly public owned. The development of Brazil has always been connected to its forest resource. Policies have recently changed, and the utilization of native species has become very restricted, mainly in the southern region. Plantations have helped Brazil maintain a sector that was once one of the bases of its economy by maintaining the wood supply. Policies for developments of the Amazon have also been revised, and the annual deforestation rate has dropped to almost half in 91/92 (0.30% per year) from its 78/79 level (0.54% per year). The pulp and paper sector has become among the largest in the world. It has developed high-technology for manufacturing paper using eucalyptus fiber. The lumber sector has begun to use pine and is currently well accepted in the domestic market. Exports of softwood lumber (mainly pine) have increased significantly. Brazil became the main softwood lumber supplier of the US after Canada in 1994. The utilization of wood from plantations has stimulated considerable investment in genetic improvement, and higher yields can be seen. Pine growth rates have, on average, a mean annual increment of 20 cubic meters per hectare per year. However, several plantations present increments of 40m3/ha/year. Genetic manipulation of eucalyptus has also improved through the years. On average growth rates would figure 30 m3/ha/year, but research has brought this figure up to 70 m3/ha/year in commercial production. The Brazilian forestry sector also includes panel industries. The plywood industry is more represented in the south, in the vicinity of the pine plantations. This region is responsible for approximately 60% of the production and supply 70% of the domestic market demand. In the northern region, the Amazon, plywood manufacturing uses hardwoods and is export oriented. Particleboard production is more than 90% consumed by the domestic market. The Brazilian market for particleboard is self-sufficient without imports. Hardboard has very little representation in Brazil, with only 2 companies. In this case, production is export oriented, with more than 50% of the production going abroad. The charcoal industry developed during the 19th century due to discovery of rich iron ore deposits in the state of Minas Gerais. More than 80% of the charcoal production destines to industrial use as a reductor and energy. Furniture manufacturing is well developed, playing a large role in the wood industry. It is responsible for 40% of the wood consumption in Brazil. Pine, which has not traditionally been used in furniture manufacturing in Brazil, has gained ground against native species. It has also increased its share in exports. The construction sector accounts for 30% of the wood demand, although wooden houses are still not popular in Brazil. The packaging industry is responsible for 10% of total wood consumption. The balance is utilized in several other products. The Brazilian forestry sector is growing each year and modernizing its policies. Environmental concerns have placed most of the forest other than Amazon under protection. The country's forestry code has always stipulated that riparian areas as well as an additional 20% of an area to be harvested should be left standing with native vegetation, in meridional and southern regions. As a re-enforcement, the law obliges people to replant the areas cut beyond this limit. Another policy states that any company that consumes more than a specified amount of wood per year should use a sustainable source. A certification system is being developed by a group comprised of governmental, industrial and environmental organizations. |
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