A modern approach to the concept of timber species from an amazonian perspective

The present PhD thesis was carried out with the main objective of filling a knowledge gap in scientific literature regarding the Amazonian timber species concept or definition and to generate a preliminary timber species concept or definition using data from the Amazonian countries (Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil) and long-term data provided by tropical forests monitoring networks such as ForestPlots, ATDN and among others. The main finding of this PhD work was a surprising lack of specific definition of timber species that can be linked to biophysical attributes in tree species. Such lack can be extended into a lack of homogeneity in terminology and taxonomy among national and international organizations relevant to forest management and conservation in the Amazonian region. To fill such gap, data and results of each chapter of this thesis were complementary to each other in the context of a generating the missing timber species concept with the support of measurable variables and terms commonly recognized by relevant forest stakeholders such as scientists, national forests institutions and even international organizations that have responsibilities on this topic since their creation. In conclusion, the results presented here support the suggestion to all the actors in the tropical forest sector to consider an integrative coordination of stakeholder’s perceptions. All efforts should connect each other’s with their knowledge and experience in sustainable forest management and conservation on tropical timber species. This vision may help to have a better understanding of these species, their natural and cultural values, the different ecological services and incomes that tropical forests in general (and Amazonian forests in particular) provide for landowners, timber workers locally, regionally, and international organizations related.