MAPPING OF Araucaria angustifolia TREES USING GPS RECEIVERS

Abstract

This study makes use of GPS technology in differential mode (relative positioning) and absolute mode in a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest in order to map the Araucaria angustifolia trees that occur in the area of study (Campus of Irati - UNICENTRO) in Paraná State, Brazil. The fieldwork pointed out the presence of 264 Araucárias in the area of study, the relative positioning was possible in 141 cases with precision ranging from 6 to 84 cm; absolute positioning was possible in all cases with precision ranging from 5 to 14 m. The relative positioning was possible in 30% of the Araucárias where slope was > 30% and in 57% of cases in which the basal area was > 16 m2/ha. It can be concluded that the relative positioning accuracy is sufficient for the location of the Araucárias, while the absolute position can cause confusion due to the low degree of planimetric accuracy position. The results of the relative positioning were influenced by slope and basal area, especially in conditions of high slope and high basal area.