VARIABILITY OF THE APPARENT DENSITY IN THE WOOD OF SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND CEDRELA ODORATA IN THE AMAZON REGION OF PERU
This study examines the radial variability of apparent wood density in two tropical commercial species, Swietenia macrophylla (mahogany) and Cedrela odorata (cedar), in the Peruvian Amazon. The hypothesis states that both species will present different radial variation patterns in wood density, with C. odorata showing greater heterogeneity due to its older age and the presence of mineral inclusions. Advanced methods, including X-ray microdensitometry and visual analysis with QGIS, were used to obtain radial density profiles. Results showed that C. odorata exhibited higher variability and a wider density range than S. macrophylla, mainly attributed to age and mineral inclusions affecting density measurements. These differences are important for the timber industry, influencing mechanical properties and material selection. The findings emphasize the significance of density variability for sustainable management and improving timber quality in the Amazon region.