The experiment was conducted within RBMC in three 100 ha forest blocks, in which one was
logged using RIL practices, one with conventional logging practices and one remained unlogged as
a control area. The portion of RBMC used in the experiment is situated about 120 km southwest of
Paragominas1, Eastern Pará (3º35´ - 3º45´S; 48º15´ - 48º25´ W), on moderately undulating terrain
formed from the residual tertiary plateau. The soils are oxisols with a distinct argillic horizon.
Annual rainfall averages 2200 mm with a distinct dry season from June to November. Mean annual
temperature is 28º C. The forest is classified as tropical moist, with more than 124 tree species, an
abundance of lianas, and patches of emergent trees 50 m in height or more. Before harvesting, IFT
conducted censuses of all commercial and potentially commercial trees on all blocks (trees > 35 cm
D.B.H.) and established permanent plots representing 1 percent of the area in each of the blocks.