This study was carried out in order to develop and implement (in pilot area of 457.7 ha) an enhanced methodology for establishing management units for pine tree plantations, in lands of the west of Santa Catarina associated to the effusive rock spill of the Serra Geral Formation. The regional pine production system disregards the hypothesis of response to the nutrient deficiency improvement (N). The methodology preferably requires semi-detailed soil mapping and secondary local climate information. Each polygon of the soil map was associated with a database, which allowed the definition of the land limitation degrees (N, water deficiency, oxygen deficiency, erosion susceptibility and management impediments) for the pine cultivation. The management units classes of pine cultivation were defined by a set of criteria, considering the different land limitation degrees achieved for each land polygon (from soil map). The most important land limitation degree for pine growth in the pilot area was the management impediments, due to limitations of the soil depth, terrain slope and rocky fragments. The following quantitative data from the management units were obtained in the pilot area: 111.6 ha of Lowly suitable (24.8% of the area); 282.0 ha Upper marginal (62.6% of the area); and 57.2 ha Lower marginal (12.7% of the area).

04 - Management units for pine in lands of the western Santa Catarina State, Brazil: development and application of methodology