FLORISTIC AND PHYTOSOCIOLOGIC OF HERB LAYER AND TREE REGENERATION IN TRACT OF SECONDARY FOREST AT JUQUITIBA, SP, BRAZIL

The aim of this work was to study the composition and structure of the herbaceous and tree regeneration community and to evaluate the negative consequences of these descriptors of the community which were generated from the record of area use (deforestation to produce vegetal coal). This study was undertaken in a 40-year-old secondary Dense Ombrophilous Forest in Juquitiba, SP, and the herb layer was defined by the presence of herbs, sub-shrubs, shrubs and vine species. Tree regeneration was defined by the presence of palms and tree species, from 10 cm to 1.30 m of height. Fourty-eight samples of 2 x 2 m were located systematically along the delineated area, a total of 192 m(2). 130 species were registered, most of which were composed of tree species in regeneration (85), followed by herbs (17). Half of the total importance value was occupied by 11 tree species, besides one of each life habit surveyed. The presence of ruderal species and a low number of herbaceous species typical of understory show that the area has suffered several damages. Furthermore, the floristic diversity of the herbaceous layer is mainly due to the high richness of the trees species that are in regeneration and not to the typical species of this layer.21222924

Forest restoration with Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze on Campos do Jordao state park, SP: fire effects on tree and shrub structure

Restoration actions aimed at Mixed Ombrophilous Forests are limited due to the scarce knowledge about composition and structure of these communities on different successional stages, and also the effects of frequent disturbances on its dynamics, such as fire. The present work aimed at evaluating the effect of an accidental fire on the horizontal, vertical and diametric structure of an Araucaria angustifolia planted forest, located on Campos do Jordao State Park, SP, nine years after the disturbance. This study also intends to appraise the potential of these forests on inducing the secondary succession. Two Araucaria angustifolia forests were selected, with similar ages and environmental conditions, called Forests RI and Rh. On RI, there's no account of fire since its planting, in 1959 (control). RII, which was planted in 1958, was affected by an accidental fire in July 2001. During the upper strata survey (circumference at breast height (CBH) >= 15cm), 17 and 8 permanent plots of 10x20m were established on forests RI and RII, respectively. In each one of these plots five sub-plots of 1x1m were randomly chosen, in order to survey the lower strata (total height >= 30cm and CBH < 15cm). In forest RI, 836 trees and shrubs were surveyed, while on forest Rh I 175 individuals were sampled. Forest RI presented significantly higher values than II for density on both strata and dominance on upper strata (absolute totals). The diametric structure follows an inverted J-pattern in both areas. Nevertheless, the fire seems to significantly have reduced the number of individuals of the first diameter classes. Forest RII seems to still express the effect of burning, which was more severe in the lower strata; in case the above hypothesis is correct. However, due to favorable landscape conditions, we hope that both forests continue their natural succession, resembling the surrounding forest matrix in the long term.409427929

Structure of the understory community in four stretches of Araucaria forest in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)We analyzed the structure of the understory community in the Atlantic Forest sensu lato, for which phytosociological descriptions of the understory are lacking. We delineated 50 plots of 10 x 20 m each at four sites within an Araucaria forest (a subtype of Atlantic Forest), located in the municipalities of Bananal, Campos do Jordao, Itabera and Barra do Chapeu, all of which are in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. To sample the resident species of the understory, we randomly selected five 1 x 1 m subplots within each plot, resulting in a total sampling area of 250 m(2) at each site. We identified differences among the locations, mostly due to proportional differences in growth forms, in terms of species richness and the importance values within the community Factors potentially influencing the understory structure include macrodimatic and microclimatic conditions, as well as forest fragmentation, the abundance of deciduous trees in the canopy, the surrounding vegetation and geographic location.28186101Program Pesquisas em Caracterizacao, Conservacao e Uso Sustentavel da Biodiversidade (Biota, Research into the Characterization, Conservation, Restoration, and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FAPESP [2006/03288-1, 2001/05146-6]CNPq [479084/2007-6

Mixed rain forest in southeastern Brazil: tree species regeneration and floristic relationships in a remaining stretch of forest near the city of Itabera, Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)The aim of this work was to evaluate the floristic composition, richness, and diversity of the upper and lower strata of a stretch of mixed rain forest near the city of Itabera, in southeastern Brazil. We also investigated the differences between this conservation area and other stretches of mixed rain forest in southern and southeastern Brazil, as well as other nearby forest formations, in terms of their floristic relationships. For our survey of the upper stratum (diameter at breast height [DBH] >= 15 cm), we established 50 permanent plots of 10 x 20 m. Within each of those plots, we designated five, randomly located, 1 x 1 m subplots, in order to survey the lower stratum (total height >= 30 cm and DBH < 15 cm). In the upper stratum, we sampled 1429 trees and shrubs, belonging to 134 species, 93 genera, and 47 families. In the lower stratum, we sampled 758 trees and shrubs, belonging to 93 species, 66 genera, and 39 families. In our floristic and phytosociological surveys, we recorded 177 species, belonging to 106 genera and 52 families. The Shannon Diversity Index was 4.12 and 3.5 for the upper and lower strata, respectively. Cluster analysis indicated that nearby forest formations had the strongest floristic influence on the study area, which was therefore distinct from other mixed rain forests in southern Brazil and in the Serra da Mantiqueira mountain range.2717186Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)CNPq [479084/2007