Enivanis de Abreu Vilela

Diversity and structure of the tree community of a fragment of tropical secondary forest of the brazilian Atlantic Forest domain 15 and 40 years after logging

Two adjacent tracts of tropical secondary forest, situated in Itambe do Mato Dentro, south-eastern Brazil, which had been regenerating for 15 and 40 years after clearing, were compared with the purpose of detecting differences in species diversity and composition, species guild composition (regeneration, stratification and dispersion), and stand structure. Four and three 1,125 m2 plots laid on the 15- and 40-year-old stands, respectively, sampled 2,430 trees with diameter at the base of the stem > 5 cm. The number of species (S = 199) was high for this forest type and significantly higher for the older stand. Tree density was significantly higher in the younger stand, particularly for smaller trees, whereas the two stands did not differ in both basal area and volume per hectare. Trees of shade-tolerant and understory species were significantly more abundant in the older stand. Though sharing a large proportion of species (49%), the two stands differed significantly in the abundance of many species. Live stumps probably contributed to the relatively quick restoration of some forest characteristics, particularly species diversity, basal area and volume.

Tree species distribution along soil catenas in a riverside semideciduous forest in southeastern Brazil

Summary The relationships between topography, soil taxonomic categories and tree species distribution were analysed in a riverside semideciduous forest on the margins of the Rio Grande, in Conquista, state of Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. The forest was sampled by two transects made up of 50 contiguous 15 × 15 m2 quadrats (total 1.125 ha). Each transect started at the river margin and extended upslope so that they could include two soil catenas: the first with the sequence Ustifluvent, Haplustox and Ustorthent, and the second with Ustifluvent followed by Haplustult. A quick but more extensive survey was carried out in the whole forest fragment covering the same soil habitats in order to assess the extension of soil-species relationships found in the transects. A canonical correspondence analysis indicated that the species’ abundance distribution was significantly correlated with the soil habitats. Differences in soil drainage classes among the soils rather than their chemical properties appeared to be the leading factor: tree species distribution was strongly correlated with a wide hydrosequence ranging from poorly drained to strongly drained soils. The 55 most abundant species were classified according to their ecological group (regeneration guild) within the forest dynamics. A tentative ecological classification of those species combining their habitat preference in terms of soil drainage class and their growth strategy suggested that these factors play and important role in promoting the coexistence of tree species in that type of forest.

Flora arbustivo-arbórea de uma floresta ripária no alto Rio Grande em Bom Sucesso/MG

A floristic survey was carried out in a riparian forest of the Rio Grande in Bom Sucesso, Minas Gerais, Brazil, considering the species of trees and shrubs with diameter at the base of the stem >= 5 cm. The purpose was to produce a list of indigenous species for potential use in environmental rehabilitation programs that have bee carried out on the margins of rivers and dams of this region. A list is provided with 245 species of 65 botanic families. Floristic comparisons are made with florests surveyed in the State of Sao Paulo.

Flora arbustivo-arbórea de um fragmento de mata ciliar no alto rio Grande, Itutinga, Minas Gerais

A floristic survey was carried out in an 9.450m2 fragment of riparian forest on the margin of the hydroelectric reservoir of Camargos, Itutinga, state of Minas Gerais, SE Brazil. All individuals with minimum diameter at the base of stem 5cm were surveyed in the sampled area forest. A list is provided with 253 species of trees and shrubs belonging to 66 botanic families. Floristic similarity indices were calculated in comparisons with other floristic surveys of forest in the states of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais.