Regime de distúrbio e dinâmica da regeneração natural na Floresta Pluvial Atlântica Submontana / Disturbance regime and natural regeneration dynamics in the Lower Montane Atlantic Rain Forest

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2007

RESUMO

In a 10.24 ha permanent plot of Tropical Lower Montane Atlantic Rain Forest in the Carlos Botelho State Park (Sete Barras, SP, Brazil), this study aimed to describe the canopy disturbance regime and to assess natural regeneration under different light regimes. In order to do so, the plot was completely surveyed for canopy gaps that were measured and had their approximate age estimated. Then, 42 10x10 m plots were established to evaluate natural regeneration under three light regimes: understory (18 plots), small to medium canopy gaps (11 plots) and large gaps abundant in Guadua tagoara (Nees) Kunth (13 plots). The light regime was characterized through hemispherical photographs taken at each plot center. Natural regeneration was dived into: herb stratum (i.e., herbs below one meter in height) assessed through soil coverage using the line intercept method; and shrub stratum or all plant individuals taller than one meter high and thinner than 5 cm in diameter at breast height. All individuals were identified to species and measured for diameter, height, crown height and area, besides notes on the presence of reproductive structures and germination substrate. Information on growth form, dispersal syndrome and ecological group were also obtained for each species. After one year, one reevaluation was made to assess mortality, damages, recruitment and growth. Although 67% of gaps were smaller than 150 m2 , the plot disturbance regime was atypical mainly by the contribution of gaps bigger than 750 m2 and by the average and total gap area that varied respectively from 419 to 799 m2 , and from 26 to 49% depending on the gap delimitation method. Gap density was 6 gaps.ha-1 and the turnover rate varied from 91 to 220 years depending on the gap method employed. There was significant difference between environments among the light index, especially for total incident radiation with means varying from 909 and 2,400 mols.m-2.y-1. It was found significant differences on herb soil coverage between environments, although the results varied among species. In the shrub stratum, species composition and abundance was significantly different, even between small to medium canopy gaps and the understorey. Herb and shrub densities were bigger in the more enlightened environments, as well as pioneer and early secondary species densities. Recruitment over the year (16%) was different between environments with large gaps accounting for 63% of all recruits. Similar difference was not found for mortality rate that had physical damage and desiccation as main death causes. Amid the 13% of damage individuals in the course of one year, there was noticeable contribution of damages linked to illegal extraction of palm-heart. Differences between environments were present only for physical damages with large gaps being the most damaging environment. In general and among the 25 species evaluated separately, there was a tendency of bigger growth with enhancement in light incidence. Small to medium gaps had significantly higher species richness and diversity, and lower dominance compared to the understorey. Large gaps had lower richness and diversity, but they contributed to maintain beta diversity of the permanent plot.

ASSUNTO(S)

floristics mortalidade mortality herb stratum guadua tagoara canopy gaps growth physical damage calathea communis florestas pluviais ecologia de comunidades luz hemispherical photography mata atlântica crescimento vegetal species richness phytosociology light

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

Documentos Relacionados