Abstract
Abstract The comparison of vegetation at two different moments allows for recognizing the stability of plant communities. The structure and floristic composition of a Caatinga fragment in the municipality of Poco Verde, state of Sergipe, were evaluated after four years (2011-2015). Sampling was performed through 30 plots of 20 m × 20 m, considering individuals with circumference at breast height ≥ 6 cm. Despite the increase in density (0.79%) and basal area (4.82%), changes in floristic composition, in Shannon-Wiener diversity (from 3.33 nats.ind-1 to 3.30 nats.ind-1) and in Pielou equability (from 0.78 to 0.80) were small. None of the structural parameters evaluated (richness, density, basal area, importance value and Shannon-Wiener diversity) significantly differed between evaluation periods. The vegetation remained stable over time, tolerating current anthropization levels and enabling the use of its natural resources through planned management.
Highlights
AND OBJECTIVESStudies comparing vegetation at different times can detect floristic and structural variations in populations and plant communities, supporting the understanding of factors that affect changes in these communities (e.g., Carvalho et al, 2010; Cavalcanti et al, 2009; Mews, Marimon, Pinto et al, 2011)
Studies comparing vegetation at different times can detect floristic and structural variations in populations and plant communities, supporting the understanding of factors that affect changes in these communities (e.g., Carvalho et al, 2010; Cavalcanti et al, 2009; Mews, Marimon, Pinto et al, 2011). These studies allow for inferences about vegetation dynamics; short-term assessments are more sensitive in detecting changes in a community (Braga & Rezende, 2007)
Despite the existence of publications for Brazilian seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF) (e.g., Werneck & Franceschinelli, 2004), studies of this type are scarce for the Caatinga biome (Cavalcanti et al, 2009), which contributes to the little knowledge about its dynamics (Pereira et al, 2001)
Summary
Studies comparing vegetation at different times can detect floristic and structural variations in populations and plant communities, supporting the understanding of factors that affect changes in these communities (e.g., Carvalho et al, 2010; Cavalcanti et al, 2009; Mews, Marimon, Pinto et al, 2011) These studies allow for inferences about vegetation dynamics; short-term assessments are more sensitive in detecting changes in a community (Braga & Rezende, 2007). Adopting a temporal scale in structural and floristic evaluations enables recognizing the stability of plant communities; changes in the community are inevitably continuous and time-dependent (Condit et al, 1992) Data obtained from these evaluations are fundamental to subsidize conservation actions and programs for the recovery of degraded areas, providing subsidies for the sustainable vegetation management (Cavalcanti et al, 2009; Mews, Marimon, Maracahipes et al 2011; Rolim et al, 1999). Despite the existence of publications for Brazilian seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF) (e.g., Werneck & Franceschinelli, 2004), studies of this type are scarce for the Caatinga biome (Cavalcanti et al, 2009), which contributes to the little knowledge about its dynamics (Pereira et al, 2001)
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