Natural regeneration of tree species in the understory of Corymbia citriodora in Florestal city, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Francisco De Assis Braga,Geanderson Santiago Fernandes,Laís Alvares Fonseca

doi:10.22571/2526-4338244

Francisco De Assis Braga, Geanderson Santiago Fernandes + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.22571/2526-4338244

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Journal: Acta Brasiliensis	Publication Date: Sep 30, 2019
License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Abstract

The natural regeneration of tree species in forested areas has been studied by several researches. This study aimed to evaluate the natural regeneration of tree species in Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K. D. Hill & L. A. Johnson planted forest understory in Florestal, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Individuals with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm were evaluated in seven 25 x 4 m plots randomly distributed. A phytosociological survey was carried out and the ecological groups and the dispersal syndromes of the regenerants were determined. We found 28 species belonging to 12 families, among which Fabacea and Annonaceae stood out. Density was 1,557 regenerants ha-1, and basal area was 23 m2 ha-1. The most important species were Psidium sp; Schefflera macrocarpa (Cham. & Schltdl.) Frodin; Pera glabrata (Schott) Poepp. ex Baill.; Astronium fraxinifolium Schott & Spreng.; Matayba guianensis Aubl.; and Plathymenia reticulata Benth. We found 35% pioneer, 40% early secondary, 18% late secondary, and 7% climax species, of which 57% are zoochoric, 40% anemochoric, and 3% autochoric. It is concluded that the natural regeneration in the understory studied comprises typical species of the Seasonal Semideciduous Forest of the Atlantic Forest biome, presenting significant density and individuals from all ecological groups.The natural regeneration of tree species in forested areas has been studied by several researches. This study aimed to evaluate the natural regeneration of tree species in Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K. D. Hill & L. A. Johnson planted forest understory in Florestal, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Individuals with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm were evaluated in seven 25 x 4 m plots randomly distributed. A phytosociological survey was carried out and the ecological groups and the dispersal syndromes of the regenerants were determined. We found 28 species belonging to 12 families, among which Fabacea and Annonaceae stood out. Density was 1,557 regenerants ha-1, and basal area was 23 m2 ha-1. The most important species were Psidium sp; Schefflera macrocarpa (Cham. & Schltdl.) Frodin; Pera glabrata (Schott) Poepp. ex Baill.; Astronium fraxinifolium Schott & Spreng.; Matayba guianensis Aubl.; and Plathymenia reticulata Benth. We found 35% pioneer, 40% early secondary, 18% late secondary, and 7% climax species, of which 57% are zoochoric, 40% anemochoric, and 3% autochoric. It is concluded that the natural regeneration in the understory studied comprises typical species of the Seasonal Semideciduous Forest of the Atlantic Forest biome, presenting significant density and individuals from all ecological groups.

Highlights

IntroductionDespite its worldwide ecological and environmental relevance, the Atlantic Forest biome occupies only 11% to 16% of its original area, consisting of small and isolated remnant fragments, of which 80% are smaller than 50 ha and distant, on average, 1,440 m apart (Ribeiro, Metzger, Martensen, Ponzoni, & Hirota, 2009)
Despite its worldwide ecological and environmental relevance, the Atlantic Forest biome occupies only 11% to 16% of its original area, consisting of small and isolated remnant fragments, of which 80% are smaller than 50 ha and distant, on average, 1,440 m apart (Ribeiro, Metzger, Martensen, Ponzoni, & Hirota, 2009).This condition can greatly hinder the forest restoration process, given the limitations imposed on seed dispersal by wind or fauna, the low permeability of the landscape matrix, and the poor conservation status of the remaining fragments (Viani, Durigan, & Melo, 2010)
A total of 109 tree individuals with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm were found in natural regeneration under C. citriodora plantation, corresponding to 28 species belonging to 12 botanical families, of which Fabacea and Annonaceae stood out with 46% of the total (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Despite its worldwide ecological and environmental relevance, the Atlantic Forest biome occupies only 11% to 16% of its original area, consisting of small and isolated remnant fragments, of which 80% are smaller than 50 ha and distant, on average, 1,440 m apart (Ribeiro, Metzger, Martensen, Ponzoni, & Hirota, 2009). This condition can greatly hinder the forest restoration process, given the limitations imposed on seed dispersal by wind or fauna, the low permeability of the landscape matrix, and the poor conservation status of the remaining fragments (Viani, Durigan, & Melo, 2010). Possibilities for structuring the initial forest canopy include planting homogeneous forests, notably eucalyptus ones, provided that they allow the establishment of natural regeneration of native species at a satisfactory level in their understory (Carneiro & Rodrigues, 2007; Isernhagen, Rodrigues, Nave, & Gandolfi, 2009)

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