Abstract
ABSTRACT We present a synthesis (2006-2012) of plant community dynamics in an area (1 ha) of the largest remnant of Atlantic Rain Forest surrounded by São Paulo city. Plants with ≥ 2.5 cm dbh, including the climbers, were sampled in 10 transects (2 × 50 m), and the smaller (> 1 m height, < 2.5 cm dbh) in 10 subtransects (1 × 50 m). We sampled 901 individuals, 125 species (38 families), 83 classified as late-successional species, 12 threatened with extinction and 56 absent in the area management plan, some Endangered (EN) species. The climbers were the most dynamics, they had the largest decrease in basal area; and the larger (> 5.0 cm dbh) and shorter (< 2.5 cm dbh) trees had the highest mortality rates of the shrub-tree synusia. Late species regeneration was predominant. The studied forest showed progression towards more mature successional stages in the monitoring period.
Highlights
Human activities and climate fluctuations have been influencing the functioning of ecosystems (Holmgren et al 2001, O’Brien et al 2012, Seneviratne 2012), altering their natural regeneration and promoting unknown dynamics in plant communities (Hubbell & Foster 1992)
The growth rate for the group of all plants and sizes reflected an increase in the total number of individuals
Results showed a decrease in the number of individuals of the shrubtree synusia and climbers with > 2.5 cm dbh
Summary
Human activities and climate fluctuations have been influencing the functioning of ecosystems (Holmgren et al 2001, O’Brien et al 2012, Seneviratne 2012), altering their natural regeneration and promoting unknown dynamics in plant communities (Hubbell & Foster 1992). Instituto de Botânica, Núcleo de Pesquisa Curadoria do Herbário, Av. Miguel Estefano 3.687, Água Funda, 04301-902 São Paulo, Subject to numerous disturbances, such as fragmentation, isolation, biological invasion, fires, pollution, edge effect and heat island (Struffaldi-DeVuono 1985, Gomes et al 2003, SMA 2008), the PEFI is an important laboratory for the study of forest dynamics, besides the significant climate changes seen over the past 85 years (EM-IAG 2017). Studies on the plant communities in different parts of PEFI showed heterogeneous vegetation cover with patches of heavily impacted forest (Struffaldi-De-Vuono 1985, Costa & Mantovani 1992, Gomes & Mantovani 2001, Pivello & Peccinini 2002, Gomes et al 2003, Davison 2009, Eisenlohr et al 2009, Hirata et al 2010, Villagra & Romaniuc-Neto 2011, Tanus et al 2012), some in evident recovery process and some relatively little disturbed (Pivello & Peccinini 2002, Gomes et al 2003)
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