Abstract
The structure of a population can be seen as the result of biotic and abiotic interacting forces. The studies of population characteristics are vital to improve the understanding of ecosystem functioning. In this study, we attempted to answer the two following questions: What are the population structure of Attalea phalerata? and Are there any influence of reproducers presence, canopy openness, declivity, basal area and soil coverage on recruitment of individuals in this population? We distinguished four ontogenetic stages in A. phalerata. Reproducers and virgins were sampled by using 25 plots (400 m²), juveniles and seedlings were sampled in sub-plots (100 m²). We found 2,328 Attalea phalerata individuals per hectare, first two ontogenetic stages accounted for 89.8% of the total, describing a relatively stable population. None of the analyzed factors were affecting the natural regeneration of Attalea phalerata in the fragment. The density and distribution pattern found for the population are probably signs of formation of oligarchic forests, moreover, the species seems to be able to colonize clearings and open areas.
Highlights
The demographic processes are the basis of spatial, age, and size structures of a population (SILVERTOWN; CHARLESWORTH, 2001)
Some advantages of hemispherical photography are the low cost and the versatility of the processing in the analysis, that increases the number of variables related to canopy (JONCKHEERE et al, 2004), and that, theoretically, could be used in any kind of canopy, including forests and savannas (RICH, 1990)
We found 2,328 Attalea phalerata individuals per hectare. 1,248 of these individuals were categorized into seedling stage, 844 were categorized into juvenile stage, 155 were categorized into virgin stage and 81
Summary
The demographic processes are the basis of spatial, age, and size structures of a population (SILVERTOWN; CHARLESWORTH, 2001). The determination of ontogenetic stages may be more important than chronological age, because plants at different stages usually play different roles in a population (HUTCHINGS, 1997; SMIRNOVA et al, 2002). The light conditions in the canopy forest can be estimated through several methods, such as hemispherical photographs (SATTLER et al, 2007, INOUE et al, 2004). Digital hemispherical photographs provide an alternative to calculate the leaf area index (LAI), the radiation balance and canopy opening (CO) (ZHANG, et al, 2005). The CO and the LAI are appropriate parameters and are often used to indirectly measure some biophysical factors that are essential to understand regeneration process in forest environments (ENGELBRECHT; HERZ 2001)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
