VERTICAL STRUCTURE OF THE ARBOREAL COMPONENT UNDER REGENERATION PHASE OF A DECIDUOUS FOREST FRAGMENT, SANTA CATARINA STATE, BRAZIL

Welington Kiffer De Freitas,Luis Mauro Sampaio Magalhães

doi:10.1590/0100-67622016000500002

Welington Kiffer De Freitas, Luis Mauro Sampaio Magalhães

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-67622016000500002

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Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the structure (horizontal and vertical) of a Deciduous Forest, located between the municipalities of Piratuba and Ipira (SC). 14.000 m2 of tree communities were analyzed, sub- divided into 14 plots of 10 x 100 m, where all individuals with DBH equal to or greater than 4.0 cm were sampled and identified. For natural regeneration were sampled 560 m2, divided into 14 plots of 10 x 4 m. In the tree strata were sampled 2.125 individuals belonging to 34 families, 80 genera and 113 species with a total density of 1.517 ind.ha-1. Natural regeneration were sampled 196 individuals belonging to 24 families and 49 species with a total density of 3.500 ind. ha-1. Luehea divaricata Mart., Actinostemon concolor (Spreng) Müll. Arg. and Parapiptadenia rigida (Benth.) Brenan had of value of increased importance (7,1%, 7,0 % and 5,3%, respectively). Actinostemon concolor got high value Relative Natural Regeneration (18,1%). The low percentage of natural regeneration of species as Luehea divaricata and Parapiptadenia rigida, respectively 3,7% and 1,5%, typical of EDF , may represent a maintenance commitment in the community. The study revealed the presence of exotic species with invasive potential, as Hovenia dulcis Thumb. These facts point to the importance of the adoption of management measures, since the forest fragment studied is advancing successional terms, however, anthropogenic interference with signals in the floristic composition. These facts point to the importance of the adoption of management measures, since the forest fragment studied is suffering anthropogenic impact, influencing the ecological succession mechanisms.

Highlights

Seasonal Deciduous Forests (SDF) occur in regions with annual precipitation of less than 1,600 mm or in regions with intense cold, which results in more than 50% of leaf losses in trees of a forest (OLIVEIRA-FILHO et al, 2006).Santa Catarina State, Brazil has undergone strong anthropic pressures, first with logging and subsequently due to the extensive agriculture
This study aimed to evaluate the structure and the regeneration state of a Seasonal Deciduous Forest fragment located in the Santa Catarina Midwest region
According to Moraes and Silva (2006), the more regular the distribution of individuals of a species in the vertical structure of a forest is, the higher its value in the Relative Sociological Position. This descriptor shows the importance of Luehea divaricata (RSP = 7.10%), Actinostemon concolor (7.00%), Casearia sylvestris (6.79%), Cupania vernalis (4.93%) and Parapiptadenia rigida (3.91 %) in the studied community structure

Summary

Introduction

Santa Catarina State, Brazil has undergone strong anthropic pressures, first with logging and subsequently due to the extensive agriculture. The territory of Santa Catarina has the largest area of remaining Atlantic forest, which represents 16% of SDF (IBGE, 2013; VIBRANS et al, 2013b). By the end of the last century, the researches on plant composition in the west of the state were still insufficient, even with some important initiatives, such as the “Flora Ilustrada Catarinense” (NEGRELLE; SILVA, 1992). From the Forest Floristic Inventory of Santa Catarina (FFISC), new efforts have contributed to broaden the knowledge about remaining forests (GASPER et al, 2012)

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