Dialium Guianense Research Articles

Alternative Tree Species for Sustainable Forest Management in the Brazilian Amazon

The scarcity of hardwoods from tropical forests makes the search for alternative species necessary for commercialization. This study aimed to establish groups of timber species from the Amazon Forest with potential for logging purposes through the assessment of their physical-mechanical properties, aiming to identify alternative species that can meet the market demands. We utilized data from the Forest Products Laboratory (LPF) (containing information on basic density and other wood mechanical properties) and the Timberflow platform, as well. We applied a multivariate cluster analysis technique with the aim of grouping species based on the technological characteristics of their wood and evaluating similarity among them to obtain homogeneous groups in terms of economic potential and utilization. The results indicated four homogeneous groups: Cluster 1 (40.72% of species, basic density-db: 690 kg m−3), Cluster 2 (13.92%, db: 260 and 520 kg m−3), Cluster 3 (27.32%, db: 550 and 830 kg m−3), and Cluster 4 (18.04%, db: 830 kg m−3). Most of the 20 listed species are classified as more commercially viable (70%), with high wood density. Species identified as alternatives include Dialium guianense and Zollernia paraensis for Dipteryx odorata, Terminalia argentea for Dinizia excelsa, Terminalia amazonia and Buchenavia grandis for Goupia glabra, and Protium altissimum and Maclura tinctoria for Hymenaea courbaril. The analysis highlighted the overexploitation of a restricted group of species and the need to find alternatives to ensure the sustainability of forest management. This study contributed to identifying species that can serve as alternatives to commercial ones, promoting a more balanced and sustainable forest management.

The substitution of wheat flour with flour made from Dialium Guianense and Nephelium Lappaceum l. Fruit peel in muffins

Food waste generated by the lack of proper processing of fruit parts, such as peels and seeds, is a global problem, although these by-products could enrich the nutritional value of food products. Thus, this study aimed to develop, characterize, and perform a sensory analysis of functional muffins enriched with flour made from Dialium guianense and Nephelium lappaceum L. fruit peels. Four muffin formulations were developed with different substitution levels (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5%) of wheat flour with the fruit peel flour. The muffins were analyzed for proximate composition, weight reduction, color, texture profile, sensory profile (color, odor, flavor, texture, and overall appearance), and purchase intention. The results showed that the formulations with flour produced from the fruit residues had higher fiber and lipid content, less weight loss during baking, and darker coloration than standard samples. The sample with 2.5% wheat flour replaced with fruit peel flour showed better sensory parameters and purchase intention. Hence, the physical, chemical, and sensory analyses presented a positive increase in the nutritional and sensory quality of the developed products.

GEOSPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF FOREST SPECIES IN THE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF RECIFE, PERNAMBUCO, BRAZIL

The adoption of appropriate strategies for the conservation and management of forest ecosystems associated with the Atlantic Forest depends on understanding the pattern of spatial distribution of forest species, mainly in protected areas. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the geospatial distribution of forest species in a fragment of Atlantic Forest (Lowland Dense Ombrophilous Forest) in the Botanical Garden of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. The phytosociological study was carried out by the plot method, with 40 plots of 10 m x 25 m, systematically distributed, where all living individuals that showed circumference at 1.3 m above the ground ≥ 15 cm were identified and georeferenced. To identify the existence of floristic similarity between the plots, the obtained data were subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis. The spatial variability of forest species was characterized using geostatistical analysis. The data were interpolated by kriging, followed by the construction of thematic maps of spatial distribution. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed the formation of two groups of plots. The forest species Artocarpus heterophyllus, Dialium guianense, Helicostylis tomentosa, Hevea brasiliensis, Pouteria durlandii and Thyrsordium spruceanum showed spatial dependence. The use of geostatistics allowed visualizing the spatial distribution arrangements and identifying the concentration sites of these species. Information on the geospatial distribution of forest species can be used for the preservation, conservation and management of forest remnants.

Germination success of large‐seeded plant species ingested by howler monkeys in tropical rain forest fragments

Primates are important seed dispersers, especially for large-seeded (>1 cm long) tropical species in continuous and fragmented rainforests. In three forest fragments within the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, southern Mexico, we investigated the effect of seed passage through the gut of howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) on the germination rate and maximum germination (%) of native, large-seeded species. One group of howler monkeys, per fragment, was followed and fresh feces collected. Large seeds were removed to compare their germination success with non-ingested seeds of the same species collected underneath parent plants. Feces contained large seeds from seven tree species (Ampelocera hottlei, Castilla elastica, Dialium guianense, Garcinia intermedia, Pourouma bicolor, Spondias mombin, Trophis racemosa) and one liana species (Abuta panamensis). Except for G. intermedia, ingested seeds germinated significantly faster than non-ingested seeds, which had negligible germination. Ingested seeds of D. guianense, P. bicolor, S. mombin, T. racemosa, and A. panamensis had significantly greater germination, while G. intermedia had significantly lower germination and seed ingestion had no apparent effect for A. hottlei and C. elastica. In general, seed ingestion by howler monkeys confers faster germination compared with non-ingested seeds. Faster germination reduces predation probabilities and increases seedling establishment in forest fragments. Primate dispersal services contribute to germination heterogeneity within plant populations of old-growth forest species and to their persistence in forest fragments.

Estructura y composición florística del Bosque Húmedo Tropical de la Comunidad de San Jerónimo

La biodiversidad forestal es uno de los tópicos más importantes para el manejo forestal sostenible. En el 2015, se realizó un inventario forestal aplicando la metodología de Dauber (1995), en la comunidad de San Jerónimo, río Coco, con el propósito de conocer los aspectos florísticos, estructurales, los índices de biodiversidad y proponer alternativas de manejo forestal sostenible. Se encontró una riqueza florística de 45 familias, 82 géneros y 88 especies. Las familias más representativas fueron Moraceae y Fabaceae. El coeficiente de mezcla fue de (1:3), índice de Shannon (3.84), e índice de Simpson (0.97), lo cual indica una riqueza y heterogeneidad alta. El 86.87% de los individuos registrados se agrupó en la clase diamétrica inferior a 39.9 cm y el 61.71% de los individuos se encuentra en el estrato medio presentando alturas entre 11 y 20.9 m. Las especies más importante dentro del bosque de acuerdo con el IVI fueron Dialium guianense (aubl) Steud con 35.09 y Tetragastris panamensis Kuntzecon 27.84. Se proponen tres alternativas de manejo forestal bajo el modelo de forestería comunitaria: i).-Ordenamiento forestal, ii).-Aprovechamiento forestal y iii).-Modelo de gestión para Pagos por Servicios ambientales.

A Taxonomic Revision of the genus Dialium (Leguminosae: Dialiinae) in the Netotropics

Dialium (Leguminosae, Dialiinae) is pantropical and comprises about 40 species. Presently, only one species occurs in the Neotropics, Dialium guianense, which is found from eastern Mexico to northeastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The objective of this study was to carry out a thorough taxonomic revision of Dialium in the Neotropics, to determine if species diversity of the genus in this region is underestimated. The study analyzed 765 collections, from 18 herbaria throughout the world, which revealed three groups of specimens that clearly differ from each other and from D. guianense. Morphology and biogeography support their recognition as new species. Dialium hexaestaminatum occurs in northern Colombia and western Venezuela, and is characterized by generally having six stamens, while the other neotropical species have only two. Dialium congestum occurs in Ecuador and southern Colombia and is mainly characterized by the presence of congested inflorescences, unlike the lax inflorescences found in the other neotropical species. Dialium rondoniense occurs in the state of Rondônia and the most southern part of the state of Amazonas, Brazil. It is characterized by the dense coverage of trichomes on the abaxial surface of the leaflets, as well as the petiolules, petioles, leaf rachis and branches, while the other neotropical species are generally glabrous or covered with sparse trichomes that are imperceptible to the bare eye. The results show that the diversity of Dialium in the Neotropics was underestimated and that the genus has four species in the region. An identification key, illustrations and descriptions of the species are provided.

Overcoming Dormancy in Seeds of Dialium guianense (Aubl.) Sandwitch (Fabaceae – Caesalpinioideae)

This study has aimed to test different methods of overcoming dormancy, accelerating and standardizing the initial seedling settling and determining the pre-germination treatment that is more effective for the species Dialium guianense (Aubl.) Sandwitch. The seeds were submitted to the following treatments: Control (T1) – only asepsis of seeds was done by immersion in sodium hypochlorite (2 %) for 3 minutes; immersion in sulfuric acid (98 % p.a.) for 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes (T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively); mechanical chisel plow (T6) – asepsis of seeds by immersion in sodium hypochlorite (2%) for 3 minutes and seed surface abrasion by 80 sandpaper for 15 seconds, always at the edge of the seeds (to avoid damaging the embryo) and then immersed in water for 24 hours. The Dialium guianense seeds have cutaneous dormancy and treatments of chemical chisel plow by means of immersion of the seeds in concentrated sulfuric acid (98%) for 15 and 20 minutes were more effective in overcoming seed dormancy, providing highest values of emergence and Emergence Speed Index (ESI) of seedlings, as well as the highest average of dry matter allocation in the shoot and primary root.

Importance of Large, Old Primary Forest Trees in Nest-Site Selection by the Northern Mealy Amazon (Amazona guatemalae)

The increasing conversion of primary tropical moist forest to secondary forest may have consequences for threatened, large-bodied cavity-nesters, such as the Northern Mealy Amazon ( Amazona guatemalae). We determined availability and characteristics of tree-cavities in 24 1-ha survey plots in Los Chimalapas, southeast Mexico, with 9 plots in evergreen forest, 7 in riparian, and 8 in secondary forest. We compared these with 40 parrot nest-trees to determine whether parrots select cavities with specific characteristics for nesting. Over half of Northern Mealy Amazon nests occurred in live trees of Terminalia amazonia (32.5%) and Dialium guianense (20%). Compared with available cavities, the Northern Mealy Amazon selected nest-cavities in significantly larger trees, at a greater height above the ground, with larger internal diameter, and greater depth. In particular, internal diameter and cavity depth predicted whether a cavity was selected as a nest-site by parrots. We found a low density of 2.3 available cavities/ha in the study site, although only 1.6 cavities/ha had characteristics suitable for use as nest-sites by parrots. Cavities in secondary forest occurred in smaller trees, at a lower height, and with shallower depth, where only 0.75 cavities/ha were suitable for nesting by parrots. Our results demonstrate that the Northern Mealy Amazon requires nest-cavities in large, old trees able to form large cavities, the majority of which occur in primary forest. The low density of suitable nest-sites for parrots in secondary forest suggests that increased degradation of primary tropical moist forest may have long-term implications for reproduction of this threatened species.

Possible implications of seed dispersal by the howler monkey for the early recruitment of a legume tree in small rain-forest fragments in Mexico

Abstract:Primates are important seed dispersers in tropical forests, but they are being lost due to forest fragmentation. We compared post-dispersal seed fate and seedling density for the tree Dialium guianense, in forest fragments in which its main seed disperser, the mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) is present, and in fragments in which it is absent. We also carried out a germination experiment to assess gut-passage effect. Seeds extracted from fruits had very low germination (2%) compared with defecated seeds (70%). Seeds in monkey faeces had a lower probability of being attacked by predators, but a higher probability of being attacked by fungus, when compared with seeds inside fruits. Seed fate was similar in fragments with vs. without monkeys, and in sites under parent trees vs. under monkey sleeping sites. Seedling density was highest under sleeping sites in fragments with monkeys, followed by sites under parent trees in fragments with monkeys, and it was lowest in uninhabited fragments, regardless of deposition site. Our study adds to an increasing line of evidence suggesting that loss of frugivores can have strong consequences for plant recruitment.

Frugivore choice and escape from pre-dispersal seed predators: the case of Dialium guianense and two sympatric primate species in southern Mexico

Seed predation and dispersal play key roles in the regeneration of tropical trees. Pre-dispersal predation may cause high mortality in seed crops. Seeds may escape pre-dispersal predation when ingested with the fruit pulp and moved away from the parent trees by frugivores. In southern Mexico, we investigated if seed traits (i.e., length, width, and mass) and seed damage by insects on Dialium guianense differed according to seed source: from the tree crowns, the ground, and from howler (Alouatta pigra) and spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) feces. We counted the number of seeds with circular entrance and/or exit holes in their tegument. Ingested seeds were larger, heavier, and wider than non-ingested seeds. Seeds ingested by the howler were, however, significantly larger than those ingested by the spider monkey. Damaged seeds showed the lowest values for all seed traits. The proportion of damage declined significantly from seeds on the ground (37 %), to seeds in spider monkey feces (29 %), to seeds from tree crowns (11 %), and finally to seeds in howler monkey feces (7 %). Fruit selection by primates influences dispersal quality differently, even when feeding on the same plant species. The howler monkey may increase the reproductive success of D. guianense by selecting larger and predation-free seeds/fruits.

Seed source, seed traits, and frugivore habits: Implications for dispersal quality of two sympatric primates

• Premise of the study: Frugivore selection of fruits and treatment of seeds together with seed deposition site are crucial for the population dynamics of vertebrate-dispersed plants. However, frugivore species may influence dispersal quality differently even when feeding on the same fruit species and, while animals disperse some seeds, others simply fall beneath the parent plant.• Methods: In southern Mexico, we investigated to see if within-species seed traits (i.e., length, width, weight, and volume) and germination success differed according to seed source. For five tropical tree species we obtained ingested seeds from two sources, howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) and spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) feces; and noningested seeds from two sources, the ground and tree crowns (with predispersed seeds used as control).• Key results: A principal components' analysis showed that traits of seeds ingested by howler monkeys differed from other sources while seeds ingested by spider monkeys were similar to noningested seeds. Howlers consumed on average the larger seeds in Ampelocera hottlei, Brosimum lactescens, and Dialium guianense. Both primate species consumed the smaller seeds in Spondias mombin, while no seed trait differences among seed sources were found in Spondias radlkoferi. For all five tree species, germination rate was greatest for seeds ingested by howler monkeys.• Conclusions: For the studied plant species, seed ingestion by howler monkeys confers higher dispersal quality than ingestion by spider monkeys or nondispersal. Dispersal services of both primate species, however, are not redundant and may contribute to germination heterogeneity within plant populations in tropical forests.

Absence of Howlers (Alouatta palliata) Influences Tree Seedling Densities in Tropical Rain Forest Fragments in Southern Mexico

The disappearance of frugivorous primates in fragmented forests can potentially lower the rates of seed dispersal and recruitment of endozoochorous tree species, thus altering plant community structure. We quantified seedling density for 7 tree species that are common in the feces of mantled howlers (Alouatta palliata) in 6 rain forest fragments in northern Chiapas, Mexico. Howlers were present in 3 of the fragments and absent in the other 3. We compared seedling density in primate sleeping sites in inhabited fragments with control sites, which were structurally similar to sleeping sites but where we did not find monkey feces, in both inhabited and uninhabited fragments. For each tree species, we determined the relationship between seedling density and the local density of seeds and adult trees. In fragments where howlers were present, seedling density for 4 of the focal tree species (Brosimum alicastrum, Dialium guianense, Manilkara zapota, and Nectandra ambigens) was greater in sleeping sites than in control sites found in the same fragments. Moreover, seedling density of Dialium guianense was greater in the control sites of fragments inhabited by howlers than in fragments where this primate is absent. Seedling density of these 4 species correlates positively with seed density on the forest floor; however, we observed no correlations between seedling density and the density of adult trees. Our results suggest that the diversity of the seedling community of tree species dispersed by howlers may decline in fragments where this seed disperser is absent. These findings, together with the fact that only 5% of the study region is currently covered by forest and 81% of the forest remnants are uninhabited by mantled howlers, suggest that the potential long-term recovery of associated populations of tropical tree species dispersed by this primate species is highly uncertain. Conservation and restoration efforts should be aimed at restoring or replacing the ecological role played by this important seed disperser in the region.

Utilização do Quociente de de Liocourt na avaliação da distribuição diamétrica em fragmentos de Floresta Ombrófila Aberta em Pernambuco.

Grande parte da biodiversidade do ecossistema das florestas tropicais está se perdendo, antes mesmo que se tenha inteiro conhecimento de sua riqueza natural, assim, torna-se importante a realização de estudos, a fim de propiciar o conhecimento e a manutenção da sua estrutura, além de viabilizar a exploração de seus produtos, bens e/ou serviços provenientes de forma planejada e racional, garantindo o fluxo contínuo desses recursos. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi utilizar o quociente de De Liocourt na avaliação da distribuição diamétrica em fragmentos de Floresta Ombrófila localizados no município de Catende, Zona da Mata Sul do estado de Pernambuco, visando a descrever a estrutura diamétrica dos fragmentos estudados pelo seu Índice de Valor de Importância (IVI), bem como avaliar a degradação e o estado sucessional das áreas. A distribuição diamétrica comportou-se como o esperado para florestas inequiâneas, ou seja, curva de distribuição diamétrica assemelhando-se a um J-invertido. Os valores de área basal nos fragmentos foram de 23,6m2.ha-1, para a Mata das Caldeiras e de 20,9 m2.ha-1 para a Mata das Galinhas. Os fragmentos pesquisados encontram-se em estágio médio de sucessão. Algumas espécies apresentaram dificuldades na taxa de recrutamento, podendo gerar futuramente a sua extinção. Espécies como: Tapirira guianensis Aubl., Dialium guianense (Aubl.) Sandwith e Brosimum discolor Schott, demonstraram estrutura diamétrica distinta entre os fragmentos. A espécie Plathymenia foliolosa Benth. apresentou descontinuidade acentuada na estrutura diamétrica em ambas as áreas.

Estrutura de um fragmento florestal no Engenho Humaitá, Catende, Pernambuco, Brasil

Avaliou-se, neste trabalho, a estrutura de um fragmento florestal antropizado denominado Mata das Galinhas, Engenho Humaitá, Catende, Pernambuco, e se utilizaram, para avaliar a composição florística e a estrutura fitossociológica, 14 parcelas de 10 x 25 m a fim de amostrar os indivíduos arbóreos com circunferência a 1,30 m do solo (CAP) ≥ 10 cm. Foram estimados, então, densidade, frequência e dominância e valor de importância (VI) e o índice de Shannon, além de registrados 438 indivíduos pertencentes a 63 espécies, 45 gêneros e 29 famílias. As famílias de maior importância foram Mimosaceae, Moraceae, Anacardiaceae e Lecythidaceae e as espécies com maiores valores de VI, foram Brosimum discolor, Parkia pendula, Eschweilera ovata, Thyrsodium spruceanum, Tapirira guianensis, Protium heptaphyllum, Casearia arborea, Helicostylis tomentosa, Dialium guianense, Schefflera morototoni, Himatanthus phagedaenicus e Cupania racemosa. Quando observado isoladamente, conclui-se que o fragmento estudado possui pouca relevância; entretanto, se considerado conjuntamente com outros fragmentos da área, sua diversidade é significativa o que justificaria esforços para sua conservação e manejo.

Estrutura fitossociológica e classificação sucessional do componente arbóreo em um fragmento de floresta atlântica em Igarassu – Pernambuco

This work aimed to analyze the phytossociological structure and successional classification and to identify the level of occupation of lianas in a fragment of a Dense Arborous Forest, Igarassu – PE, with an area of 48.84 hectares. It was divided into 40 plots of 10 x 25 meters (10.000 m2), individuals withCAP ? 10 cm were sampled and heights estimated with a height pruning scissors with 2 meter modules. In the area 99 species were identified, distributed in 42 families, totaling 1,793 individuals. As for successional classification, the majority of the species is at pioneering and initial secondary, suggestingthat the area is in initial succession. The families Myrtaceae and Mimosaceae contributed in large number of species (24). The most numerous families were Lecythidaceae, Anacardiaceae and Araliaceae (635 individuals). Tapirira guianensis Aubl., Eschweilera ovata (Cambess.) Miers, Schefflera morototoni(Aubl.) Maguire, Steyerm. & Frodin, Dialium guianense (Aubl.) Sandwith, Byrsonima sericea DC., Inga thibaudiana Benth., Thyrsodium spruceanum Benth., Cupania racemosa Mart., Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth. e Miconia prasina (Sw.) DC are the species that can be highlighted. The Shannon – Wiener (H’)diversity rate of 3,685 nats/ind. is inside the patterns found among studies carried out in Pernambuco. The majority of individuals do not present infestation for Lianas.

Seed Dynamics of Early and Late Successional Tree Species in Tropical Abandoned Pastures: Seed Burial as a Way of Evading Predation

Abstract We explored different treatments to enhance the probability of sowed seeds of two early successional (ES, Cecropia obtusifolia and Ochroma pyramidale) and two late successional (LS, Brosimum costaricanum and Dialium guianense) species to escape predation and germinate in abandoned cattle‐raising pasture fields in Southeastern Mexico. ES species were sown in groups of 50 seeds under three treatments: invertebrate exclusion, burial, and exposition to seedeaters. LS species were sown in groups of 10 seeds under three treatments: vertebrate exclusion, burial, and exposition to seedeaters. We registered seed predation and germination 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 days after the initial sowing. Overall, ES showed higher predation rates (mean ± SE = 0.45 ± 0.07 seed seed−1 day−1; n = 3) than LS species (0.09 ± 0.02 seed seed−1 day−1). Cecropia obtusifolia was completely predated in all treatments after 8 days. Burial and exclusion treatments reduced final predation in circa 6% for O. pyramidale, relative to that of exposed seeds (85% after 8 days); most germination occurred in buried seeds (3.7%). In B. costaricanum, burial enabled germination by 10%; exposed and excluded seeds were removed 100%. Dialium guianense showed 12% germination in buried seeds and circa 20% of the seeds were not removed after 64 days. Direct sowing would be a recommended rainforest restoration practice for species with relatively large seeds if deposited in groups and buried. Studies which address variation across numerous sites are necessary in order to generate more consistent seed predation patterns and rainforest restoration principles in tropical pastures.

Estrutura fitossociológica do componente arbóreo de um fragmento de Floresta Ombrófila Densa na mata sul de Pernambuco, nordeste do Brasil.

A Tabebuia aurea (craibeira) é uma espécie arbórea nativa que pode ser utilizada na recomposição de áreas degradadas, como planta ornamental e fornecedora de madeira de boa qualidade. O presente trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar o efeito de diferentes temperaturas e substratos sobre a germinação das sementes e o crescimento inicial de plântulas de Tabebuia aurea. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 5 x 5 (cinco substratos: papel toalha, areia, vermiculita, pó de coco e Tropstrato®; cinco temperaturas: 25, 30, 35, 20-30 e 20-35ºC), com quatro repetições de 25 sementes cada. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: germinação, primeira contagem da germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, tempo médio de germinação, comprimento e massa seca da parte aérea e do sistema radicial. As temperaturas e substratos influenciaram as características avaliadas, exceto a avaliação final da germinação, a qual variou entre 84 e 94%. As temperaturas ótimas de germinação foram 30 e 35ºC. Os substratos papel toalha e entre areia foram mais adequados para avaliação segura da qualidade fisiológica de sementes de Tabebuia aurea.

Caracterização da vegetação arbórea adulta em um fragmento de floresta atlântica, Igarassu-PE

The main objective of this study was to provide a characterization of adult tree vegetation in a fragment of Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil. Forty plots (10 x 25m) were set up, totaling 1 ha, in which all woody individuals with PBH ? 15 cm were sampled. A total of 1,576 individuals were recorded, of 115 species, 41 families and 69 genera. Shannon-Weaver diversity index was of 3.6 nats/ ind. Most species-rich families were: Myrtaceae (17 species), Melastomataceae and Mimosaceae (7), Caesalpiniaceae and Sapotaceae (6), Apocynaceae, Fabaceae and Rubiaceae (5). Most important species wereEschweilera ovata, Dialium guianense, Pogonophora schomburgkiana, Brosimum discolor, Tapirira guianensis, Maytenus disticophylla, Parkia pendula, Byrsonima sericea, Allophyllus edulis and Ouratea hexasperma. Distribution of individuals per diameter classes showed a “reversed J” shape; per height classes, most individuals were concentrated at intermediate classes. Tree diversity in this fragment is amongst mean values recorded at the State. Most important families and species are also frequent in other surveys in forest remnants in the State of Pernambuco. The fact that a great number of individuals appear in low diameter and height classes may suggest that the fragment in regenerating, with areas at initial stages of succession.

Estudo da regeneração natural de espécies arbóreas em fragmento de Floresta Ombrófila Densa, Mata das Galinhas, no município de Catende, zona da mata sul de Pernambuco.

O estudo foi desenvolvido no fragmento denominado Mata das Galinhas, situado no município de Catende - PE, na mesorregião da mata pernambucana, mais precisamente na microrregião da mata úmida, a 142 Km da capital, nas coordenadas 8º69'06"S e 35º69'08" W, com altitude média de 199m. O relevo varia, predominantemente, de ondulado a forte ondulado. Os solos predominantes são classificados como latossolo vermelho distrófico e nitossolo vermelho associado ao latossolo. A vegetação é de Floresta Ombrófila Densa. Neste estudo, objetivou-se avaliar a regeneração natural de espécies arbóreas no fragmento florestal e verificar a diversidade e a estrutura das espécies no mesmo. Para a estimativa da regeneração natural das espécies arbóreas, foram locadas, de forma sistemática, 16 subparcelas de 25 m² (5 x 5 m), no centro de 16 unidades amostrais permanentes de 250 m2 (10,0 x 25,0 m), para o estudo da fitossociologia da comunidade arbórea adulta, com um distanciamento de 50 m entre si. O nível de inclusão foi de CAP < 15 cm, e a medição de altura (h) foi dividida em classes, em que a classe 1 contemplou indivíduos com 1,0 < h < 2,0 m, a classe 2 com indivíduos 2,0 < h < 3,0 m e a classe, 3 indivíduos com h > 3,0 m. Foram realizados os cálculos da suficiência amostral e da diversidade. No fragmento, foram amostrados 194 indivíduos, pertencentes a 31 famílias botânicas e a 60 espécies arbóreas. Destas, 42 foram identificadas em nível de espécie; 4,em nível de gênero; 2, em nível de família; e 2, indeterminadas. As dez espécies com maiores valores para regeneração natural Total da População Amostrada (RNT) representaram 53,78%, estando assim distribuídas: Brosimum discolor Schott (9,98%), Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand (9,19%), Eschweilera ovata (Cambess.) Miers (8,01%), Thyrsodium spruceanum Benth. (7,0%), Dialium guianense (Aubl.) Sandwith (5,44%), Erythroxylum squamatum Sw. (3,32%), Cupania revoluta Rolfe (3,16%), Sorocea hilarii Gaudich. (2,66%), Cordia nodosa Lam. (2,52%) e Tapirira guianensis Aubl. (2,50%). Tais espécies apresentaram capacidade de regeneração no fragmento, sendo que, no futuro, provavelmente, serão as principais responsáveis pela manutenção da estrutura e fisionomia da floresta. O índice de diversidade encontrado para o fragmento foi de 3,57 nats/ind.

Quantitative Ethnobotany in an Atlantic Forest Fragment of Northeastern Brazil – Implications to Conservation

An ethnobotanical study was executed in the rural community of the Municipality of "Rio Formoso", starting from the forest inventory accomplished in an Atlantic Forest remnant adjacent to the studied community. Using the methodology of quantitative ethnobotany allied to the ecological parameters (richness, relative frequency, relative density, relative dominance and importance value index) the following results were obtained: 42 inventoried species gathered in 26 families, presented from 1 to 27 means of use for the community. The largest use of the plants is related to obtaining wood in order to be used in house building, firewood production and charcoal. The largest use value was attributed to the Vouacapoua virgilioides (Kunth) Kuntze. The most frequent species were Tapirira guianensis Aubl. (Anacardiaceae), Thyrsodium schomburgkianum Benth. (Anacardiaceae), Schefflera morototoni (Aubl.) Maguire, Steyem. & Frodin (Araliaceae) and Dialium guianense (Aubl.) Sandwith. (Leg-Caesalpinioideae).