Dynamics of the shrub-tree component of an alluvial gallery forest on the PoÃos de Caldas Plateau, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil / DinÃmica do componente arbustivo-arbÃreo de uma floresta de galeria aluvial no planalto de PoÃos de Caldas, MG

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2007

RESUMO

The dynamics of the shrub-tree component was investigated in an alluvial gallery forest in PoÃos de Caldas, Minas Gerais, from 1998 to 2005. The work hypothesis was that the rates of the dynamics of the alluvial gallery forests are less than other tropical riparian forest formations. Seasonal flooding was also studied to see if it generates a spatial variation in the dynamics of going from the stream side towards the forest border, and also in which sylvigenetic cycle the forest can be placed. The sample consisted of 101, 10 by 10-meter plots that were distributed in five blocks extending approximately 8 km along the Antas River gallery forest. Each block was divided into three sectors (stream side, forest interior, and forest edge). The mortality and individual recruitment rates were calculated, plus the loss and gain in basal area for the entire sample, for the five blocks, for the three sectors, and for the diameter classes. Compared with other tropical forests, especially the riparian ones, this forest showed lower rates in terms of structural alterations, confirming the previous hypothesis. Also a spatial variation was observed in the direction of going from the stream side to the border. The forest edge is more dynamic, mainly due to the greater amount of sunlight, which supplies an adequate environment for species with a short life cycle. On the other hand, the water saturation in the edge sector showed a lower Shannon index, due to the more restrictive environment for several species. The overall forest presents itself in structural terms as being in a âlate construction stage, with occurrence of self-thinningâ. However, it is difficult to infer if a stable stage will be reached in the future because of the catastrophic floods that can affect the community.

ASSUNTO(S)

ecologia de ecossistemas

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