Structure, diversity, and spatial patterns in a permanent plot of a high Restinga forest in Southeastern Brazil

Author(s)

Ferreira de Lima, Renato Augusto ^[1] ; de Oliveira, Alexandre Adalardo ^[2] ; Zanforlin Martini, Adriana Maria ^{[3, 2]} ; Sampaio, Daniela ^[4] ; Souza, Vinicius Castro ^[5] ; Rodrigues, Ricardo Ribeiro ^[5]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Programa Posgrad Ecol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Ecol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Artes Ciencias & Humanidades, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Presbiteriana Mackenzie, Ctr Ciencias Biol & Saude, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Biol, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Acta Botanica Brasilica; v. 25, n. 3, p. 633-645, JUL-SEP 2011.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

We assessed the structure, diversity and distribution of tree species in a 10.24-ha permanent plot of high Restinga forest (HRF) in southeastern Brazil. We sampled 15,040 individuals belonging to 45 families, 87 genera and 116 species (density= 1,468 trees ha-1, and basal area= 28.0 m² ha-1). Mean richness was lower than other types of tropical forests and other HRFs that have been less intensively sampled, which is probably due to the younger age and hydromorphy of the soils in the study site. Tree density, basal area, species composition, and diversity all varied considerably depending on the size class considered. The studied plot had a density similar to other tropical forests but with a smaller basal area (fewer individuals > 60 cm in diameter), and higher density of smaller trees. Multi-stemmed individuals were not frequent (11% of the trees), though they were widespread among species (74% of the species). Spatial distribution was predominantly clumped, a pattern common to other types of tropical forests. Besides growing over white-sand soils, the PEIC plot and other white-sand forests of the world also had very similar patterns of community structure, richness and diversity. Therefore, we consider the HRF as a recognizable subtype of white-sand forest. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 99/09635-0 - Diversity, dynamics and conservation in São Paulo State Forests: 40ha of permanent parcels
• Grantee: Ricardo Ribeiro Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants