This study was conducted at Mata do Pau-ferro State Ecological Reserve, Brejo Paraibano, Areia, Paraiba. Six regenerating sites were selected to evaluate structure and floristic composition of the forest at different ages: two sites were seven years old (C7); two were 15 (C15) and two were 20 (C20). The shrub-tree stratum and natural regeneration were surveyed in three plots (4×35 m) at each site. All individuals > 0.2 m in height were identified by common name; diameter at ground level and total height were measured. We recorded 4997 individuals in 40 families, 74 genera and 90 species, in a total area of 2520 m². The basal area of the forest at different ages was 2.5, 11.5 and 37.6 m² ha-1 for C7, C15 e C20, respectively. The species with highest importance values at the three sites were: Diplotropis purpurea (Rich) Amchoff, Machaerium aculeatum Raddi, Erythroxylum pauferrense Plowman, Albizia polycephala (Benth.) Killip, Verbensina diversifolia DC., Allophylus laevigatus Radlk., Guapira opposita (Vell.) Reitz, Malouetia cestroides Muell. Arg. and Talisia esculenta (A. St.-Hil.) Radlk. We observed an increment in community complexity related to time after disturbance, resulting from incoming new species (higher richness), increased biomass (basal area), density and equitability. Our results indicate that the structure of the 20-year-old forest, as revealed by height-class distribution, is close to that expected for mature forests.
secondary succession; montane forest; natural regeneration; phytosociology
