The behaviour of seedlings and coppice-regenerants of Astronium urundeuva was observed in a pasture. A ratio of 1,7 and 2 regenerants for each seedling was recorded. Spatial distribution of Astronium seedlings and coppiceregenerants proved to be clustered rather than randomly dispersed. Vegetative regeneration seems to have played a more important role in the maintenance of the species in the study area when compared to sexual reproduction. This is probably due to competition between pasture species and the seedlings in the early stages of establishment. However, onde established, seedlings seem to do very well. When methods for in situ conservation are being proposed for Astronium it is important to consider not only seedlings but also coppice-regenerants, as it is almost impossible, at present, to conserve the species in areas without human disturbance.
Astronium; seedling; coppice-regeneration; in situ conservation