Natural regeneration of arboreal species in different communities in a remnant of mixed ombrophylous forest

The diversity of environments found in natural forests can influence the natural regeneration and dynamics of succession in the future. The goal of this study was to evaluate the natural regeneration of arboreal species in different communities (floristic groups) of a mixed ombrophylous forest. It was sampled 69 plots with dimensions 10m x 10m, where individuals with 3.0cm ≤ circumference at breast height (CBH) >30.0cm were measured. The individuals with CBH >3.0cm and height ≥50cm in subunits of 3.16m x 3.16m were measured. The species with the greatest potential for natural regeneration in the evaluated communities were Sebastiania brasiliensis and Stillingia oppositifolia (Group 1), Myrceugenia cucullata and Allophylus guaraniticus (Group 2) and Stillingia oppositifolia and Myrceugenia miersiana (Group 3). The species Allophylus edulis, Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Justicia sp., Myrceugenia cucullata and Stillingia oppositifolia were among the top 10 species in all three communities, showing a high potential for regeneration. The three communities have facilitated the occurrence of high species richness (Group 1=101; Group 2= 98; Group 3=101). However, early secondary and late secondary species showed greater adaptation to different forest sites with higher density compared to pioneer species.

phytosociology; population structure; ecological groups; araucaria forest.