The seed dispersal syndrome is related to species migration and colonization of new sites suitable for survival and reproduction. We studied three succession stages of riparian vegetation in the Atlantic Forest Domain (capoeira = 5 years of regeneration; secondary = 45 years of regeneration; and primary forest (mature) - no intervention in 35 years). The species were classified into syndromes zoochory, anemochory and autochory. The results showed the predominance of zoochory in all the three phases of riparian forest succession, with percentages ranging from 82% to 93% of the species and 47% to 92% of individuals. Anemochory was the second most common dispersal syndrome, with prevailing abundance higher in the capoeira phase (25%). Autochory occurred in mature forest with. Gymnanthes concolor individuals of the understory. The participation of zoochory in the three stages of succession demonstrates that plant-animal relationship is highly important for the riparian forest succession in the extreme south of the Atlantic Forest.
Forest ecology; Riparian forest; Forest regeneration
