Extensive eucalyptus plantations are observed in Brazil, especially in Minas Gerais State, which has this culture as a profitable activity in marginal areas. Trying to reduce effects of forest harvest on native vegetation and selection of some species as angiquinho (Mimosa gemmulata Barneby), this study aimed to evaluate secondary succession in eucalyptus stands of different ages and managements after exploration, the floristic composition and horizontal and vertical structure of shrub-arboreal was compared with fragments of Cerrado. The work was conducted in a representative area of this biome on Vale do Jequitinhonha. Phytosociological parameters and the indexes of diversity and similarity were calculated at the environments with initial and advanced recuperation, with and without eucalyptus. Control environment was Cerrado restricted sense. There were samples of 42 families, 99 genera, 150 species and 1268 individuals. Floristic composition and phytosociological parameters indicated existence of families, genera and species of great relevance, typical of Cerrado. Removing eucalyptus at initial regeneration did not affect diversity. However, removing at advanced stage provided diversity reduction, permitting colonization by pioneer species as Mimosa gemmulata Barneby. On the other hand, maintaining eucalyptus at advanced recuperation resulted in higher values of diversity and other natural attributes. Results will subsidize management practices to be adopted in similar areas, aiming biological diversity maintenance in sites used in biodiversity corridor reestablishment among cultivated areas.
Angiquinho; Phytosociology; Monoculture
