The aiming of this work was to evaluate the effects of environmental factors on both the survival and initial growth of Ocotea pulchella (Nees) Mez at a restinga forest. The tests consisted of transplanting seedlings classified into two age groups (seedlings and juveniles) in different areas selected as for plant covering (gaps or understorey) and soil moisture (dry or wet). Both seedlings and juveniles presented the highest mortality rate when they were planted in the 'wet understorey', in which the lowest soil fertility and irradiance levels were recorded. Seedling survival correlated positively with growth, which was promoted in gaps, suggesting a dependence of the species on more lighted environments, although O. pulchella can occupy the understorey in more open physiognomies such as restinga forest. The juveniles survival correlated mainly with edaphic factors; the growth in height was very low and no significant increase in leaf area and dry weight was observed in any of the environments, what can be related to the oligotrophic characteristics of the soil. Juveniles planted in 'wet understorey' presented the lowest height, leaf area, leaf area ratio, leaf mass ratio and net assimilation rate values, suggesting that the species recruitment in the restinga can be reduced in environments with low irradiances and waterlogged soils. However, the somehow generalist character of the species in response to irradiance levels and soil moisture may suggest a high ability of O. pulchella in colonizing distinct micro-environments at restinga, in which environmental factors may fluctuate greatly over time and space.
seedling; regeneration; micro-environment; Ilha do Cardoso; sandy coastal plane
