A comunidade arbórea de um trecho de Floresta Atlântica secundária no Jardim Botânico da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the composition, structure and diversity of the tree community in a stretch of a semidecidous forest in the intermediate stage of regeneration in the Botanical Garden of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, municipality of Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil. The trees (DBH ≥ 5 cm) were sampled at 25 random plots of 20m x 20m (1 ha). We sampled 2535 individuals, 385 standing dead and 2150 living individuals belonging to 105 species, 79 genera and 39 families. The most important species in the community were Xylopia sericea, Miconia urophylla, Ocotea diospyrifolia, Vismia guianensis, Psychotria vellosiana, Syzygium jambos, which together amounted to 41,5% of VI. The most representative families were Fabaceae, Lauraceae, Melastomataceae, Myrtaceae e Rubiaceae, wich together amounted 45,7% of species. As a reflection of strong ecological dominance, the index value of species diversity (Shannon H '= 3,30 nats.ind-1) was low compared with secondary forests of similar phytophysiognomy of the region. The 385 standing dead trees represent 15,2% of individuals, a high proportion in comparison with other secondary forests in the region. The diameter distribution of the community and principal populations was like "reverse-J", with a large concentration of individuals in the first class, showing high regenerative capacity. The detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) of quantitative (absolute density) of species, resulted in short gradients, being found eigenvalue greater than 0,30 only for the axis 1, showing that the fragment has low internal heterogeneity. There was a strong predominance of species of early succession stages (pioneer and early secondary). The vast majority of species (51.5%) and individuals (81.4%) presented zoochorous dispersion. The results show that although the forest fragment possesses more than 70 years of natural regeneration time, the tree community presents a succession process that seems slow, with low diversity and characteristics of an immature forest yet. In contrast, the area has endangered species and has families typical of mature forest as Lauraceae and Myrtaceae with good representation. In other words, the fragment is very important for the preservation of regional biodiversity and appropriate management actions can improve its quality over time.