Community succession in an urban novel forest after four decades of regeneration

Abstract

This study aimed to analyse the tree community of an urban forest with 40 years of natural regeneration after abandonment of the degraded land. We hypothesized that after four decades of forest succession, the diversity, structure and functional aspects of the community would be similar to other secondary surrounding forests. We established ten plots (20x 20m), where all trees with DBH ≥ 5 cm were sampled. The inventory included 605 trees (1513 ind.ha-1 ) distributed across 25 species. The diversity index (H’ = 0.92) and basal area (10.43 m2.ha-1) were lower than in surrounding forests. The results showed a great dominance of Eremanthus erythropappus with consequent delay in successional advance, and low potential of attraction of fauna, which suggests the need for management to control its population. Understanding the functioning of novel urban forests and discussing these neglected ecosystems is fundamental to guide management actions for both human and ecosystem prosperity.