Spatial continuity structures comparison in four forest formation in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

The classical sampling theory applied to ecological studies generally aim to perform inference on the parameters of communities and populations. However, many times the interest is also the recognition of the community’s spatial pattern. In this study models were adjusted for comparing the spatial structures of four forest formations. Four permanent plots located in different forest formations in São Paulo State were used. Data of basal area, biomass and density were obtained from sub-plots of 20 × 20 m considering all the trees in the plot, trees located in the lower and intermediate strata (understory stratum) and trees located in the canopy and emerging strata (canopy layer). The adjustment and comparison of the structures of spatial continuity of the four forest formations were performed by means of a geostatistic model, and the selection of models by the Akaike information criterion. It was found that the structures of spatial continuity were distinct between the four forest formations strata, being most pronounced in the understory. Considering the forest formation it was found that the spatial structures were different, more pronounced for the Savanna and Dense Rain Forest.