Horizontal structure of Ombrophilous dense forest of lowlands in Sooretama Biological Reserve, Linhares

Abstract

This work aimed to analyze horizontal structure of arboreal vegetation from a “tableland” forest. A phytosociological sample was carried out on 100 contiguous plots of 10 X 10 meters. We sampled the individuals with PBH ≥ 15 cm, built up the diametric distribution and estimated spatial species distribution pattern. We sampled 1519 individuals, which were distributed into 265 species, 138 genera and 44 families. Shannon’s Index (H’) was estimated at 4.87 nats/ind. Species with the highest IV were Rinorea bahiensis (Moric.) Kuntze, Eriotheca macrophylla (K. Schum.) A. Robyns and Sterculia speciosa K. Schum. In relation to ecological groups, the late secondary species obtained CV and IV, twice as much as the early secondary ones. Pioneers presented truncated diametric distribution, as long as the early secondary had a broader one. Shadow tolerant species predominance reinforces that successional stadium is advanced. It had been found 10 species with aggregated spatial distribution and 29 random ones.