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This study aimed to evaluate the influence of spatial structure and environmental variables on floristic-structural organization of the tree component, in an Alluvial Araucaria Forest, in southern Brazil. To do so, 48 200 m2 sampling units were allocated in the study area, located in the municipality of Lages, SC state. All trees within the sampling units, with diameter at breast height (dbh) equal to or greater than 5 cm were identified. The environmental and spatial variables were measured in each sampling unit. The data were analyzed through Mantel Correlogram, Variation Partitioning, Redundancy Analysis, analysis of Principal Coordinates of Neighbor Matrices and correlation tests. A total of 1,462 individuals, belong to 66 species, were sampled. Together, the environmental and spatial variables explained 24.13% of total variation, with the largest part (15.22%) being spatially structured. The significant environmental variables were topography (maximum elevation difference) and fertility (bases sum and P). It is possible to conclude that the tree component is organized as a floristic-structural gradient. Furthermore, the results suggest that the inundation regime and the presence of flood prone areas were relevant for micro-habitat definitions, that influenced the distribution of species.

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that different landscape elements, such as corridors, connected and non-connected forest fragments, have a tree component with floristic-structural differences. For this sake, the tree component of a fragment-corridor system was sampled by permanent plots (10 × 20 m), totaling an area of 1.4 ha. Within the plots, tree individuals with the circumference at breast height (cbh) greater than 15.7 cm, which botanical identities were determined in the field, were sampled and counted. The landscapes metrics (fragment size area, nearest neighbor distance and edge-interior relation) were extracted from a LANDSAT image, by FRAGSTAT software. The organization and richness of the tree component in the landscape were analyzed through Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS), non-parametric multivariate variance analysis (NPMANOVA), Jaccard and Bray-Curtis dissimilarities indices, rarefaction, Venn diagram and indicator species analysis. Three non-connected fragments, two connected fragments and two forest corridors were recognized. In these landscape elements, a total of 84 species, 60 genera and 36 botanical families were found. The most floristically distinctive landscape element was the corridor. The hypothesis that the different landscape elements have a tree component with floristic-structural differences was accepted, supporting the idea that the spatial organization of forest fragments and corridors is relevant for the organization of tree vegetation in a landscape scale.

This study aimed to describe the functional traits of tree species in an Araucaria Forest fragment, in the municipality of Lages, SC state, in order to group them functionally. For each of the 20 most abundant species in the study area, a total of 10 individuals were sampled for the determination of the mean wood density and mean leaf size. The leaf renovation regimes, the dispersal syndrome and the maximum height in the fragment were also described for these species. The results of maximum height and wood density suggest the existence of a trade-off between investment of resources in height growth, ensuring access to some higher light availability, or in wood density, allowing for greater resilience and survival in a shaded understory environment. The gymnosperm species, Podocarpus lambertii and Araucaria angustifolia showed smaller leaves, while Cupania vernalis, Jacaranda puberula and Matayba elaeagnoides, all of compound leaves, had larger ones. Four functional groups stood out: 1) Evergreen with large leaves, 2) Evergreen with small leaves, 3) Deciduous with zoochoric syndrome, and 4) Deciduous with nonzoochoric syndrome. The results showed that the most abundant species of the studied Araucaria Forest fragment present functional trait variations, suggesting different life strategies.

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to characterize the floristic-structural heterogeneity of the tree species in an alluvial forest remnant considering three sectors: forest-river edge, forest interior and forest/non-forest matrix edge. Forty-eight plots of 200 m 2 were allocated and all tree individuals with a diameter at breast height (dbh) equal to or greater than 5 cm were measured and identified. Data was analyzed by Shannon’s diversity index, Pielou evenness and phytosociological descriptors. Plots were ordered through NMDS. Sixty-six species were sampled and Myrtaceae was found to be the richest family. Diversity and evenness reached 2.96 and 0.71, respectively. Sebastiania commersoniana (Baill.) L.B.Sm. & Downs presented the highest importance value (21.22%). The NMDS showed that tree components are spatially partitioned according to sectors, therefore indicating floristic-structural heterogeneity.

RESUMOEste estudo teve por objetivo analisar como a distribuição e riqueza de espécies raras em fragmentos de Floresta Ombrófila Mista ocorrem ao longo de um gradiente altitudinal. Para isso, espécies arbóreas (diâmetro à altura do peito > 5 cm) foram amostradas em 10 fragmentos florestais localizados em diferentes pisos altitudinais do Planalto Sul-Catarinense, em uma área total de 10 ha. As espécies que apresentaram número de indivíduos igual ou inferior a 2 em pelo menos um fragmento foram classificadas como raras. A distribuição das espécies foi verificada por meio de dendrograma construído a partir do índice de distância florística de Jaccard e do algoritmo de agrupamento UPGMA. A riqueza total de espécies por fragmento e o número de espécies raras foram comparados entre as subformações montana e alto-montana, por meio do teste de Mann-Whitney (U). As relações entre altitude e os valores de riqueza total e número de espécies raras em cada fragmento foram determinadas por regressões lineares simples. Os resultados indicaram a formação de dois grandes grupos de espécies raras em função do piso altitudinal. Apesar de a riqueza total das comunidades reduzir com o aumento da altitude, o número de espécies raras não apresentou alterações significativas. Conclui-se que na região do Planalto Sul-Catarinense os fragmentos de Floresta Ombrófila Mista apresentam diferentes conjunto de espécies arbóreas raras de acordo com a altitude e que a diminuição da riqueza das comunidades com o aumento do piso altitudinal não é acompanhada pela redução do número de espécies raras.

Este trabalho teve como proposta analisar as variações espaciais, florísticas e estruturais do componente arbóreo de um sistema de fragmentos de Floresta Ombrófila Mista no Planalto catarinense. Para isso, foram alocadas 50 parcelas de 200 m² (10 x 20 m) em quatro fragmentos, cujos indivíduos com diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP) > 5 cm foram identificados e medidos. Foi calculado o Índice de Valor de Importância e realizada a comparação florístico-estrutural entre os fragmentos, por meio de Análise de Variância Multivariada Não Paramétrica (NPMANOVA). Espécies indicadoras de cada fragmento foram determinadas por meio da Análise de Espécies Indicadoras (ISA). Foram identificadas 73 espécies, sendo a de maior valor de importância Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) Kuntze. Houve diferença na estrutura do componente arbóreo dos fragmentos (p = 0,001), sendo possível identificar espécies indicadoras para os fragmentos 1, 2 e 3. Este estudo demonstrou que fragmentos próximos entre si podem apresentar variações florístico-estruturais, que devem ser consideradas na definição de estratégias de manejo e conservação florestal.

Resumo Objetivou-se investigar como a heterogeneidade ambiental influencia as variações espaciais dos atributos funcionais e a diversidade funcional do componente arbóreo em uma floresta nebular no sul do Brasil. Foram selecionadas as 19 espécies arbóreas mais abundantes identificadas em um inventário realizado em um fragmento florestal. As variáveis ambientais utilizadas foram obtidas de um trabalho prévio realizado na mesma área. Dessas espécies, foram obtidas a densidade da madeira, área foliar, área foliar específica, altura máxima potencial, deciduidade e síndrome de dispersão. Foram determinados os valores médios dos atributos ponderados para a comunidade e de diversidade funcional. Os dados ambientais foram ordenados por meio de Análise de Componentes Principais e modelos lineares foram ajustados relacionando os Componentes Principais significativos e os valores de atributos funcionais e de diversidade funcional. Enquanto os locais com maior fertilidade do solo favoreceram espécies com estratégias aquisitivas, representadas pela menor densidade da madeira e maior área foliar, e apresentaram maior diversidade funcional; os ambientes menos férteis favoreceram estratégias conservativas, representadas pela maior densidade da madeira e menor área foliar, e apresentaram uma menor diversidade funcional. Conclui-se que a floresta estudada apresentou o particionamento de habitats, em função de variações edáficas, por espécies com estratégias ecológicas distintas.

This study aimed to survey the community organization and the phylogenetic structure of tree species component in a nebular forest, in the municipality of Urubici, Santa Catarina state. A total of 25 plots (400 m 2 ) were allocated, where all trees with circumference at breast height (cbh) equal or superior than 15.7 cm were measured (cbh) and identified. The Shannon index and phytosociological descriptors were determined. The dispersal syndromes of propagules were determined and the spatial distribution of each species was analyzed. The phylogenetic structure was evaluated by the values of ‘Mean Pairwise Distance’ (MPD) and Net Relatedness Index (NRI), determined through a phylogenetic tree built in function of the species sampled, an abundance matrix of species by plots and 1,000 simulations of a community with phylogenetic randomness organization. The spatial structure of the phylogenetic metrics was analyzed through I Moran Index. A total of 1,579 trees were sampled, belonging to 33 species, with Myrtaceae as the richest family. The low value of diversity (2.43), associated to low richness, is expected for nebular forest, where the environment is typically selective. The most representative species in the forest was Myrceugenia euosma (O.Berg) D.Legrand (VI = 24.51%). The predominant dispersal syndrome was zoochory (84.85%), followed by anemochory (15.15%); and the species showed predominantly a clustered spatial distribution. The community had variation in relation to the phylogenetic structure, with most plots showing no significant difference from the null model of complete randomness.

The present study aimed to evaluate the tree species population dynamics in a fragment of Montane Araucaria Forest, in the municipality of Lages, Santa Catarina (SC) state, along a period of four years (2008-2012). For this, for all species sampled, in 50 permanent plots of 10x20m, the regeneration guilds [pioneer (P), light-demanding climax (LDC) and shade-tolerant climax (STC)] and dynamics rates were determined (mortality, recruitment, loss and gain in basal area, net change in abundance and basal area). The existence of significant association between regeneration guilds and dynamic rates was verified by chisquare tests, applied to contingency tables. Changes in relative participation of regeneration guilds between years were analyzed using proportion tests. In 2008, 87 species were found (P: 9, LDC: 64, STC: 11, nonclassified: 3), 1.841 ind.ha-1 and 36.17 m².ha-1. In 2012, 86 species (P: 9, LDC: 63, STC: 11, non-classified: 3), 1.882 ind.ha-1 and 39.17 m².ha-1 were observed. Most species showed gains in basal area. Among the most abundant, the highest rates of recruitment and basal area gain were observed for Banara tomentosa Clos, with, respectively, 5.43%.year-1 and 6.08%.year-1, and the highest rates of mortality and basal area loss occurred for Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam., with, respectively, 7.75%.year-1 and 4.74%.year-1. No significant association between the dynamics patterns and regeneration guilds was observed, whose relative participations in the community, during the evaluated period, were constants. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that the forest fragment is in the process of structural instability, indicated by the increment of the number of individuals and basal area, and floristic-successional stability, due to the low floristic substitution and maintenance of the relative importance of the regeneration guilds, along the evaluated period.

The present study aimed to verify the relationships between tree species organization and environmental variables in a fragment of Araucaria Forest. To do so, in the locality of Coxilha Rica, in the region called “Planalto Sul Catarinense” region, a total of 50 plots of 200 m2 were allocated in a forest fragment, where all living trees with CAP (circumference at breast height, measured at 1.30 m above ground) greater than or equal to 15.7 cm were sampled, measured and identified. Environmental variables related to the terrain, canopy cover and soil chemical and physical properties were obtained for each plot. Phytosociological estimators were calculated and the plots ordinated in function of species abundance by NMDS analyze (Nonmetric multidimensional scalling). Then, the environmental variables were fitted to the produced ordination, being those significant variables (p ≤ 0.01) plotted as vectors. A total of 1,447 individuals, distributed in 69 species were sampled. Myrcia guianensis (Aubl.) DC. was the most relative important species (10.43% of IV). Drimys brasiliensis Miers stood out in steeper areas, with higher elevation and with less fertile soils, with greater values of OM, Al and Na. Sebastiania commersoniana (Baill.) LB Sm & Downs and others stood out in flat areas, with more fertile soils and low content of OM, Al and Na. We concluded that terrain and soil chemical properties represent an important source of floristic-structural heterogeneity in the study fragment.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to understand the dynamics of an Upper Montane Mixed Ombrophilous Forest in the municipality of Painel, Santa Catarina, Brazil, where low-level but chronic disturbances, such as extensive cattle grazing and exploitation of non-timber products, are common practices. In 2008, permanent plots were allocated and all tree species with circumference at breast height (CBH) equal to or greater than 15.7 cm were measured. A second survey was conducted in 2014 by the same methodology. Mortality, recruitment, and basal area gain and loss rates were then determined. The tree species were classified into regeneration guilds and proportion tests were conducted to verify the associations between dynamics patterns and guilds. The community has shown a 2.3%.year-1 average mortality rate, a 2.2%.year-1 average recruitment rate, a 3.0%.year-1 average basal area gain rate and a 1.8%.year-1 average basal area loss rate. Species number has decreased from 55 to 48. Regeneration guilds have shown different dynamics patterns, where the pioneers have shown the greatest mortality (19.9%) and recruitment (15.6%) proportion and reduced representativeness in shade-tolerant climax species. Therefore, floristic impoverishment and higher representativeness reduction of late species have been observed. We have concluded that despite disturbances do not result in structural deterioration, they have the potential to slow the succession process and cause a floristic homogenization in the area under study.

Este estudo teve como objetivos avaliar a similaridade florística do componente arbóreo de 39 remanescentes de florestas superomontanas no domínio atlântico, Brasil, e analisar a influência de variáveis geográficas e climáticas sobre os padrões observados. Foi utilizada uma matriz binária de presença e ausência das espécies arbóreas compiladas dos 39 levantamentos florísticos e fitossociológicos. Para conhecer a relação da composição florística das áreas com variáveis ambientais e espaciais, foram extraídas as coordenadas geográficas e os dados climáticos de cada área. Com o objetivo de avaliar a similaridade florística dos remanescentes, foi utilizado um dendrograma e, para determinar a influência de variáveis ambientais e espaciais sobre os padrões florísticos, foi utilizada a análise multivariada NMDS. O dendrograma e a NMDS demonstraram a formação de agrupamentos, predominantemente entre remanescentes localizados em uma mesma unidade fitogeográfica. Observou-se a existência de um gradiente ambiental ligado às condições climáticas. Em áreas com maiores valores de sazonalidade térmica, amplitude térmica anual, precipitação, latitude e longitude, ocorreram florestas superomontanas com matriz ombrófila e, em áreas com maiores valores de temperatura média, amplitude térmica diária, isotermalidade, sazonalidade da precipitação e temperatura mínima no mês mais frio, ocorreram predominantemente florestas com matriz estacional.

Este estudo teve como objetivos avaliar a similaridade florística do componente arbóreo de 39 remanescentes de florestas superomontanas no domínio atlântico, Brasil, e analisar a influência de variáveis geográficas e climáticas sobre os padrões observados. Foi utilizada uma matriz binária de presença e ausência das espécies arbóreas compiladas dos 39 levantamentos florísticos e fitossociológicos. Para conhecer a relação da composição florística das áreas com variáveis ambientais e espaciais, foram extraídas as coordenadas geográficas e os dados climáticos de cada área. Com o objetivo de avaliar a similaridade florística dos remanescentes, foi utilizado um dendrograma e, para determinar a influência de variáveis ambientais e espaciais sobre os padrões florísticos, foi utilizada a análise multivariada NMDS. O dendrograma e a NMDS demonstraram a formação de agrupamentos, predominantemente entre remanescentes localizados em uma mesma unidade fitogeográfica. Observou-se a existência de um gradiente ambiental ligado às condições climáticas. Em áreas com maiores valores de sazonalidade térmica, amplitude térmica anual, precipitação, latitude e longitude, ocorreram florestas superomontanas com matriz ombrófila e, em áreas com maiores valores de temperatura média, amplitude térmica diária, isotermalidade, sazonalidade da precipitação e temperatura mínima no mês mais frio, ocorreram predominantemente florestas com matriz estacional.

Resumo O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a variação de atributos funcionais de espécies arbóreas ao longo de diferentes posições topográficas, em uma floresta subtropical na região do Alto Uruguai, em Santa Catarina. Para as 20 espécies mais abundantes na área amostrada, foram determinados densidade básica da madeira (WD), altura potencial (Hmax), área foliar (LA), área foliar específica (SLA), regime de renovação foliar, guildas de regeneração e de dispersão. A estrutura funcional foi avaliada por meio dos valores dos atributos funcionais por parcela, ponderados para a comunidade (CWM). A partir de um Modelo Digital do Terreno na resolução de 1 m, foram extraídas para cada parcela a elevação, a declividade e curvatura. Os dados foram analisados por meio de correlações lineares, Análise de Coordenadas Principais (PCoA), Análises de Componente Principais (PCA) e modelo linear simples. Os resultados demonstraram correlações significativas e negativas entre Hmax x LA e Hmax x SLA. O gradiente topográfico influenciou de forma significativa a estrutura funcional do componente arbóreo. Conclui-se que a ocupação de diferentes posições no gradiente topográfico e ao longo do perfil vertical da floresta se deve ao fato das espécies apresentarem diferentes estratégias ecológicas.

ABSTRACT This study aimed at inventorying the natural regeneration of tree species in an Alluvial Araucaria Forest in the "Planalto Sul Catarinense" region, SC, Brazil; evaluating the dissimilarity between its adult and regenerative components; and verifying the natural regeneration floristic sharing among its different fragments. The regenerative component has been sampled and identified within 48 plots and classified according to the following height classes: Class 1, plants with height varying from 15 cm up to 1 m; Class 2, plants with height varying from 1 and 3 m; and Class 3, plants with height higher than 3 m and DBH (diameter at breast height) smaller than 5 cm. The floristic composition of adult individuals in the area and of regenerative individuals from other fragments has been obtained from the database of the Laboratory of Dendrology of CAV/UDESC. The structure of the regeneration was evaluated by phytosociological descriptors. Dissimilarity between the adult and the regenerative components has been determined by Jaccard, Sorensen and Bray-Curtis distances. The regeneration floristic sharing analysis of different areas was conducted by a dendrogram. A total of 818 individuals belonging to 59 species have been sampled, being Allophylus edulis (A.St.-Hil. et al.) Hieron. ex Niederl. the species with the greatest relative importance. Elevated similarity between the regenerative and adult components have been observed (from 0.24 to 0.43), suggesting a low floristic-structural turnover between components. The area under study have shown a greater floristic connection (