Short-term changes in an ombrophilous atlantic forest

Abstract

Characterizing and monitoring the Brazilian Atlantic Domain provide important direction for the conservation of its remnants. Short-term variations in forest composition and structure are usually lost in larger intervals between inventories and could better elucidate forest dynamics. This study aimed to analyze temporal changes in the structure, floristic composition and diversity of a tree community of an Ombrophilous Dense Forest remnant in Bocaina de Minas, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, in two short intervals. The study was conducted based on circumference at breast height (1.3 m) (CBH) data from three forest inventories (2009, 2011, and 2012) in twelve 400 m² permanent plots randomly distributed in the area. The results point out to a forest characterized by the increase in plant density and basal area, mainly due to the continuous local anthropogenic disturbances observed in the area, such as the presence of cattle and trails. These disturbances start early successional processes in various sectors of the forest. The altitudinal gradient leads to great environmental heterogeneity, resulting in a high species turnover, as well as high values of diversity which remained unchanged in the intervals considered.