Temporary variations in the structure in phytophysionomies of cerrado and semidecidual state forest in Curvelo, Minas Gerais State

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the structural dynamics of tree species and to relate changes with edaphic conditions in the phytophysiognomies of cerrado stricto sensu (from 2010 to 2015), cerradão (from 2010 to 2015) and seasonal semideciduous forest (from 2011 to 2015) in Curvelo, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Forest inventories involved systematic sampling in 15 sample units (20 × 50m) in cerrado strict sensu (CSS), 10 sample units (20 × 50m) in cerradão (CD; CAS ≥ 15.7 cm) and 25 sample units (10 × 40m) in semideciduous seasonal forest (SSF; CAP ≥ 15.7 cm). Soil samples were collected in all sample units for the chemical and granulometric characterization. The number of individuals entering was lower than the total recruitment in all phytophysiognomies. Basal area in the final inventory of CSS was higher than initial basal area (23.675-25.845m2/ha), due to a significant increase in the surviving individuals. There were reductions in the basal area for DC (19.322-17.008 m2/ha) and SSF (28.183-28.148 m2/ha), due to high mortality rates. The mortality was higher for the first diametric classes in all three phytophysiognomies. Individual recruitment and diametric growth of survivors during post fire disturbance recovery was slow for CSS and CD. The number of individuals recovering during a 5-year interval could not be determined, however, without fire disturbance, the loss of individuals due to mortality and the recruitment of new individuals in FES were more balanced.