Relação entre chuva de sementes e estrutura florestal em remanescentes de Floresta Atlântica no Sul do Brasil

Abstract

Relationship between seed rain and forest structure in Atlantic Forest remnants in southern Brazil. The relationship between seed rain and adult and regenerating tree structure was evaluated in two small fragments of the Atlantic rainforest in southern Brazil. Monthly seed rain collection and phytosociological characterization of the adult and regenerating tree stratum were performed. Native forest fragment 1 (FN1) showed a positive relationship between adult and regenerating stratum and seed rain. In the native forest fragment 2 (FN2), the adult stratum was not related with seed rain. Additionally, FN1 had higher seed rain richness and diversity, but lower abundance of individuals. The areas did not have a difference between richness and abundance, and also no differences were found between the strategies of dispersion. The results indicate that adult and regenerating tree stratum and seed rain composition are similar in small forest fragments.