Estrutura e composição do componente arbóreo na Reserva Ecológica do Trabiju, Pindamonhangaba, SP, Brasil

Abstract

This study examined composition, structure and distribution of tree component in the montane forest in Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo State, Brazil. All trees with a trunk diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm were sampled in ten 10×25 m plots stablished between 680 m and 805 m a.s.l. were recorded 517 trees. A total of 75 species, 69 genera on 40 families of vascular plants ocurred in the plots. The community structure was characterized by dominance of Euterpe edulis Mart. (51,26% of total plants), which caused a low Shannon diversity index (2,5910 nats). The forest strucutre was characterized by a high density (2,068 ind./ha) and basal area (44,36 m2/ha). This was atributed to the forest maturity, where secondary species ocurred with great trees and young individuals were absent. Species compositon varied continuously with altitude over a 125 m range, as shown by a cluster analysis. The comparison with others forest areas by use of presence × abscense data showed a higher similarity with Planalto Atlântico forests under wettest and lower mean anual temperature in the east and south of São Paulo State.