Dispersão efetiva e padrão espacial da regeneração natural de Cabralea canjerana (Vell.) Mart.

Abstract

This study examined young populations Cabralea canjerana in a Deciduous Forest fragment, seeking to know the spatial distribution of the species, as well as understand the process of seed dispersal and its resilience, in an area with a history of disturbance by cattle. Plots of 5 x 5 m were placed at three sampling areas, and the young individuals above 30 cm were recorded and had its total height measured with tape. In the areas I, II and III were allocated 77, 144 and 90 plots respectively, totaling 7.775 m² of analyzed area. Subjects were grouped into four size classes by height. The resilience of the species was analyzed using phytosociological parameters as density and absolute frequency. To determine the spatial pattern, Moritisa and Payandeh dispersal index were used for all areas as well as univariate Ripley's K function for the area II. Also in the area II was possible to calculate the distance between mother trees and regenerating individuals in order to know the maximum dispersal distance. A total of 731 individuals were found C. canjerana, being 285, 86 and 360 in the areas I, II and III , respectively. In all areas the highest number of individual were found in the smallest high class, and the frequency was decreasing as the high increased (negative exponential). This fact shows that the populations analyzed are capable of self regeneration, this is common in areas with a history of disturbance as is the case of the analyzed fragment. The high density values found, show that favorable factors has contributed that canjerana could be able to restore its place, conferring high resilience for species. Morisita and Payandeh index demonstrated that the species is dispersed in an aggregated manner in the study areas. The high density of individuals located in small patches contributed to this pattern. Ripley's K Function confirmed these results for the area II until a distance of 30 meters of analysis. The seeds are dispersed with greater effectiveness at an average distance of 30 meters from the mother tree located in the area II. These results demonstrate that canjerana has great potential for recovery of disturbed areas, with simple actions such as an isolation area, together with the presence of seed producing trees and seed dispersal agents, are capable of promoting the regeneration of species in the environment previously disturbed.