van den Berg, E. & Santos, F.A.M. 2002. Population dynamics of tree species of a riparian forest in southeastern Brazil. 45th Symposium of the International Association for Vegetation Science, p. 162.

Abstract: The dynamics of tree species were investigated in a riparian forest (7.55 ha, 21°21’S and 44°36’W, altitude 920 m) in the municipality of Itutinga, in the State of Minas Gerais, SE Brazil. Two surveys (4.42 yr interval) of tree community (diameter at the ground level larger or equal 5 cm) were conducted in 28 plots (10 x 30 m). Mortality and recruitment were analyzed for species with 10 or more individuals and for rarer species pooled in groups. Changes in the vertical/spatial structure and growth trajectories were analyzed for the more abundant species. Most species changed little in comparison to species of other forests that suffered disturbance in the past, but the dynamics of Protium spruceanum (one of the dominant species) were affected by a past disturbance that occurred in a restricted area. Most species changed little in terms of density, although there was a general tendency for an increasing of basal area. The species dynamics were interpreted in terms of their ecological requirements and restrictions. Growth was extremely variable among species and among trees of the same species. This was linked to the high variability of the environment (mainly in terms of light). Different patterns of growth trajectories were found.