SPATIAL-TEMPORAL VARIATION IN THE DYNAMICS OF THE TREE COMMUNITY IN FRAGMENTS OF ALLUVIAL FOREST IN MINAS GERAIS

Abstract

This study explored the dynamics pattern of the tree community in fragments of alluvial forest in the period 2005-2007 and in the period 2007-2009. The study comprises a fragment of riparian forest and five fragments of alluvial forest toward the interior of the floodplain of Sapucaí river, in São Sebastião da Bela Vista, MG, initially inventoried in 2005 and then evaluated in 2007 and again in 2009. Results revealed different patterns among fragments and among time intervals. In the fragments where in previous studies a stronger influence of floods and sodden soil had been observed, tree mortality was found to be greater in the 2007-2009 period than in the 2005-2007 period. Overall, mortality rates were found to be higher than recruitment rates, leading to loss of individuals and loss of basal area. Judging by the history of the area, it can be assumed that these losses are due to an interaction of two factors: i) water excess after major flooding and ii) occurrence of strong anthropization, represented by selective logging and cattle introduction in the interior of the fragments.