Natural regeneration in area under domain of bamboo, in the south of Brazil

Abstract

Understand the native forest regeneration process in areas dominated by bamboo can be a support to the management of these species, as well as assist in proposals for recovery and restoration of these environments. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate concomitantly the structure, floristic composition, mechanisms of dispersion, shade tolerance and lifeforms of the natural regenerating species present in the area under dominance of exotic species Bambusa tuldoides Munro. The study was carried out in seasonal forest, in the municipality of Eldorado do Sul, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Thirty plots of 12x12 m (0.432 ha) were sampled and the plants divided into two classes. In Class I were measured and identified all the individuals with height greater or equal to 30 cm and less than 130 cm (30 ≤ H <130 cm) and in the Class II all the individuals with a circumference at breast height less than or equal to 5 cm (CBH≤5). Low density of individuals and species were observed, mainly in Class II. Ocotea puberula, Myrsine umbellate, Trichilia elegans and Cupania vernalis showed a greater distribution and relation with the bamboos area. About ecology, the majority of regenerating species can be classified as tolerant to shade (53%), zoocoric dispersion (87%) and arboreal lifeform (54%).  It is concluded that in the area of superabundance of Bambusa tuldoides, the regeneration class (Class I) presents low density of species, small individuals, tolerant to shade and with zoocoric dispersion. It information should be considered for future management and recovery actions at the site.