Avaliação de componente arbustivo-arbóreo de áreas de caatinga em diferentes estágios sucessionais.

Abstract

The anthropic action related mainly to the inadequate management of the farming activities has contributed to the devastation of the semiarid natural ecosystems, drastically reducing the phytodiversity of the forest remnants of Caatinga. The natural regeneration dynamics of these environments are differently complex due to the edaphoclimatic characteristics, intensity and severity of the disturbances and the degree of resilience of the species. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the natural regeneration dynamics of the shrub-tree stratum of Caatinga of Sertão Paraibano. Natural regeneration was evaluated in five areas with a different anthropization history: 1, 5, 10, 15 and 30 years. The anthropized areas 1 and 5 years ago are located in the municipality of São Bentinho-PB and the anthropized areas for 10, 15 and 30 years, located in the municipality of São Domingos-PB. A plot of 100 m2 was selected in each area and divided into four subplots of 25 m2. All individuals from each subplot were inventoried and identified in the field. Structure analysis was determined by: plant height, number of individuals, absolute density, relative density and relative frequency. All areas studied are in succession process. Species diversity gradually increased as areas had longer regeneration times. The species Mimosa tenuiflora dominated the anthropized areas 1, 5, 10 and 15 years ago and late secondary species were present only in the areas after 15 years of regeneration.