Natural Regeneration in Tropical Rainforest, Northeastern Brazil

Aims: To evaluate the shrub-tree species of natural regeneration in a remnant of Tropical Rain Forest, located in the northeastern region of Brazil.

Study Design: Systematic sampling.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in a remnant of Tropical Rainforest, categorized as a Forest of Miritiba Wildlife Refuge, located in the municipality of Abreu and Lima, distant approximately 42 km from the city of Recife, state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The area has approximately 273.40 ha. The data were collected in November 2016.

Methodology: The data were collected in 12 plots (25 m² each) allocated in 3 transects of 100 m in length, equidistant 50 m from each other, perpendicular to the edge of the weir located inside the fragment. The inclusion level established was a minimum height of 1.0 m and a base circumference at 30.0 cm from the ground (CAB 0.30 m) ≤ 15.0 cm. Three height classes (H) were considered, where Class I included individuals with 1.0 ≤ H ≤ 2.0 m; Class II with 2.0 <H <3.0 m and Class III with H> 3.0 m and CAP <15.0 cm.

Results: A total of 41 species belonging to 24 botanical families and 31 genus were recorded, representing a density of 8,867 ind.ha-1. The five richest families were Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Melastomataceae Anacardiaceae and Sapindaceae. The species with the highest estimated densities were Protium heptaphyllum, Erythroxylum mucronatum and Hirtella racemosa.

Conclusion: Among the species sampled in the regenerating component, which presented higher density and can be used for enrichment of areas in recovery process are Protium heptaphyllum, Erythroxylum mucronatum, Hirtella racemosa, Myrcia tomentosa and Eschweilera ovata.