-(Functional morphology and ecology of tree species seedlings of the Ecological Station of Panga, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais). The seedling functional morphology classification was used to study 122 tree species occurring at the Ecological Station of Panga, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. The tree species of three contiguous forest formations -gallery forest, semideciduous forest and "cerradão" -had their seedlings classified according to the position, texture and cotyledon exhibition. This study intended to verify if all the studied species would fit in a functional morphology classification system and if seedling morphology would have any relation with some ecological traits, such as successional group, type of dispersal, fruiting period, seed weight, habitat, sexual system, and root/stem biomass allocation. The species were subdivided into five categories: 63 species of the phanero-epigeal-foliaceous type (PEF), 20 phanero-epigeal-reserve type (PER), 10 phanero-hypogeal-reserve type (PHR), 28 crypto-hypogeal-reserve type (CHR) and only one species of the crypto-epigeal-reserve type (CER). The classification used was very effective, representing almost all the studied species. There were no significant relationships between functional morphology groups and type of dispersal, fruiting period, root/stem biomass or micro-habitat. On the other hand, significant relationships were found between successional groups, seed weight and sexual systems with seedling functional morphology categories. Pioneer species, mostly with small and light seeds, presented almost exclusively PEF seedlings, while shade tolerant climax species, which usually produce fewer and larger seeds with plenty of reserves, showed mostly CHR seedlings. This seedling type prevails also among the dioecious species. The results demonstrated that morphology has, at least in early stages, a determinant role in the processes of tree seedling establishment and development.Key words -cerrado, cotyledons, ecology, establishment, seedling RESUMO -(Ecologia morfofuncional de plântulas de espécies arbóreas da Estação Ecológica do Panga, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais). Realizou-se a classificação morfofuncional de plântulas de 122 espécies arbóreas da Estação Ecológica do Panga. Espécies de três formações florestais contíguas -mata de galeria, mata mesófila semidecídua e cerradão -tiveram suas plântulas classificadas segundo suas características cotiledonares de posição, textura e exposição. O estudo objetivou verificar se as espécies estudadas enquadravam-se no sistema de classificação utilizado e se existiria alguma relação entre os tipos morfofuncionais de plântulas com grupos sucessionais, síndrome de dispersão, peso das sementes, micro-habitat, sistemas sexuais, épocas de frutificação e relação entre a biomassa de raízes e partes aéreas. As espécies foram incluídas em cinco categorias, sendo 63 espécies do tipo fanero-epígeo-foliáceo (PEF), 20 fanero-epígeo-armazenador (PER), 10 fanero-hipógeo-armazenador (PHR), 28 cripto-hipógeo-armazenador (CHR) e apenas um...

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-(Tree population and community dynamics in a Brazilian tropical semideciduous forest). The dynamics of the tree community and 30 tree populations were examined in an area of tropical semideciduous forest located on the margin of the Rio Grande, SE Brazil, based on surveys done in 1990 and 1997 in three 0.18 ha plots. The main purpose was to assess whether variations in dynamics were related to topography and the effects of a catastrophic flood in 1992. Rates of mortality and recruitment of trees and gain and loss of basal area in two topographic sites, lower (flooded) and upper (non-flooded), were obtained. Projected trajectories of mean and accelerated growth in diameter were obtained for each species. In both topographic sites, mortality rates surpassed recruitment rates, gain rates of basal area surpassed loss rates, and size distributions changed, with declining proportions of smaller trees. These overall changes were possibly related to increased underground water supply after the 1992 flood as well as to a c. 250-year-old process of primary succession on abandoned gold mines. Possible effects of the 1992 flood showed up in the higher proportions of dead trees in the flooded sites and faster growth rates in the flood-free sites. Species of different regeneration guilds showed particular trends with respect to their demographic changes and diameter growth patterns. Nevertheless, patterns of population dynamics differed between topographic sites for only two species.

-(Horizontal and vertical tree community structure in a lowland Atlantic Rain Forest, Southeastern Brazil). The horizontal and vertical tree community structure in a lowland Atlantic Rain Forest was investigated through a phytosociological survey in two 0.99 ha plots in the Intervales State Park, São Paulo State. All trees ≥ 5 cm diameter at breast height were recorded. 3,078 individuals belonging to 172 species were identified and recorded. The Shannon diversity index was H' = 3.85 nat.ind.-1 . The Myrtaceae family showed the greatest floristic richness (38 species) and the highest density (745 individuals) in the stand. Euterpe edulis Mart. had the highest importance value (33.98%) accounting for 21.8% of all individuals recorded. The quantitative similarity index was higher than the qualitative index, showing little structural variation between plots. However, the large number of uncommon species resulted in pronounced floristic differences. A detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) generated three arbitrary vertical strata. Stratum A (≥ 26 m), where Sloanea guianensis (Aubl.) Benth. and Virola bicuhyba (Schott. ex A.DC.) Warb. were predominant showed the lowest density. Stratum B (8 m < h < 26 m) had the greatest richness and diversity, and stratum C (≤ 8 m) showed the highest density. Euterpe edulis, Guapira opposita (Vell.) Reitz, Garcinia gardneriana (Planch. & Triana) Zappi, and Eugenia mosenii (Kausel) Sobral were abundant in strata B and C. The occurrence of strata in tropical forests is discussed and we recommend the use of DCA for others studies of the vertical distribution of tropical forest tree communities.Key words -diversity, multivariate analysis, phytosociology, tree stratification, tropical forest RESUMO -(Estruturas horizontal e vertical do componente arbóreo em floresta atlântica baixo-montana no sudeste do Brasil).A estrutura horizontal e vertical do componente arbóreo foi investigada em um trecho de Floresta Atlântica baixo-montana através de um levantamento fitossociológico em dois blocos amostrais de 0,99 ha cada no Parque Estadual Intervales. Todos os indivíduos com DAP ≥ 5 cm foram registrados. Foram amostrados 3.078 indivíduos distribuídos em 172 espécies. O índice de diversidade de Shannon foi de H' = 3,85 nat.ind. Palavras-chave -análise multivariada, diversidade, estratificação, fitossociologia, floresta tropical 1.

A floristic survey was carried out in the Parque Estadual Intervales (PEI), Base Saibadela (24°14'08"S, 48°04'42"W), São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. The PEI reserve, along with other conservation unities, compose the largest preserved area of Atlantic rain forest remained today. Monthly collections of botanical material were conducted from 1993 to 1997 and 1999 to 2002, mainly along trails and plots inside the forest. A total of 436 plant species, 74 monocots and 362 eudicotiledons (here including the parafiletic groups) were sampled, including five new species. The richness of the flora at Base Saibadela was similar to that observed for other Atlantic forest sites. The trees represented 57.1% of the species, followed by epiphytes (12.6%), lianas (10.3%), herbs (9.4%) and shrubs (9.2%). The families Myrtaceae (55), Rubiaceae (32), Fabaceae (25), Melastomataceae (23), Araceae (20), Lauraceae Orchidaceae and Solanaceae (14 species each one) showed the highest number of species. The genus Eugenia with 25 species was richest genera surveyed. Seed dispersal by animals was expressively higher than other modes, which comprises 80.7% of the 419 species where seed dispersal mode was determined, confirming the pattern found for other tropical wet forests, and highlighting the importance of plant-animal interactions to the Atlantic forest.Key words: Biodiversity, tropical rainforest, Atlantic forest, floristic inventory, dispersion syndromes. ResumoFoi realizado um levantamento florístico no Parque Estadual Intervales, Base Saibadela (24°14'08"S, 48°04'42"W), que faz parte da maior área contínua de Floresta Atlântica brasileira remanescente, situada no sul do Estado de São Paulo. Durante os anos de 1993-1997 e 1999-2002 foram feitas coletas mensais de material botânico, principalmente ao longo de trilhas e parcelas no interior da floresta. Foi registrado um total de 436 espécies vegetais, 74 monocotiledôneas (incluindo os grupos parafiléticos), sendo descobertas cinco espécies novas. A riqueza florística na Base Saibadela foi compatível com a riqueza florística encontrada em outras localidades de Floresta Atlântica. O hábito arbóreo representou 57,1% das espécies, seguido de epífitas (12,6%), lianas (10,3%), herbáceas (9,4%) e arbustos (9,2%). As famílias Myrtaceae (55), Rubiaceae (32), Fabaceae (25), Melastomataceae (23), Araceae (20), Lauraceae, Orchidaceae e Solanaceae (14 espécies cada) apresentaram a maior riqueza florística. O gênero Eugenia apresentou 25 espécies, destacando-se dos demais gêneros encontrados. A dispersão por animais foi expressivamente maior do que os demais modos, representando 80,7% das 419 espécies cuja síndrome foi determinada, confirmando o padrão encontrado para outras florestas tropicais úmidas e ressaltando a importância da fauna na Floresta Atlântica. Palavras-chave: