STRUCTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABILITY FROM THE EDGE TO THE INTERIOR OF AN ATLANTIC FOREST REMNANT IN BRAZIL

Abstract

This study described the floristic-structural variations between edges consisting of one bordering the road and the other by the forest stands with the interior of the forest. The effects of the relationships between environmental aspects in the Atlantic Forest remnant in Brazil was also studied. The structure of the vegetation stratum differed between the edges with the interior and the relationship between the distribution of species with the environmental variables reflected the changes which occurred in the edges towards the interior. For vegetation sampling, 36 plots were established over an area of 0.9 ha and were distributed on both edges and inside the remnant. All individuals with diameter at breast height of ≥ 2.5 cm were measured and identified. The results revealed the differences in the structure and composition of species distribution pattern in the remnant were influenced by environmental variables such as humidity, resistance to penetration, cation exchange capacity and sodium and potassium contents. These results reinforced the need to create conservation strategies to minimise forest degradation and loss of biodiversity in these forest ecosystems.