Diametric and hypsometric structure in the seasonally dry montane forest of Pico do Jabre, Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract

The main objective of this paper was the structural diametric and hipsometric characterization of woody strata in the Seasonally Dry Montane Forest of Pico do Jabre (06° 02’12’’ S e 34° 45’12’’ ’W), in Paraiba state, Brazil. For the characterization 36 sampling unities (10 x 50 m) systematically distributed over the area were used and all woody individuals with a dbh larger than 4.8 cm were measured. The vertical structure was determined using histograms with intervals classes of 3 m and diameter structure using classes with 6.36 cm largeness, determined for the entire community and the 10 main populations, ordered according to VI values. Vertical structure presented 96.34% of individuals fewer than 12 m. The class between 6 – 9 m showed 36.1% of individuals and 39.2% of basal area, suggesting the dossel, with 49 species. The community diametric curve was J-reverse shaped but irregular and tending to unbalance. The values of Liocourt “q” quotient suggested problems with regeneration in larger classes. The distribution of the 10 main populations showed unbalanced distribution, suggesting recruitment problems.