Estrutura populacional de Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (uva-do-japão) no remanescente florestal da UTFPR, Câmpus Dois Vizinhos, Paraná

Abstract

There are few studies that explain the population parameters in all stages of development of tree species. If there was such knowledge, processes occurring in the community as a whole, or individual processes in certain species, age and size of the plant could be distinguished. The objective of this study was to characterize the population structure of the species Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (Blueberry japan) in remnant forest Federal Technological University of Paraná - UTFPR, Campus Dois Vizinhos, Paraná, which is justified by the species H. dulcis be exotic invasive. Adult individuals ( CAP > 15 cm ) were sampled in 20 plots of 20 x 20 m (400 m2), to study the dynamics of the species. In 80 subplots of 1 x 10 m (10 m2) were sampled the saplings (1 cm < DBH < 4.77 cm) and young plants (H > 0.5 m DBH < 1 cm) in 160 subplots of 1 x 1 m (1 m2). Three environmental factors were assessed: soil moisture, light and soil compaction, to verify the preference of the species for some kind of environment in the woods. H. dulcis showed high levels of abundance in the three size classes. In the adult stage the estimated population is 111 individuals per hectare. For saplings, 337 ind./ha and for young plants, 1,625 ind./ha. The spatial pattern of this species is characterized as a clustered at all stages by the index of variance pattern. The species showed a pattern of negative exponential diameter distribution for all size classes. The species showed no preference for either type of environment, but it was not tolerant areas with compacted soils. The estimated volume was 11,8 m3/ha, which can generate an economic advantage in performing the extraction of trees during their control. It is concluded that the species has a high of adaptation in the Southwestern region of Paraná and the tendency is to increase the population in the study area in the coming years.