Spatial heterogeneity and its influence on Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (Caesalpiniaceae)

Population dynamics and structure of young individuals of the tree Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (Caesalpiniaceae) were studied in the gallery forest of the Panga Ecological Station, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil. Three distinct habitats were recognized in this forest, Dike, Middle and Edge zone. Four annual surveys of plant height, diameter at plant base and density were made between 1993 and 1996. The species showed an aggregated distribution in all three habitats. Population structure in all four surveys presented the typical reversed "J" form, characteristic of populations in local regeneration. For the whole population, mortality rates during the four years were constant and low (average of 4.8 % per year), while recruitment declined during the same period (average of 2.9 % per year). The C. langsdorffii seedling and sapling intraspecific density had a negative effect on growth, possibly due to the action of herbivores and pathogens.