Structural dynamics of the woody community in a semideciduous forest in the Cerrado-Amazon Forest transition of Mato Grosso, Brazil

(Structural dynamics of the woody community in a semideciduous forest in the Cerrado-Amazon Forest transition of Mato Grosso, Brazil). Understanding ecological processes, especially the structural and floristic changes in natural ecosystems, is essential before conserving and/or restoring these areas. The aim of this study was to assess the changes that occurred in the woody plant community from 2003 to 2008. Sixty permanent plots of 10 x 10 m were established, in which all individuals with diameter at breast height >= 5 cm were sampled. A total of 1,140 ind. ha(-1) were recorded in 2003 (basal area 24.35 m(2) ha(-1)) and 1,071 ind. ha(-1) in 2008 (basal area of 22.04 m(2) ha(-1)). The recruitment (2.76% year(-1)) did not compensate mortality (3.95% year(-1)) and the basal area gain (0.54% year(-1)) did not exceed the loss (3.77% year(-1)). Because of this unbalance, the half-life (17.3 years) was lower than the doubling time (29.9 years), resulting in low stability (12.6 yrs) and replacement (23.6 yrs) in relation to other seasonal forests. The parameters of community and species dynamics suggest that the forest is undergoing changes characterized mainly by the density and biomass reduction of trees, which may be related loan increase in lianas, an early rebuilding phase of the forest silvigenetic cycle or even the severe drought that occurred in the region in 2005.