Abstract

CASTRO, Renato et al. Competition indices in individual tree level in a Semideciduous Montana forest. Silva Lus. [online]. 2014, vol.22, n.1, pp.43-66. ISSN 0870-6352.

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between different levels of competition with the diameter growth (Δdap), height growth (ΔHt) and probability of mortality (Pm) of individual trees in a Semideciduous forest fragment in Montana middle stage of ecological succession. We evaluated three classes of indicators, five independent indices (IID), two dependent (IDD) and four semi-independent indices of distance (ISD). To indexes independent and semi-independent of the distance were assessed two neighborhood rays: six and three meters. The data used were from ten plots monitored for 14 years, on five occasions, located in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The competition indexes were evaluated from graphical analysis and linear correlation coefficients between each index and the variables Δdap, ΔHt and Pm. Correlations were calculated for all species together and for 36 species alone, which had density greater than or equal to 10 individuals. In general, all categories of competition indexes (IID, IDD and ISD) had indices correlated with the growth and mortality of individual trees, with higher rates of indices semi-independent of the distance. In relation to the radius of competition for the contents semi-dependent and independent superiority was observed for the radius of 6 m, for all variables. Thus, we noticed the potential for all categories of competition indexes in studies of growth and production level of individual tree in Semideciduous Montana forest in average level of ecological succession. The results will inform the inclusion of competition indexes in models of growth and production in individual tree basis in uneven-aged forests, especially Semideciduous Montana forest in average level of ecological succession.

Keywords : Semideciduous Montana forest; distance-dependent indices; indices independent of distance; indices semi-independent of distance; linear correlation.

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