POPULATION STRUCTURE OF Ocotea puberula IN A SECONDARY AND A PRIMARY MIXED FOREST IN MISIONES

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the population structure of Ocotea puberula (Nees et Mart.) Nees (Lauraceae), in a secondary and a primary forests Northeast of Misiones in Argentina, at 26º 15¢ S and 54º 15¢ W. Two permanent sampling plots of 3 hectares each were installed in the secondary and primary forest, respectively. Each sampling plot was divided into 75 subplots of 20 x 20 m. In each subplot all individuals of Ocotea puberula equal or greater than 20 cm of height were measured. The structure of size and spatial distribution was surveyed. Ocotea puberula was a secondary species, with a high number of individuals of natural regeneration in the secondary forest, and only adult trees in the primary forest. The species presented a clustered pattern of spatial distribution in both forests.

Keywords

• <i>Ocotea puberula</i>
• especie secundaria
• estructura
• distribución espacial