Biotemas (Sep 2007)
Evaluation of “restinga” plants establishment facilitated by Eucalyptus sp. at Joaquina Beach, Santa Catarina Island, SC, Brazil
Abstract
Over a period of 16 years, we verified the establishment of shrub and tree species in the understorey of patches of the exotic Eucalyptus sp., which were no more than 5m in height. These patches were located in sections of interior dunes adjacent to the foredune of Joaquina beach. In this study, areas under the canopies of Eucalyptus sp. and areas without this species were compared to evaluate the potential of facilitation of these patches in relation to the establishment of the native shrub and tree species of this restinga. We found 266 plants, which belonged to 11 species. From this total, 208 plants were found in the understorey of Eucalyptus sp. and 58 plants were found in the control areas. There were 11 species under the canopies and 6 species in the control areas. Plant height and stem diameter were measured and they showed higher averages in the understorey. The most abundant species was Dodonaea viscosa (107 individuals) that showed similar occurrence in both areas. Other species, including Clusia criuva, Myrsine parvifolia, Myrsine sp., Eugenia catharinae, Guapira opposita and Vitex megapotamica, were more frequent in the understorey, and 5 species were found only under the canopy of Eucalyptus sp. Four species bloomed and fructified in the understorey. The greatest abundance and diversity of plants under the canopies reinforced the hypothesis that Eucalyptus sp. facilitates their establishment.
