ABSTRACT Background: The Amazon rainforest plays an essential role in sheltering global biodiversity and providing essential ecosystem services. However, the region has been threatened by increased rates of deforestation and degradation, which is often reported as the failure of the Brazilian conservation policy that could affect the image of agriculture Brazilian products abroad. In this sense, here we aimed to evaluate the foreign environmental perception of the region using data from social medias, to assess which are the main terms related to the region, how their importance varies over time and whether this perception tends to be more negative or positive. For this, we used data from posts made on Twitter® involving the term “Amazon rainforest” over 18 weeks using a data mining process. From these posts, we extracted the text, which went through steps of cleaning and organization, as well as crossing with additional databases (such as the sentiment dictionary). From the final data set, we first evaluated which are the main terms present in these posts and how their importance varied in the evaluated period. Next, we assess whether the terms cited are mainly negative or positive and how this sentiment varied over the monitoring period. Results: We found that the main terms are related to the environmental context such as “carbon”, “deforestation” and “fire” and that there is a relationship between their importance and the occurrence of fires in the region, which is positive with a temporal lag. In addition, we also found that the posts are, on average, composed of 68.47% of negative terms and that this sentiment predominates throughout the entire time series, being higher during the fire peaks in the region. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the environmental perception of the region presented in the posts in Twitter® is mainly negative, due to the degradation and fires observed over the last few years. We also discuss limitations of the approach and establish perspectives for future work.

Abstract We present the first records of insect visitors and pollinators of Bertholletia excelsa (Lecythidaceae) in a 25 years plantation outside the Amazon biome, flowering and producing Brazil nuts. We installed a platform to observe and photograph the insects. The collected insects were stored, mounted, and identified by specialists. Six species were observed, three of them classified as potential pollinators (Centris lutea, Eulaema nigrita, Eulaema cingulata). The species E. nigrita and E. cingulata were already reported as a pollinators of Brazil nut in Amazon. This is the first record of C. lutea as potential pollinators for B. excelsa.

ABSTRACT Fragmentation is one of the main causes of biodiversity loss in tropical forests through consequences on their different components. Beta diversity patterns across fragments have been studied across multiple spatial scales, but comparisons with intact landscapes and in a variety of vegetation types are scarce. In order to address this issue of anthropogenic landscape disturbance, we tested two hypotheses relating to fragmentation and beta diversity: 1. Floristic homogenization at patch-level scale and 2. Floristic differentiation at landscape-level scale. The study was conducted in the Espinhaço Range biosphere reserve, Brazil. Three landscapes encompassing a broad range of vegetation types were sampled in 115 plots. Two landscapes were fragmented due to mining activities (Sabará and Brumadinho) and one is protected (Parque Estadual Serra do Rola-Moça). Results showed high overall beta diversity both between landscapes (conserved and fragmented) and vegetation types (forest, Brazilian savanna “campos rupestres”, ecotone and ironstone “canga”) with high turnover and species losses, even in highly disturbed vegetation types. The conserved landscape was most diverse in terms of richness. Thus, fragmentation effects differed from the expected with a main role of differentiation processes, and we argue that high beta diversity is not always a good predictor of ecosystem health.

ABSTRACT Background: Monodominant Eremanthus erythropappus forests are dispersed in neotropical montane regions of southeastern and northeastern Brazil, forming ecotonal areas among other high altitude phytophysiognomies, with no information from their fauna communities and how these communities vary between phytophysiognomies adjacent. We examined the bird community of three preserved and three managed E. erythropappus forests, and compared them two other coexisting phytophysiognomies (cloud forests and montane fields), being three samples of each, in an ecotonal region between two biodiversity hotspot domains (Cerrado and Atlantic Forest), in southeastern Brazil (1300 to 1570m high). Results: The bird community of the natural E. erythropappus forests was shared with other vegetation, while the managed E. erythropappus forests presented the lowest species richness. However, even though managed E. erythropappus forests has almost no exclusive elements, their community caused a balanced variation (a set of very similar species, only changing the representativeness), suggesting that the abundance of the registered species varies along these phytophysiognomies. Conclusion: The species associated with the natural E. erythropappus forests represented 50% of the total species, in contrast to the remaining 50% associated with the areas of cloud forests and montane fields, and their sharing behaves as an ecotonal community, since its community coincides with elements which are also present in the avifauna of the other two sampled phytophysiognomies. The composition of the avifauna from managed E. erythropappus forests was more similar to the community registered in the montane fields.

Abstract Currently, protected areas around the world have a demand for volunteer work. At the same time, people in several countries that house protected areas seek out these spaces to serve as volunteers. This process occurs in a scenario strongly influenced by the neoliberal economy, which is marked by cuts in environmental management budgets and increased protected areas visitation. Based on this context, the objective was to analyze the role of volunteer work in protected areas in the context of neoliberal paradigm predominance. For this purpose, it was established a current overview of volunteer activity through a case study in Brazil by collecting information from volunteers and managers, heads or managers of protected areas receptive to volunteer work in interviews using structured questionnaires. It was found that Parques Nacionais are the categories with the greatest demand for volunteer work. It was also found the most part of volunteers is between 20 and 30 years old, and their education level is higher education in undergraduate courses related to biological sciences. It was identified significant differences between the perceptions of managers and volunteers about volunteer work objectives. However, both groups indicated that “Environmental education/environmental interaction and interpretation” and “Support for visitation” are the most frequently performed activities, and the main form of support and trade-off for volunteer work is the offering of certificates. Thus, volunteer work seeks to contribute to the protected areas objectives by supporting the management of these areas during public use activities. However, in the current scenario, this work is palliative in the face of the impacts of the dismantling of environmental policy that affects most countries that have Protected areas and have surrendered to neoliberal conservation.

RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a ocorrência de processo sucessional em uma floresta madura, utilizando para isto a distribuição das árvores em fases de desenvolvimento. O fragmento estudado consiste em uma floresta estacional semidecidual em estágio avançado de recuperação com cerca de 11 ha, localizado as margens do Rio Capivari no município de Lavras, estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. A coleta de dados ocorreu nos anos de 1998, 2003, 2009 e 2014, nos quais foram mensurados e identificados em nível de espécie todos os indivíduos arbóreos que atingiram o critério de inclusão preestabelecido (circunferência a 1,3 m do solo - CAP≥15,7 cm). A partir destes dados foram obtidos os valores de riqueza para cada uma das quatro fases estabelecidas com base em critérios de circunferência (Juvenis, Preestabelecidos, Estabelecidos e Emergentes), bem como informações sobre rotatividade de espécies, estrutura, composição florística e compartilhamento entre essas fases. Os resultados indicaram a inexistência de diferenças temporais quanto à estrutura e distribuição da riqueza em fases de desenvolvimento. Foram observadas movimentações temporais de espécies principalmente entre as fases menores. Com relação à similaridade entre fases, ocorreu a divisão em um grupo contendo as duas menores e outro composto pelas duas maiores, nos quais a composição florística e espécies mais representativas foram mais semelhantes. Ademais, observou-se uma substituição não direcional das espécies mais representativas de cada fase, provavelmente relacionado a não correspondência entre ciclos de vida das populações. Assim, a ocorrência de modificações temporais nos padrões de riqueza na floresta indica a existência de processos sucessionais dinâmicos em uma comunidade em estágio clímax.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to test the occurrence of the successional process in a mature forest using the distribution of the trees in phases of development. The study forest remnant, a 11-ha old-growth seasonal forest, is located in the margins of Rio Capivari in Lavras, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The data collection was carried out in 1998, 2003, 2009 and 2014, when we measured and identified to species level all trees that have reached the pre-established inclusion criteria (circumference at 1.3 above the ground level - CBH ≥15,7 cm). From these data, we obtained the species richness for each of the four development phases established on the basis of circumference criteria (Juvenile, Pre-established, Established and Emerging), as well as information on the species turnover, structure, floristic composition and the sharing between these phases The results indicated that there are no significant temporal differences in the structure and the distribution of species richness in development phases. Besides, we found a subtle movement of species mainly among the small phases. Concerning to the similarity among phases, we observed a clustering of the two smallest development phases and the clustering of the two largest ones, in which the floristic composition and most representative species were more similar. In addition, there was a non-directional turnover of the most representative species of each phase, probably related to a mismatch among the population life cycles. Thus, the occurrence of temporal changes in richness’ patterns can indicate the existence of dynamic succession processes in a climax stage community.

RESUMO A caatinga corresponde a um dos dois maiores núcleos das Florestas Tropicais Sazonalmente Secas (FTSS) e se encontra totalmente inserida no território brasileiro. Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar a estrutura de dois micro-habitats relacionando-a com as variáveis ambientais. Foram alocadas 24 parcelas, nas quais mensuramos o CAP e fizemos a identificação botânica de todos os indivíduos arbóreos com CAP ≥ 10 cm. Com a presença de lajedos de calcário na área, foi possível distinguir dois micro-habitats. A CCA e a análise de espécies indicadoras mostraram uma nítida distribuição das espécies de acordo com os micro-habitats. Concluímos que a presença dos lajedos de calcário proporcionou a formação dos micro-habitats, influenciando na distribuição e composição das espécies arbustiva-arbóreas, caracterizando a unidade fitoecológica aqui denominada como “furados”.

ABSTRACT Caatinga represents one of the two major centers of Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (SDTF) and is completely inserted in the Brazilian territory. The present work aimed to evaluate the structure of two micro-environments and relate them to environmental variables. Twenty 20 × 20 m plots were placed in which we measured the height and CBH and made the botanical identification of all trees with CBH ≥10 cm. The CCA and indicator species analysis presented a clear distribution of species according to the micro-environments. We concluded that the presence of limestone slabs provided the formation of microhabitats, thus influencing the distribution and composition of tree species, what characterized the phytoecological unit here referred as “furados”.

Resumo Os cerrados do sul de Minas Gerais ainda são pouco estudados. Objetivou-se com esse trabalho compreender o papel dos solos na estruturação de duas comunidades arbóreas de cerrado no município de Guapé. Para isso, foram instaladas 14 parcelas de 50 × 30 m em dois fragmentos de cerrado sendo 8 sobre Neossolo Litólico e 6 sobre Argissolo Vermelho. Nessas parcelas, todos os indivíduos arbóreos com circunferência a 30 cm do solo (C30) ≥ 15,7 cm (diâmetro de 5 cm) foram medidos e tiraram-se amostras de solo de cada parcela para análises químicas e texturais. Ao todo foram amostrados 1561 indivíduos e a riqueza florística total foi de 83 espécies pertencentes a 65 gêneros de 37 famílias. A área sobre Neossolo foi classificada como cerrado sensu stricto rupestre e Caryocar brasiliense foi a espécie mais importante em VI para a fisionomia. O cerrado sobre Argissolo foi categorizado como um cerrado sensu stricto típico e Dalbergia miscolobium foi a espécie de maior VI para essa fitofisionomia. A análise de correspondência canônica apresentou autovalor significativo para o primeiro eixo de 0,563 indicando gradiente curto com rápida substituição de espécies. Encontrou-se associação aos teores de P e areia no cerrado rupestre e de K e argila no cerrado típico. Por fim, a distribuição das espécies no gradiente foi diferente entre os substratos indicando preferência de espécies por sítios específicos. A conservação dos cerrados do sul de Minas Gerais deve, portanto, considerar não apenas a diversidade florística, mas suas múltiplas pedoformas e as formações ecotonais associadas.

Abstract The cerrados of southern Minas Gerais are still poorly studied. The objective of this work was to understand the role of soils in structuring two tree communities of cerrado in the municipality of Guapé. For that 14 plots of 50 × 30 m were installed in two cerrado fragments being 8 over Litholic Neosol and 6 over Red Argisol. In these plots, all tree individuals with circumference at 30 cm from the ground (C30) ≥ 15.7 cm (5 cm diameter) were measured and soil samples from each plot were taken for chemical and textural analysis. In total we sampled 1561 individuals and total species richness was 83 species belonging to 65 genera of 37 families. The area on Neossol was classified as rupestral cerrado sensu stricto and Caryocar brasiliense was the most important species in VI in the physiognomy. The cerrado on Argisol was categorized as typical cerrado sensu stricto and Dalbergia miscolobium was the largest species in VI to this vegetation type. The CCA presented a significant eigenvalue to the first axis of 0.563 indicating a short gradient with rapid replacement of species. There was an association at the contents of P and sand in the rupestral cerrado and K and clay in the typical cerrado. Finally, the distribution of species in the gradient was different between the substrates indicating species preference for specific sites. The conservation of the cerrados of southern Minas Gerais should therefore consider not just the floristic diversity but their multiple landforms and associated ecotones formations.

RESUMO O objetivo neste estudo foi avaliar a contribuição da comunidade científica do Brasil para a geração de conhecimento sobre suas áreas protegidas, bem como identificar a existência de grupos de pesquisa que têm por foco o uso público dessas áreas. Para isso, realizou-se uma busca sistemática na base de dados do Diretório de Grupos de Pesquisa do Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, vinculado ao Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação do Brasil. Encontraram-se 177 grupos de pesquisa em áreas protegidas, formados por 3872 integrantes, entre pesquisadores, estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação, além de técnicos; de diferentes áreas do conhecimento científico, distribuídos em todo o país, porém com concentração nas regiões sudeste e sul do Brasil, vinculadas principalmente às instituições federais de ensino, com sólida formação acadêmica e de considerável produção científica. No entanto, poucos são os grupos pesquisam o uso público das áreas protegidas, havendo um grande espaço para atuação de novos pesquisadores. A partir dos resultados, recomenda-se o incentivo governamental à formação de grupos de pesquisa nas regiões menos representadas, ao estudo do uso público das áreas protegidas e também a adoção de estratégias para a divulgação dos conhecimentos produzidos para além da academia.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of the Brazilian scientific community to knowledge generation concerning Brazilian protected areas and to identify research groups focused on the public use of such areas. A systematic search was performed in the database of the Research Groups Directory of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico), an organization under the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação). The search yielded 177 research groups on protected areas, formed by 3872 members, including researchers, undergraduate students, graduate students, and technicians from different areas of scientific knowledge distributed across the country. However, the research groups were concentrated in the southeast and south of Brazil. They were mainly linked to federal educational institutions, and they had a strong academic background and considerable scientific production. However, few groups study the public use of protected areas; thus, there is space for new research in this area. Based on the results, government incentives for the formation of research groups in the less represented regions to study the public use of protected areas and for the adoption of strategies to disseminate knowledge produced beyond academia are recommended.

RESUMO Neste estudo objetivou-se avaliar as possíveis correlações entre os indicadores de desenvolvimento socioeconômico dos municípios do estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, e a presença de unidades de conservação (UC), tanto de uso sustentável como de proteção integral. Os valores de Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDH) e Índice de Gini (IG) foram comparados entre os municípios com e sem UC pelo teste não paramétrico Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney. Testaram-se as correlações entre IDH e IG de cada município e suas áreas ocupadas por UC através do teste não paramétrico de correlação de Spearman. Identificaram-se 560 UC nos 853 municípios do estado. Os municípios com UC não apresentaram IDH significativamente diferentes dos demais, mas encontraram-se diferenças significativas nos valores de IG, superiores nos municípios com UC. Não se encontraram correlações significativas entre os IDH dos municípios e suas áreas ocupadas por UC. Mas encontraram-se correlações significativas entre IG e as áreas ocupadas por UC, associando as UC a maiores desigualdades socioeconômicas. Deve-se incorporar as populações aos esforços de conservação por meio de programas que as beneficiem, em especial o pagamento por serviços ambientais, entre outras estratégias conservacionistas.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible correlations between the socioeconomic development indicators of the municipalities of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and the presence of both sustainable use and full protection conservation areas (CAs). The Human Development Index (HDI) and Gini Index (GI) values were compared between municipalities with and without CAs using the non-parametric Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. The correlations between the HDI and GI of each municipality and its areas occupied by CAs were analyzed using the non-parametric Spearman correlation test. A total of 560 CAs were identified in the 853 municipalities of the state. The HDI values of municipalities with CAs were not significantly different from those of other areas, but significant differences were found in the GI values, which were higher in municipalities with CAs. No significant correlations were found between the HDI of municipalities and their areas occupied by CAs. However, significant correlations were found between the GI and areas occupied by CAs, suggesting that the CAs are associated with greater socioeconomic inequalities. Populations should be included in conservation efforts through programs that benefit these individuals, such as payment for environmental services and other conservation strategies.

RESUMO A eficácia da gestão em unidades de conservação centra-se em saber se as políticas administrativas nessas unidades de conservação são adequadas ao objetivo de sua criação. O presente estudo objetivou diagnosticar a efetividade da gestão do Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca, localizado nos municípios de Lima Duarte e Santa Rita do Ibitipoca, no sudeste do Estado de Minas Gerais. A efetividade da gestão do parque foi avaliada a partir de quatro módulos: o planejamento, os insumos, os processos e os resultados da gestão. A análise de cada módulo foi composta por diferentes parâmetros, obtendo-se como resultado um nível de 54% de efetividade da gestão, o que representa um nível mediamente satisfatório. Destacaram-se, como desafios, a necessidade de investimentos em recursos humanos e a inadequação de recursos; e, como oportunidades, o alcance de objetivos, a pesquisa, a fiscalização e o monitoramento.

ABSTRACT The issue of the conservation units management effectiveness depends on the knowledge of whether the management politics in theses conservation units are adequate to its creation goal, which is the conservation of biodiversity. This study aimed to analyze the management effectiveness at the Ibitipoca state park, encompassing the municipalities of Lima Duarte and Santa Rita do Ibitipoca, in Southeastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The park management effectiveness was assessed from four modules: planning, inputs, processes and management results, where each module consisted of assessment of different parameters. Results showed a level of 54% of management effectiveness, which represents an averagely satisfactory level. The need for investments in human resources, inadequacy in financial resources and decision-making were highlighted as challenges, and compliance with the objectives, research, supervision and monitoring were highlighted as opportunities.

RESUMO O conhecimento sobre a influência das variáveis ambientais é essencial para que se compreenda os padrões ecológicos atuantes sobre a vegetação. Este trabalho comparou a composição florística de duas comunidades florestais localizadas em diferentes altitudes. Associada a essa comparação, foi utilizada uma metodologia onde variáveis descritoras do ambiente foram escalonadas e interpretadas junto ao conjunto biótico amostrado. Através de uma matriz, com a pontuação dada em campo para variáveis físicas, bióticas, da estrutura da vegetação e de antropização, e de outra, contendo as espécies amostradas, análises multivariadas foram utilizadas. Constatou-se que as comunidades diferem floristicamente entre as diferentes altitudes e que a metodologia utilizada indicou variáveis importantes para a caracterização ecológica dos ambientes amostrados.

ABSTRACT The knowledge about the influence of habitat variables is essential to understand the underlying ecological patterns in vegetation. This study compared the floristic composition of two forest communities located in different altitudes. Associated with this comparison, we used a methodology where habitat descriptor variables were scaled and interpreted by the biotic set sampled. We constructed one matrix with scores given to physical, biotic, vegetation, and anthropogenic variables in the field and one matrix with the species sampled and performed multivariate analyses. We found that the floristic communities differ between the different altitudes and that the methodology used showed significant variables for the ecological characterization of the sampled habitat.

Neste estudo, objetivou-se caracterizar florística e estruturalmente a comunidade arbórea em uma área de encosta, Caatinga arbórea e em área ecotónal com cerrado no Parque Nacional Cavernas do Peruaçu, Norte de Minas Gerais, buscando testar as seguintes hipóteses: 1- Existem diferenciações florísticas entre os ambientes; 2- Todos os ambientes apresentam as mesmas características quanto à estrutura. Foram confeccionados diagrama de Venn e histogramas de frequência da distribuição de indivíduos por classes de diâmetro. Foi feita a análise de Espécies Indicadoras e foram calculados os parâmetros fitossociológicos clássicos. Foram encontradas 305 espécies, distribuídas em 173 gêneros e 48 famílias. Sendo que, na encosta, foram encontradas 166 espécies, na Caatinga arbórea foram encontradas 204 espécies e na área ecotonal foram encontradas 155 espécies. Muitas espécies foram exclusivas a cada ambiente, sendo 54 à encosta, 65 à Caatinga arbórea e 35 ao ecótono. Apenas 69 espécies foram comuns aos três ambientes. Foram amostrados 1391 indivíduos, resultando em uma estimativa de 1340,62, 1765 e 1280 indivíduos.ha-1 na encosta, Caatinga arbórea e ecótono, respectivamente. A área basal em m2.ha-1 foi 47,64, 30,05 e 23,29, respectivamente. Já, o índice de diversidade de Shannon foi 3,49, 3,74 e 3,61 nats.indivíduo-1, e a equabilidade de Pielou foi de 0,80, 0,84 e 0,85. Com relação à distribuição dos indivíduos em classes de diâmetro, a Caatinga arbórea e encosta apresentaram um mesmo padrão, com uma diminuição gradual do número de indivíduos. Já, o ambiente ecotonal apresentou uma distribuição tendendo a normal.

A floristic and structural survey of the tree community in different environments (slope, Arboreal Caatinga and ecotone to savannah) were carried out in Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park, North of Minas Gerais. We aimed to test the following hypotheses: 1 - There is floristic differentiation among the environments; 2 - All environments have the same structural characteristics. Venn Diagrams were used to compare both the shared and unshared species among the environments. Tree distribution by diameter classes for each environment was made by means of frequency histograms. An Indicator Species Analysis and usual phytossociological parameters were used. A total of 305 species were found, distributed in 173 genera and 48 families, of which 166 were found in the slope, 204 in the Arboreal Caatinga and 155 in the ecotone. 54 species were exclusive to the slope, 65 to the Arboreal Caatinga and 35 to the ecotone and only 69 species were common to all three environments. 1391 individuals were sampled, yielding an estimated density of 1340.62, 1765 and 1280 individuals.ha-1 respectively for the slope, Arboreal Caatinga and ecotone. The basal area reached 47.64, 30.05 and 23.29 m2.ha-1, respectively for the slope, Arboreal Caatinga and ecotone. The Shannon diversity index and Pielou's evenness were, respectively, 3.49 and 0.80 for the slope, 3.74 and 0.84 for the Arboreal Caatinga and 3.61 and 0.85 for the ecotone. The Arboreal Caatinga and the slope presented a gradual decrease in frequency towards the higher diameter classes whereas the ecotone tended to follow a normal distribution.

Neste trabalho, objetivou-se descrever a dinâmica estrutural da comunidade arbórea de um fragmento de floresta semideciduifólia (Mata do Capivari), situado em Lavras, Minas Gerais. O estudo teve como base três inventários realizados no período de onze anos (1997, 2003 e 2008) em 28 parcelas permanentes de 20×20 m onde foi registrada a espécie e a medida de diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP) das árvores com DAP ≥ 5 cm, incluindo sobreviventes, mortas ou recrutas. A hipótese foi de que os padrões de dinâmica do primeiro período (1997 a 2003) persistiram no segundo (2003 a 2008). Os descritores da dinâmica foram taxas de mortalidade e recrutamento de árvores individuais (dinâmica demográfica), taxas de ganho e perda de área basal (dinâmica da biomassa) e as respectivas taxas de mudança líquida. Entre 2003 e 2008, a taxa de mortalidade, de 3,30%.ano-1, superou a de recrutamento, de 2,78%.ano-1. A taxa de ganho em área basal foi de 2,72%.ano-1, pouco inferior à de perda, de 2,98%.ano-1. De maneira geral, os padrões repetiram os do primeiro período (1998 a 2003), com persistência de um lento declínio demográfico, particularmente concentrado nas proximidades do rio, e uma área basal próxima da estabilidade, ao contrário da alta encosta, onde ocorreu uma significativa expansão. Comparativamente, a Mata do Capivari é uma das mais estáveis entre as estudadas na região, a despeito da persistente interferência humana

The present contribution aimed at describing the structural dynamics of the tree community of a forest fragment of seasonal semi-deciduous forest (Mata do Capivari) situated in Lavras, Minas Gerais State, South-eastern Brazil. The study was based on three surveys carried out during an 11-year period (1997, 2003 and 2008) in 28 20×20 m permanent plots where records were made of the species and diameter at breast height (dbh) of trees with dbh ≥ 5 cm, including survival, mortality and recruits. The hypothesis was that the patterns of dynamics found in the first interval (1997-2003) persisted in the second (2003-2008). The descriptors of dynamics were the rates of mortality and recruitment of individual trees (dynamics of demography), rates of gain and loss of tree basal area (dynamics of biomass), and respective net change rates. Between 2003 and 2008, the mortality rate, of 3.30%.yr-1, surpassed the recruitment rate, of 2.78%.yr-1. The gain rate in basal area was 2.72%.yr-1, only a little inferior to the loss rate, of 2.98%.yr-1. In general, these patterns repeated those of the first interval (1998-2003), with a persisting slow demographic decline, particularly concentrated near the river, and a nearly stable basal area. Comparatively speaking, the Mata do Capivari is one of the most stable among those studied in the region despite persistent human interference.

We analyzed the community structure of an upper montane cloud forest (elevation, 1900 m) in the Serra da Mantiqueira Mountain Range, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Our objective was to determine the comparative tree species richness and floristic diversity within this forest, which is at one of the higher elevations in the range, in relation to surrounding forests that are at lower elevations, adjusting for elevational gradients. Within 15 permanent plots (40 × 10 m each), we tagged all tree individuals with a diameter at breast height > 5 cm, registering their height and diameter. To compare the study area with neighboring cloud forests, we used the Sørensen similarity coefficient and phytosociological parameters. We sampled 1250 individuals distributed among 89 species, 55 genera, and 34 families. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed no gradients related to the vegetation or soil. We found that tree species richness and diversity were high in the study area. There was structural and floristic heterogeneity among the communities evaluated, underscoring the importance of conservation of these high-elevation ecosystems, which are so unique and irreplaceable.