Spatial structure and seed deposition of Hymenaea courbaril L. in a forestal fragment in the southeast of the Goiás State - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v33i1.5881

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify and describe the pattern of spatial distribution of Hymenaea courbaril L. (Fabaceae) and its structuring factors in the Mata do Açude forest fragment in Jataí Municipality, Goiás state. We used two individual size classes: juveniles and adult, with stalk circumference smaller and bigger than 15 cm, respectively. The population spatial data were sampled by the ‘T-Square’ distance method and the structuring factors analyzed were the spatial deposition pattern of seeds and substrate conditions (soil and litter). The Hines statistical test (h_t) was used to detect the population spatial pattern. The tree population presented aggregated spatial structure, for both adults (h_t = 1.47, p < 0.005) and juveniles (h_t = 1.88, p < 0.005), with greater seed density at four meters from the plant. The soil conditions were not different among sampled points. On the other hand, the litter conditions presented significant differences for moisture and dried organic matter. These data suggested that the recruitment and spatial distribution of H. courbaril in the Mata do Açude is strongly structured by the seed deposition pattern and litter conditions.