ABSTRACT
In ecology, studies are mainly of observational type; there is the interest that variables in question show patterns that might be described by probability functions. The parameters of the probability distributions can be used as a signature of ecological processes occurring in the forests. In the ecology of tropical forests, few variables have the same patterns in different areas. Are these variables relevant to study areas in restoration process? In the field, we installed 90 plots in three areas (two in restoration process and one reference ecosystem). All individuals with CAP ≥ 10 cm were measured and identified. We evaluated the empirical distributions of the variables: density, diameter at breast height, species abundance, and origin; and we fitted theoretical distributions. In the eight-year-old area, density was better described by Poisson distribution; in the 12-year-old area, negative binomial distribution; and there was no difference between these distributions in the reference ecosystem. Species abundance was better described by log-series model in the 12-year-old area, Poisson log normal in the reference ecosystem, and there was no difference between these distributions in the eight-year-old area. Weibull distribution was a good model for both areas, but parameters presented different estimates. Model fit and selection have great potential for restoration ecology.
distribution; forest; native origin; parameters
