Tree community of the urban forest remnant of the Lajinha Municipal Natural Park (Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil)

Abstract

We aim to analyze the structure, composition and diversity of tree species of the urban forest fragment of the Lajinha Municipal Natural Park (Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil). 25 plots of 20 x 20 m (1 ha) were randomly allocated, where all individuals with DBH ≥ 5 cm were measured. We sampled 1393 living individuals belonging to 155 species and 51 botanical families. The five species with the highest VI were: Nectandra nitidula (15,0), Eugenia hiemalis (12,6), Bathysa australis (9,94), Virola bicuhyba (8,71) and Alchornia triplinervia (8,02). The diversity index of Shannon was one of the highest for the region's forests (H '= 4.36 nats.ind^-1). The high Pielou equability index (J’ = 0.87) and the multivariate analyzes (cluster analysis and DCA) showed high floristic heterogeneity in the community. In a complementary way, the presence of rare species of the MG flora and nationally threatened species (Ocotea odorifera, Virola bicuhyba, Dicksonia sellowiana) evidences the area as an important conservation area of biodiversity in the urban landscape.

Keywords:
Conservation unit; Diversity; Phytossociology; Zona da Mata