The objective of this work was to analyze the floristic composition dynamics of a secondary dense ombrophylous forest, after vine cutting. The silvicultural treatment was applied to obtain a rapid return to its primary conditions, or, at least, to shorten the period of time between two successive cutting cycles. Data from an experiment established in 1989 were collected every two years from the Companhia Vale do Rio Doce S.A. Natural Reserve, in Linhares and Jaguaré, ES, Brazil. Systematic sampling was performed (35 permanent rectangular plots), in which trees with dbh <FONT FACE=Symbol>³</FONT> 5.0 cm were considered adult individuals. The treatment effects on the floristic composition and species diversity were evaluated at each monitoring period. The treatment had little influence on the floristic composition dynamics of the trees. The diversity had increased 0.55% by the Shannon-Weaver index,but the other indexes decreased. This indicates that a high rate of ingrowths occurred in the area, or an increase in the number of individuals is occurring at greater rates than the increase in the number of species. However, the forest structure (arboreal stratum) was greatly influenced, since the substantial increase in both number of trees and basal area suggest that the rates of recruitment and growth overcome those of mortality. Similarly, the ecophysiological groups late secondary forests and climaxes received the greatest benefits, indicating that this treatment favors the secondary succession dynamics.
Management; silvicultural treatment; floristic composition; secondary forest
