A total of 29, 41 and 64 taxa, respectively, were found. In the area sampled 84 months after fire, relative dominance of Allagoptera arenaria (Gomes) Kuntze was 79%, followed by the nanophanerophytes Inga maritima Benth. and Manilkara subsericea (Mart.) Dubard. In the area sampled 12 months after fire, relative dominance of A. arenaria was 88%, followed by Inga maritima, Setaria setosa (Sw.) P. Beauv and Paspalum arenarium Schrad. In the area sampled three months after fire, relative dominance of A. arenaria was 82%; other important species were Clitoria sp., Inga maritima and Portulaca mucronata Link. Rhizome-geophytes dominated the life form spectra in the three areas due to A. arenaria dominance. The highest percentage of species in the areas sampled three and 12 months after fire belonged to the category scapose herbaceous chamaephytes. In the area sampled 84 months after fire, both nanophanerophytes and scapose herbaceous chamaephytes were dominant. Of the 29 species recorded in the area sampled three months after fire, only Portulaca mucronata and Sebastiania corniculata (Vahl) Müll. Arg. arose from seed; the others resprouted. Mean vegetative regrowth of A. arenaria seven days after fire was 8cm; after 180 days, this plant reproduced sexually.
secondary succession; sprouting; fire; Allagoptera arenaria; sandy coastal plain
