The objective of this study was to analyze the composition and the dynamics of the natural regeneration of the Gama gallery forest at the Fazenda Água Limpa, in the Federal District, over a period of 13 years (1986-1999) and to detect patterns associated between edge and interior of the forest. A total of 151 plots of 10×20 m were allocated continually along ten lines, used for sampling the arboreal vegetation. Each (10×20 m) plot, contained sub-plots of 5×5 m (saplings) and of 2×2 m (seedlings) for sampling natural regeneration. Ten additional plots were sampled at the edge of the forest for comparison of the floristic diversity. The predominant families were practically the same for seedlings and saplings: Myrtaceae, Melastomastaceae, Proteaceae and Lauraceae. Metrodorea pubescens A. St.-Hil. & Tul. and Amaioua guianensis Aubl. were the species with greater relative density in both regeneration stages. The species in the plots at the edge were practically the same found in the interior of the forest except for some species like Bauhinia rufa and Campomanesia eugenioides. Two different communities composed by different species according to their water requirementes, were identified for plots at the forest edge and also for plots at the interior. The forest has not been suffering disturbances and the great majority of the species was present in both size categories and in similar levels of density with few exceptions, indicating stability in the floristic composition and structure over time, in spite of a reduction in density.
Cerrado; gallery forest; population dynamics; natural regeneration
