This study was carried out in 200ha of the Experimental Forest Station (EFLEX) of Paraopeba-MG with the purpose of evaluating the trunk diameter distribution of local "cerrado" vegetation. Twenty sampling plots were randomly distributed through out the experimental area and the floristic composition was studied using the point-centered-quarter method, including individuals of at least 5cm diameter at the ground level. Twenty-five sampling points were located in each plot. Diameter distribution of 2,000 individuals was unbalanced, with 66,559b of these in the smallest diameter class (5-10cm). This could be due to population restablishment caused by deforestation that took place in 1952. This suggests that a 30 year rotation period might not be long enough for managing "cerrado" vegetation. The situation of populations with at least 50 individuals sampled or with highest importance value (IVI) was studied: Qualea parviflora Mart., Byrsonima crassa Nied. Qualea grandiflora Mart., Erythroxylum suberosum St. Hill., Eugenia dysenterica D.C., Kielmeyera grandiflora (Wawra) Saddi, Dimorphandra mollis Benth., Curatella americana L., Terminalia argentea Mart., Annona crassiflora Mart, and Machaerium opacum Vog. Hypothesis were postulated to explain problems that may affect the establishment of the species. Observations indicate that digging for earthworms has adversely affected the establishment of new individuals. It is recomended that the native seedlings being produced at EFLEX could be used to regenerate natural "cerrado"; however effective enforcement is needed to guarantee its success.
population dynamics; "cerrado"; distribution of diameters