The objective of this research was to analyze the spatial distribution of a Mixed Ombrophylus Forest fragment, as well as of three species pertaining to distinct successional groups belonging to the same, by the Ripley's K function. The data came from a census carried out in a fragment located in the Campus Botanical Garden, UFPR, Curitiba - PR, Brazil, where all trees with DBH above 10cm were georeferenced. One plot with 4 ha was used for the analysis of the spatial distribution of the forest and individually for the species of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) O. Kuntze, Casearia Sylvestris Sw. and Cedrela fissilis Vell. The spatial relationship between species, as well as the spatial relationship between diameter classes of the same were also analyzed. The forest showed a random spatial distribution, however, the three selected species showed an aggregate spatial distribution when analyzed individually. The Casearia Sylvestris presented an attraction relationship with Araucaria angustifolia and Cedrela fissilis, and these trees in turn, were related to repulsion between them. The spatial relationship between DBH classes of Araucaria angustifolia was attraction between individuals of smaller classes with larger individuals. This result reflects the form of seed dispersal of species, where regeneration occurs in the proximity to the parental trees. For the Casearia Sylvestris and Cedrela fissilis, aggregation occurred only between the smaller individuals.
ripley's k function; araucaria forest; successional groups
