The objective of this research was to study the behavior and dynamic of diameter distribution curves with respect to age, in native stands of bracatinga (Mimosa scabrella Benth) located in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, State of Parana, Brazil. The data came from a trial of densities, arranged in randomized blocks, with 5 blocks and 4 treatments, in a total of 20 plots (325 m²) remeasured at the approximate ages of 4, 5, 6 and 7.5 years. The initial density was reduced to 2000, 4000, 8000 trees per hectare when the stands were 1 year old. The control plots in every block, without any treatment , had in average,25000 trees per hectare at 1 year old. From these 5 blocks, 1 was located on site class I; 2 on site class II and 2 on site class III. Diameters and heights were also measured in 124 temporary sample plots scatered throughout several counties of the metropolitan region of Curitiba, representative of bracatinga stands under traditional cultivation and management with ages ranging from 3 to 18 years, and the 3 site classes. Among the tested distribuition functions by Bartoszeck (2000), the S B from Johnson was the one with the best performance, being used to estimate the number of trees per diameter class per hectare, and for constructing the diameter distribuition curves for the several possible combinations of age, site and initial density. The evolution of the distribution curves along the ages presented positive skewness and a flat distribution (Kurtosis) with the increasing age. These curves (estimated values) were compared by the chi-square test that indicated significant differences among diameter distribuition curves at different ages.
Mimosa scabrella; diametric structure; age effect
