Retiro-Branco mine, a property of Companhia Geral de Minas, subsidiary of ALCOA Alumínio S.A., underwent bauxite extraction from 1978 to 1981. In 1982/1983 as part of its mine rehabilitation strategy, herbaceous species were hydroseeded and tree seedlings of Mimosa scabrella Bentham planted in the mining site. In 1997, 19 sample plots (50m²) were established in this area for the initial characterization of the natural regeneration process. In 2000, a second inventory was performed in the same plots to characterize natural regeneration dynamics. The process of natural regeneration dynamics was characterized through quantitative and qualitative analyses of diameter distribution. These studies demonstrated that using continuous forest inventory with a sample plot grid is a viable tool for evaluating natural regeneration dynamics. The stratification process for natural regeneration was characterized. Pioneer and climax species are the main components of the inferior stratum and the secondary ones the main component of the superior stratum. Retiro-Branco forest was found to be undergoing intense structuring activity, characterizing initial stage of succession. Secondary species are the most dominant in classes with greatest height and diameter, being the most responsible for the superior stratum construction. Diameter distribution prediction using Markov Matrix proved to be a simple way for foreseeing both the succession process of natural regeneration and future ecological groupings of species, increasing the understanding of mechanisms that rule internal succession behavior.
Natural regeneration dynamics; diameter distribution; prediction
