Using tree population size structures to assess the impacts of cattle grazing and eucalypts plantations in subtropical South America

摘要: To evaluate the effects of distinct management matrix in which forest fragments are found upon plant populations thriving remnants south Brazil, we assessed conservation status four woody species (Campomanesia rhombea, Diospyros incontans, Myrciaria cuspidata and Sebastiania commersoniana) through analyses size structure. Analyzes were carried out at two scales. At a local scale, consider surrounded by pastures or eucalypts plantations, regional scale also larger tracts taken as reference areas (Rio Grande do Sul Forest Inventory databank). Population structures summarized using symmetry height distributions. Small individual classes prevailed whereas exposed to cattle ranching, same consistently lack small individuals. presented greater skewness (prevalence plants) than areas, while plantations intermediate skewness. These results reinforce notion that have higher value for ecosystems other commercial land uses, like ranching.