Plant community dynamics in an urban forest fragment of the São Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil

ABSTRACT We present a synthesis (2006-2012) of plant community dynamics in an area (1 ha) of the largest remnant of Atlantic Rain Forest surrounded by São Paulo city. Plants with ≥ 2.5 cm dbh, including the climbers, were sampled in 10 transects (2 × 50 m), and the smaller (> 1 m height, < 2.5 cm dbh) in 10 subtransects (1 × 50 m). We sampled 901 individuals, 125 species (38 families), 83 classified as late-successional species, 12 threatened with extinction and 56 absent in the area management plan, some Endangered (EN) species. The climbers were the most dynamics, they had the largest decrease in basal area; and the larger (> 5.0 cm dbh) and shorter (< 2.5 cm dbh) trees had the highest mortality rates of the shrub-tree synusia. Late species regeneration was predominant. The studied forest showed progression towards more mature successional stages in the monitoring period.