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1. Canopy community structure in semideciduous montane forest dominated by Eremanthus erythropappus (DC.) MacLeish (Asteraceaea) Núbia R. Campos1 & Sérvio P. Ribeiro1,2. (nubiar22@gmail.com) 1 EvolutionaryEcologyofCannopyInsectsand Natural Succession, DEBio, ICEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil. 2 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Biomas Tropicais, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION INTRODUCTION • We found 936 individuals of 53 species in 24 families. • Floristic and community parameters (diversity and equitability) were similar to data previously found in other montane forests. We investigate a monodominant population of Eremanthus erythropappus (Asteraceae) or candeia (Fig. 1 A), established and naturally grown after 40 years of a tea plantation abandoning, and followed by a recent intense death of individuals (Fig. 1 B and C), in the Itacolomi State Park, part of the MAB site Reserve of Espinhaço, Southeastern Brazil (Fig. 2 A and B). We verified whether this population could return to a monodominant stand or if succession is in course towards a new species balance. Table 1. NumberofindividualsofE. erythropappus andotherspeciesliveanddeadandthe total ofindividuals in eachclass.. • The dead individuals werethe biggest in diameter . • The other species were the biggest in first class of diameter and some class in height. • Early secondary species were the more representative ecological group. • 22 recruits were found, and those were negatively correlated with shadow. MATERIALS AND METHODS B A Figure 1. A. Capitulum and inflorescence of E. erythropappus; B. Study area view from the top; C. Understory in the study area. Photos: Núbia R. Campos, Sérvio P. Ribeiro. C D A Figure 3. Diameterandheightdistribuition. A. Diameterdistribuitionofcommunity (F2;933= 50,6; p< 0,05); B. Heightdistribuitionofcommunity (F2, 933 = 0,61; p<0,05); C. Diameterdistribuitionofecologicalgroups (F2, 513= 5,42; p< 0,05); D. Heightdistribuitionofecologicalgroups (F2, 511= 0,22; p< 0,05). B D B A C Figure 1. A. Fitophysiognomic map of the State Park of Itacolomi (adapted from Fujaco 2007); B. Park boulderings map and study area; C. Detailed map of studied area and plots. • Species were grouped in similar ecological groups (pioneers, early secondary and tolerant species); • Parameters calculated: Shannon’s H’ diversity, equitability and phytosociological; • Diameter and height distribution of individuals were taken, and a ANOVA one way analysis was performed. Figure 4. Ordinal regression logistic ofnumberofseedlings in responseof rates ofshading(b = -10.55; X²wald = 8.05; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION The fragment is not dominated by E. erythropappus anymore and mortality could happen in combination of senescence and competition for light. This forest is in intermediate stage of succession, with diversification of species that are present in the canopy. The E. erythropappus have an important role in natural regeneration of degraded areas, contributing to the resilience of montane Atlantic rainforests. • The seedling recruitment and light • available at ground level • Seedlings were analyzed in response to shade rate by ordinal logistic • regression. ACKNOWLEDGMENT: