Impacts of land use and climate change in tropical forests on the global carbon budget are of principal interest in the recent research, as these forests amount to about 48 % of the world’s forested area. Interest has been focused on lowland tropical forests mainly, but tropical montane forests occupy about 20 % of all tropical forests. Soils of tropical montane forests are frequently waterlogged and characterised by high soil organic carbon stocks. Furthermore, along altitudinal gradients, changes in stand structure and net primary production can be observed that have not been fully explained yet. As causes reduced microbial activity and nitrogen turnover in soils of tropical montane forests have been suggested. Against the background of climate change, carbon turnover mechanisms in soils of these forests are of special interest. The present study therefore aimed at determining and quantifying relevant carbon and nitrogen pools as well as nitrogen mineralisation potentials. Furthermore, size, activity, and structure of microbial biomass were characterised. The collected data was supposed to provide basic knowledge on carbon and nitrogen cycling in tropical montane forest soils. Thus, evaluation of the susceptibility of their carbon stocks for climate change as well as nitrogen and carbon limitation of microbial organic matter decomposition was possible. Field work of this study was conducted during 2003–2005 at an altitudinal transect that in- cluded five study sites between 1 050 and 3 060 m amsl. Total soil respiration was recorded biweekly over two years, the contribution of roots to total soil CO2 efflux over one year. Soils of the study sites were sampled twice and biochemical and microbial parameters were determined.

No description available.

Western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) is an important component of the montane forest in southeastern British Columbia. It grows in cool-temperate (IDF and ICH zones) and boreal climates (MS zone and, occasionally, ESSF zone). Larch is considered a very shade-intolerant species which can tolerate low light (partial shading) only during the seedling stage (the first 5 growing seasons). Typically, it regenerates after fire in the open on seedbeds exposed by burning. However, to what extent it tolerates low light and how various light environments affect its survival and growth is not known. The objective of our study was to determine the variation in survival and growth of western larch seedlings in relation to light availability and site conditions.

A silviculturist needs to know how productivity of all tree species under management varies with the ecological determinants of site quality, i.e., the environmental factors that directly affect the growth of plants - light, heat, soil moisture, soil nutrients, and soil aeration. A good understanding of this variation is necessary for making biologically viable, speciesand site specific silvicultural decisions. Productivity of a given species is usually measured by site index (top tree height at 50 years at breast height age). Quantified relationships between site index of a given species and ecological measures of site quality provide predictive models for estimating site index for all sites on which the species may grow. Western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) is an important tree species in southern central and eastern British Columbia. It grows mainly in the IDF, ICH, and MS zones on moderately dry through very moist sites and on poor through very rich sites. In view of this relatively wide ecological amplitude, a large variation in productivity could be expected. In the study summarized here, relationships between larch site index and selected ecological measures of site quality were examined, and a site index model using these measures as predictors was developed.

The New Zealand alpine zone has many fleshy-fruited plant species, but now has a relatively depauperate animal fauna. The key question is, therefore, are native alpine plants still being dispersed, if so where to and by what? I first measured fruit removal rates among nine common species using animal-exclusion cages to compare natural fruit removal by all animals, and by lizards only. Over two years, mean percent of fruit removed by early winter ranged from 25–60% among species. Speed of fruit removal also varied depending on species. Secondly, I quantified which animals disperse (or predate) seeds of those fruits, into which habitats they deposit the seeds, and the relative importance of each animal species for dispersal, in two ways. A 2-year study using fixed-area transects to monitor faecal deposition showed that introduced mammals (especially possums, rabbits, hares, sheep, pigs and hedgehogs) were abundant and widespread through alpine habitat. Of the 25,537 faeces collected, a sub-sample of 2,338 was dissected. Most mammals dispersed most (> 90%) seeds intact. However, possums (numerically the important disperser) moved most seeds into mountain beech (Nothofagus solandri) forest, while rabbits, hares, and sheep dispersed seeds mainly into open grassland dominated by thick swards of exotic grasses (e.g. Agrostis capillaris and Anthoxanthum odoratum); all are less suitable microsites. Kea (Nestor notabilis), the largest and most mobile of only three remaining native alpine bird species, are potentially useful as a long-distance seed disperser, even though parrots are typically seed predators. I found that kea are numerically more important than all other birds combined, damage very few seeds, and are probably responsible for most dispersal of seeds between mountain ranges. Finally, I investigated the effects of seed deposition microsite (shady/high-light), pulp-removal (whole/cleaned), competition (soil dug/not-dug) and predation (caged/ not) on germination, growth and survival of eight subalpine plant species. There were strong positive effects of shady microsites for seed germination and seedling survival to 3.5 years for six of the eight species. Effects of other treatments were less important and varied among species and stages. Hence, both native birds and introduced mammals are dispersing alpine seeds, but the mammals often deposit seeds in habitats unsuitable for establishment. Any evaluation of the dispersal effectiveness of frugivores must consider their contribution towards the long-term success for plant recruitment through dispersal quantity and quality.

Los suelos de los bosques tropicales desempeñan un papel importante en el clima de la Tierra mediante el intercambio con la atmosfera de grandes cantidades de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI). Sin embargo, esta importante función podría ser alterada por las actividades humanas causando el aumento en la deposición de nutrientes en los ecosistemas terrestres, especialmente en las regiones tropicales. Las causas de cómo el incremento de las cantidades de nutrientes está afectando los flujos de suelo de los GEI de los bosques tropicales es relativamente poco conocida, por ello los monitoreos de nutrientes in situ de los bosques montanos tropicales (BHT) son aún menos comprendidos. Ya que los BHT representan alrededor del 11-21% de la superficie forestal tropical, es de vital importancia predecir y cuantificar los cambios en los flujos de GEI del suelo en respuesta a la adición de nutrientes ya que podrían favorecer la retroalimentación a otros cambios globales. Esta tesis tiene como objetivo cuantificar el impacto de adición moderada de nitrógeno (N) y/o fósforo (P) en los flujos de tres GEI en suelo: dióxido de carbono (CO2), óxido nitroso (N2O) y el metano (CH4), a lo largo de un gradiente altitudinal (1000 m, 2000 m, 3000 m) de los BHT primarios en el sur de Ecuador. Desde hace más de cinco años, se ha medido los flujos de GEI del suelo en un experimento de manipulación de nutrientes (‘NUMEX’, por sus siglas en inglés), con replicas para control, y la adición de N (50 kg N ha-1 año-1), P (10 kg P ha-1 año-1) y N+P. Las mediciones in situ se realizaron mensualmente utilizando cámaras ventiladas estáticas, seguido por un análisis de cromatografía de gases para conseguir una perspectiva más profunda sobre los procesos implicados en el intercambio suelo-atmósfera de GEI. Se realizaron nuevas investigaciones incluyendo el monitoreo de factores básicos de control (i.e. temperatura del suelo, humedad y las concentraciones del N mineral), los diferentes componentes de los flujos de CO2 del suelo, tasas de reciclaje netos de N y fuentes de los flujos de N2O del suelo. Con este propósito, se utilizó la extracción de hojarasca y técnicas de excavación de zanjas (trenching technique), incubación de las muestras in situ (buried bag method) y el etiquetaje de 15N de corto plazo. Los flujos de GEI del suelo en los bosques que estudiados se mostraron en el rango de aceptado de los flujos de gases de otras BHT en elevaciones comparables, excepto para el N2O. Los flujos de N2O, que se derivan principalmente de la des nitrificación, fueron bajos para un TMF lo que se puede atribuir a los ciclos conservativos de N del suelo en nuestros sitios de estudios. Los suelos fueron fuentes de CO2 y N2O (la intensidad del recurso disminuye al aumentar la altitud) y en todas las elevaciones el CH4 es bajo. Encontramos efectos de los nutrientes en todos los flujos de GEI medidos en cada elevación. Las respuestas de los flujos de CO2 del suelo cambian con la duración y el tipo de nutrientes adicionado. En 1000 m, la adición del N no afecta los flujos de CO2 del suelo, mientras que las adiciones de P y N+P disminuyeron los flujos en el primer y cuarto a quinto año. En 2000 m., la adición de N y N+P incrementa los flujos de CO2 en el primer año; a partir de entonces, la adición del N disminuye los flujos mientras que la adición de N + P no mostro ningún efecto la adición de P carece de efectos. En 3000 m, la adición de N además incrementó los flujos de CO2 constantemente; la adición de P y N+P aumentaron los flujos sólo en el primer año a partir de entonces no existió ningún efecto. Los efectos diferenciales de los nutrientes estuvieron relacionados a un estatus del N y P y respuestas variadas de los componentes de la respiración del suelo. Las respuestas de los flujos de N2O y CH4 a la adición de nutrientes mostraron gran variabilidad entre años. Los flujos de N2O no se vieron afectados por la adición de tres a cinco años de N a pesar de las diferencias significativas observadas durante los dos primeros años del mismo experimento. Atribuimos la ausencia de las respuestas en años mas tardíos debido a los contenidos bajos de humedad del suelo en nuestro periodo de monitoreo 2010-2012. En todo el gradiente altitudinal, la adición de P disminuyó los flujos de N2O y las concentraciones de N mineral, presumiblemente debido a que alivió de la limitación del P en la producción primaria neta, lo que aumentó la captación de N a través de las plantas. La adición de N+P además mostró tendencias similares las respuestas a la adición de N solamente, pero con efectos menos fuertes debido a los efectos contrapuestos de la adición de P. Durante los dos primeros años de la adición de nutrientes, los flujos de CH4 no se vieron afectados en ninguna elevación, lo cual atribuimos a la combinación de cantidades moderadas de nutrientes añadidos, la fuerte inmovilización de nutrientes, y la separación de la más alta capacidad de absorción de CH4 en el subsuelo de la superficie del suelo donde se añaden fertilizantes. En el tercer a quinto año, la adición de nutrientes del suelo aumentaron la captación de CH4, aunque los efectos de N y P variaron a lo largo del gradiente altitudinal: en 1000 m, la adición de N y N+P aumentó la captación anual de CH4 a 20-60%; en 2000 m P y N+P incrementaron la captación a 21-50%; y en 3000 m la adición de P y N+P incrementó la captación de CH4 a 34-40%. Estos efectos diferenciales de la adición de nutrientes pueden estar relacionados con el estatus inicial de del suelo y respuesta diferenciales de otros componentes del ecosistema a la adición de nutrientes en cada elevación. Demostramos que los flujos de GEI del suelo y consecuentemente la red potencial de calentamiento global del suelo pueden cambiar considerablemente a lo largo de un gradiente de elevación, siguiendo una tendencia general de disminución con el aumento de la elevación. Los resultados indican además que la elevada deposición de N y P puede afectar los flujos de GEI del suelo en los BHT Andinos, pero las respuestas a los flujos de GEI a la adición de nutrientes depende del estatus inicial de los nutrientes del suelo, la duración de la adición de nutrientes y la variabilidad inter-anual de las condiciones climáticas. Puesto que los efectos de la adición de nutrientes fueron no lineares con el tiempo de exposición y a la par existen complejas interacciones con otros componentes del ecosistema, aún quedan muchas incertidumbres en la predicción exacta de los efectos de la deposición de nutrientes en los flujos de GEI. Sin embargo, ofrecemos los primeros datos sobre los efectos de nutrientes a medio plazo de N, P y N+P en los flujos de los tres principales gases de efecto invernadero del suelo a lo largo de un gradiente altitudinal de los BHT Andina. Nuestros resultados sugieren que la red potencial de calentamiento global de los suelos en todo el gradiente altitudinal podría aumentar ligeramente con la entrada contribución de N, mientras que podría disminuir con el aumento de la contribución de P y N+P.

The thesis concerns the community structure of saproxylic insects with a heavy focus on beetles. It presents a review on change of insect assemblages along small-to-large scale gradients and the importance of saproxylic organisms in forest ecosystems. The fine-scale vertical stratification of saproxylic beetles assemblages and their differences between forests habitats of different latitude and altitude are investigated. Further, the importance of open-grown trees for saproxylic diversity is assessed.

Entre outubro de 2009 e dezembro de 2012, foi realizado estudo no Laboratório de Hidrologia Florestal Walter Emmerich (L.H.F.W.E.), para avaliar o potencial hidrológico dos nevoeiros e a precipitação oculta em ambiente de Floresta Ombrófila Densa Montana, na Serra do Mar, em Cunha, a leste do Estado de São Paulo. Os objetivos específicos da pesquisa foram: 1) avaliar o desempenho de coletores de água de nevoeiro; 2) verificar o potencial de coleta de água de nevoeiro no laboratório; 3) analisar o potencial de coleta de água de nevoeiro em três setores da microbacia experimental D; 4) averiguar a distribuição espacial e temporal de ocorrência dos nevoeiros na microbacia D e 5) estimar a contribuição da precipitação oculta na floresta da microbacia D. Para alcançar os três primeiros objetivos foram usados coletores passivos tipo harpa, nas formas cilíndrica e plana. Para estudar a distribuição de nevoeiros, foram feitas observações diárias de três referências visuais situadas a distâncias conhecidas no interior da microbacia D. O método da medição da precipitação efetiva foi empregado para estimar a precipitação oculta na floresta. Sobre a distribuição espacial e temporal da ocorrência de nevoeiros na microbacia D, os resultados mostraram que os episódios de nevoeiro foram mais comuns à tarde, como decorrência da brisa marítima proveniente do Oceano Atlântico. Para 61,3% do tempo, em média, foi observada a presença de nevoeiro em algum setor da microbacia, com a ocorrência dos nevoeiros diminuindo de montante para jusante da área. No que concerne ao desempenho dos equipamentos, a média de coleta diferiu de coletor para coletor, exceto entre o coletor cilíndrico descoberto e o coletor plano, que interceptaram mais água que os coletores cilíndricos cobertos. O coletor plano foi o único a interceptar água em todos os episódios amostrados. Sobre o potencial de coleta de água de nevoeiros no laboratório, concluiu-se que é reduzido e resulta da combinação de três fatores: a grande ocorrência de nevoeiros de radiação, a curta duração dos ix episódios dos nevoeiros orográficos e a baixa intensidade dos ventos na região. No que concerne ao potencial de coleta de água de nevoeiro em três setores da microbacia D, árvores localizadas próximas aos coletores funcionaram como obstáculo à livre circulação dos nevoeiros orográficos, induzindo os coletores a interceptar exíguos volumes de água. Considerando apenas os eventos de nevoeiro sem chuva, a precipitação oculta foi de 2,3 mm, correspondendo a 0,12% da precipitação pluviométrica anual. Para os eventos de chuva com a presença de nevoeiro, a precipitação oculta gerou um total de 5,1 mm de água adicional ao piso da floresta, correspondendo a 0,27% da precipitação pluviométrica. Concluiu-se que a precipitação oculta na floresta não é um processo importante para a entrada de água na microbacia D. / Between October 2009 and December 2012 a study was conducted at the Walter Emmerich Hydrologic Laboratory (LHFWE) to assess the hydrological potential of fog and occult precipitation in the Montane Dense Ombrophilous Forest environment located in the Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar - Núcleo Cunha, east of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The specific multiple objectives of the research were: 1) evaluate the performance of passive fog collectors, 2) evaluate the potential for collecting fog water in the laboratory, 3) evaluate the potential of collecting fog water in three sectors of experimental catchment \"D\", 4) determine the spatial and temporal distributions of fog occurrence in catchment \"D\", 5) estimate the contribution of occult precipitation in the rainforest in catchment \"D\". To achieve the first three objectives, cylindrical and flat harp collectors were used. To study the spatial and temporal distributions of fog occurrence, we made daily observations of three visual references located at known distances within the catchment. Net precipitation was measured and used to estimate the occult precipitation in the rainforest. Regarding the spatial and temporal distributions of fog occurrence, the results showed that episodes of fog were more common in the afternoon as a result of the sea breeze from the Atlantic Ocean. For 61.3% of the time on average, we observed the presence of fog in some sector of the catchment, with its occurrence decreasing in areas located from upstream to downstream. Concerning the comparison of the performance of the collectors, the average volume of water collected differed from collector to collector, except between cylindrical collector uncovered and flat collector, which captured more water than the cylindrical collectors covered to prevent rainwater input. The flat collector was the only gauge to intercept water in all episodes. The high incidence of fog radiation, the short duration of orographic fog, and the low intensity of winds combined to reduce the potential for harvesting fog water in the laboratory. Regarding the potential for collecting fog water in three sectors of the catchment \"D\", xi trees located next to collectors operated as an obstacle to the free movement of orographic fog inducing gauges to intercept exiguous volumes of water. Considering only fog, but no rain, occult precipitation was 2.3 mm, corresponding to 0.12% of annual rainfall. For rainfall events with the presence of fog, occult precipitation generated a total of 5.1 mm of additional water to the floor of the forest, equivalent to 0.27% of the rainfall. It was therefore concluded that occult precipitation in rainforest did not significantly contribute to water entering catchment \"D\".

Orientador: Marlies Sazima / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T12:52:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Amorim_FelipeWanderley_D.pdf: 21680900 bytes, checksum: d3888d6cbcafe24a20fcecee1b94e4fb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Polinização por esfingídeos é provavelmente um dos sistemas menos estudados em comunidades tropicais, especialmente na Mata Atlântica, que constitui um dos biomas mais diversos e ameaçados do planeta. Foram estudadas a flora esfingófila e a fauna de Sphingidae em uma área de Floresta Ombrófila Densa Montana (FODM) e analisados os processos ecológicos subjacentes às interações entre esfingídeos e plantas. Ao todo 24 espécies compuseram a flora esfingófila da área estudada, dentre as quais, quatro espécies possuem adaptações estritas à polinização por esfingídeos. A fauna de esfingídeos foi composta por 50 espécies com grande predomínio de mariposas com probóscides curtas. Plantas e esfingídeos apresentaram ajustamento morfológico significativo na distribuição dos comprimentos de tubos florais e de probóscides, porém ao contrário do padrão geral de outras áreas na região Neotropical, não houve ajustamento fenológico estrito entre esfingídeos e plantas na Mata Atlântica. A presença sazonal de mariposas com longas probóscides na área está relacionada principalmente a emigração de espécies oriundas de ecossistemas adjacentes à FODM. Limitação de polinizadores foi comum nas espécies vegetais mais especializadas o que limitou a produção de frutos. Os processos de seleção mediada por polinizadores nestas espécies, também foram afetados. Porém, processos locais de seleção mediada por polinizadores, provavelmente devem agir na estruturação de ajustamentos morfológicos entre esfingídeos e plantas, mesmo sendo variáveis no tempo e no espaço, conforme sugerem os resultados. Apesar da ausência de ajustamento fenológico estrito entre esfingídeos e plantas na Mata Atlântica, o padrão geral registrado em outros biomas sugere ocorrência de esfingídeos de longas probóscides coincidente com a floração de espécies esfingófilas com longos tubos florais. Como este grupo de plantas oferece maior quantidade de néctar em um "nicho privado" aos esfingídeos de longas probóscides, esse ajustamento fenológico poderia ser visto como estratégia para minimizar a competição por recursos florais entre mariposas com probóscides longas e curtas nas comunidades de Sphingidae / Abstract: Hawkmoth pollination is probably one of the least studied pollination systems in tropical communities, particularly in the Atlantic Rainforest, one of the most diverse and threatened biomes in the world. In this work we studied the sphingophilous plants and the Sphingidae fauna in an area of Highland AtlanticRainforest (HARF) and analyzed the ecological processes underlying the interactions between plants and hawkmoths. Altogether, 24 species composed the sphingophilous flora recorded to the study site, among which four species had strict adaptations related to hawkmoth pollination. The hawkmoth fauna was composed of 50 species with great predominance of short-tongued moths. Hawkmoths and plants showed a significant morphological match in the distribution of floral tubes and proboscises lengths, but unlike the general pattern obtained for other areas in the Neotropical region, we did not record a strict phenological match between hawkmoths and plants in the Atlantic Rainforest. The seasonal occurrence of long-tongued moths in the study site is related mainly to the income of migrating species from adjacent ecosystems to the HARF. Pollinator-limitation was common in the most specialized sphingophilous plants limiting fruit-set. Pollinator-mediated selection processes in highly specialized species were also impaired. However, local processes of pollinator-mediated selection may operate structuring the morphological match between hawkmoths and plants in spite of being variable in time and space, as suggested by the results. Despite the absence of a strict phenological match between hawkmoths and plants in the Atlantic Rainforest, the general pattern recorded to other analyzed biomes suggests a concurrence of long-tongued hawkmoths and long-tubed flowers through the phenological time. Since this group of plants offers greater amounts of nectar in a "private niche" where only long-tongued hawkmoths can have access, such phenological match could be viewed as a strategy to reduce competition for floral resources between long- and short-tongued moths in the Sphingidae community / Doutorado / Biologia Vegetal / Doutor em Biologia Vegetal

Orientador: Marcos Pereira Marinho Aidar / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T19:18:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Marchiori_NidiaMara_M.pdf: 3439360 bytes, checksum: 8e5d49e665742675abd331ec9cff9ba4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: O Nitrogênio é um nutriente essencial para o crescimento das plantas e produtividade de um ecossistema, visto sua ação como limitante para a fotossíntese ou relação com a reflectância da luz (albedo). Além disso, detém importância ecológica por ser uma ferramenta para a categorização de espécies em classes sucessionais baseado na utilização de suas formas disponíveis. Dessa forma, a compreensão da fisiologia do uso de N é essencial, especialmente em florestas tropicais, onde existem poucos estudos com essa abordagem. A Mata Atlântica (MA) é originalmente a segunda maior floresta tropical do continente americano, contudo grande parte de sua área e biodiversidade foi perdida e atualmente essa Floresta é definida como um "hotspot" para conservação da biodiversidade. O conhecimento e entendimento da estrutura e do funcionamento de ecossistemas complexos como os que compõem a MA é de suma importância para a discussão de temas atuais como o balanço de carbono global, nutrição vegetal e mudanças climáticas. Dentre os principais objetivos foram: a caracterização fitossociológica e estrutural de um trecho de Floresta Ombrófila Densa Montana (FODM), elucidar as estratégias de utilização de nitrogênio pelas plantas e avaliar através de parâmetros foliares, as respostas das plantas frente à mudança da estação do ano e a sazonalidade intrínseca. A área de coleta estava localizada na microbacia Ribeirão Casa de Pedra, Núcleo Santa Virgínia/Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar- São Luiz do Paraitinga, SP. Quanto à estrutura e composição do trecho de FODM estudado pode-se verificar uma floresta em estádio secundário inicial de regeneração avançando para uma condição mais tardia, sendo essa definição baseada tanto no histórico de utilização da área, quanto na composição de espécies e fisiologia do uso de nitrogênio. Assim, os resultados indicaram que em FODM há intensa diversidade biológica e diversidade funcional. Importante ressaltar também que esse projeto de mestrado foi parte integrante do Projeto Temático "Carbon tracker and water availability: controls of land use and climate changes" (Clima - FAPESP 08/58120-3; período de 2009-2013; coordenação Humberto Ribeiro da Rocha), cujo objetivo principal foi a quantificação à longo prazo da dinâmica dos fluxos de água, energia e CO2 em Biomas de Cerrado e Mata Atlântica no sudeste do Brasil / Abstract: Nitrogen is an essencial nutrient for plant growth and ecosystem productivity, either by limiting photosynthesis or related to the light reflectance (albedo). In addition, N has an ecological importance because it can be a tool for the categorization of species in ecological succession and functional types based on the use of its available forms. Thus, understanding the physiology of N use is essential, especially in tropical forests, where despite the impending increase of this element as a result of intensive fertilization or atmospheric deposition there are few studies using this approach. The Atlantic Forest (AF) is originally the second largest rainforest at the America continent, but much of its area and biodiversity has been lost and now the forest is defined as a "hotspot" for biodiversity conservation. The knowledge and understanding of the structure and functioning of complex ecosystems such as those that comprise the AF is of paramount importance for the discussion of current issues as the global carbon balance, plant nutrition and climate change. The main aims were: phytosociological and structural characterization of the tree component in a Montane Tropical Rainforest, understand the strategies of nitrogen use by plants and assess through leaf parameters, the response of plants to the change of season and intrinsic seasonality. The study area of the three chapters that follow are inserted in the watershed Ribeirão Casa de Pedra, Núcleo Santa Virginia Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, located in São Luiz do Paraitinga-SP. The results indicated that Montane Tropical Rainforest was in initial secondary stage of regeneration evolving to a climax condition, based on the past human disturbance in the area, species composition and physiology of N use. Also indicated that this forest has many species and functional diversity. It is also important to note that this Master's project is part of the Thematic Project "Carbon tracker and water availability: controls of land use and climate changes" (Climate - FAPESP 08/58120-3; period 2009-2013; coordinated by Humberto Ribeiro da Rocha), whose main objective is to quantify the long-term dynamics of fluxes of water, CO2, energy at Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes in southeastern Brazil / Mestrado / Biologia Vegetal / Mestra em Biologia Vegetal