Tree changes in a mature rainforest with high diversity and endemism on the Brazilian coast

The tree changes of 1.02 ha of montane forest at the Santa Lúcia Biological Station, southeastern Brazil, were analyzed using two surveys separated by an interval of 11 years with the aim of confirming the patterns of stability of structure and diversity over time. In the original survey all trees with diameter at breast height ≥6.4 cm were sampled. In second survey (this study), dead trees, survivors and recruits in the same forest were reported. The data suggest a dynamic balance of the forest structure because mortality (−1.06% year⁻¹ for number of trees and −0.85% year⁻¹ for basal area) was very close to recruitment (0.89% year⁻¹) and ingrowth (1.05% year⁻¹). The high diversity of the original survey (H′ > 5.2) was maintained by the turnover species. The main tree populations also showed stability of number of trees and basal area. This pattern was shared by most of the 28 local endemic species, ensuring the maintenance of their populations in the plot.