The rapid recovery of a Caatinga dry forest is mediated by disturbance-adapted species

Tropical dry forest regeneration in human-modified landscapes may be more complex than previously proposed since the remaining forest is permanently exposed to a myriad of human disturbances. We examined the regeneration of a Caatinga dry forest in the context of the extraction of forest products and livestock production to reveal patterns and potential mechanisms driving forest regeneration in a human-modified landscape. Seed, seedling, and adult assemblages from woody species were sampled across a forest chronosequence and old-growth forest stands. Community-level metrics were related to the age of regenerating forest stands, precipitation, and human-chronic disturbances via linear and non-linear statistical models and multivariate analyses. Overall, regenerating and old-growth forest stands exhibited similar stem abundance and species richness across all ontogenetic stages. Little directional change occurred along forest regeneration, with a negligible role played by forest stand age..., , # Data from: The rapid recovery of a Caatinga dry forest is mediated by disturbance-adapted species

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.41ns1rnsc](10.5061/dryad.41ns1rnsc)

## Description of the data and file structure

The data was collected in Catimbau National Park, a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest in Brazil (Caatinga). Each plot has 20x50m, where seeds, seedlings, and adults were sampled. We distributed 15 plots in regeneration patches with different fallow periods and 20 plots in mature plots (>100 years old).

### Files and variables

#### File: data.xls

**Description:** three species names, X plot matrices: seeds, seedlings, and adults

##### Variables

Sheet 1 (Seed) - Community matrix of seeds. This is a community matrix of seeds, showing the abundance of different seed species found across various plots or sampling points. This community matrix documents how many seeds of each species were found in each plot, providing a detailed snapshot of seed distribution and abundance across a ...,