Diametric Distribution Projection of Ecological Groups in a Mixed Tropical Forest

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the ecological and successional aspects of a subtropical forest fragment by projection of the diameter distribution of different ecological groups, using transition matrix model. Based on measurements of 2009 and 2012 of all trees above 10 cm of DBH, projection of the diameter distribution as well as analysis of forest dynamic were made for three species groups: Pioneer; Non Pioneers, and the whole forest. Simulations of the dynamics of the groups were made until 2027 after method validation. The projection method was adherent in all cases, with higher precision when using the 5cm class interval. The analysis made indicated a gradual substitution tendency of the pioneer species, suggesting a successional advance in the forest fragment under study, as well as an efficiency of the projection method for dynamics analysis of the ecological groups studied.