Environmental structure and relationships in the setting of natural water springs in a Lower Highland Seasonal Forest in Brazilian South

ABSTRACT: The aim of this research was to characterize an environmental structure in the setting of tree natural water springs in a Lower Highland Seasonal Forest, and to verify the relationship between community demography and soil variables as subsidies for species identification in riparian forest recovery programs in similar environments. The research was carried out in the National Forest of Chapecó, located in the west of the state of Santa Catarina in the southern region of Brazil. For this, three water springs were demarcated, where 26 plots of 200m² in each were allocated. All individuals with diameter at 1.30m of soil height ≥5.0cm were measured. Soil samples (0 to 20cm depth) were collected in the plots for chemical and physical analysis. To relate the abundance of the species to the edaphic variables, the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used. A total of 76 species belonging to 64 genera of 36 botanical families were reported in the study area. The families Fabaceae and Myrtaceae presented greater floristic richness. The edaphic variables that most influenced the distribution of the species were aluminum saturation and calcium, magnesium and potassium contents. Specific groups of indicator species were formed for each water spring. The species designated as generalists are the most recommended for the initial filling and recovery of degraded springs. Further rare species and with low density must be included after the initial recovery to increase diversity.