NATURAL REGENERATION OF Ocotea odorifera (VELL.) ROHWER (LAURACEAE) IN ARAUCARIA FOREST, PARANA STATE, BRAZIL

The limitation of knowledge about auto-ecology of Ocotea odorifera (Lauraceae) in the preserved remnants indicates the need for further research to provide subsidies for the implementation of conservation programs. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the natural regeneration of Ocotea odorifera (Lauraceae), an endangered species, characteristic of the vegetation type of Araucaria Forest (FOM) occurring in Private Natural Heritage Reserve (PRNP) Uru, Municipality of Lapa, Parana state, Brazil. The national distribution of this species was lifted from museum collections of the available online data, and in the Curitiba Botanical Museum (MBM). To analyze the natural regeneration were set 10 circular plots of 40 m in diameter, containing an array of seeds in the center, totaling 12,560 m(2) sampling area. All regenerating individuals Ocotea odorifera contained in the plots were geo-referenced and measured their height and Diameter at Ground Height (DGH). It was also measured the thickness of litter and light intensity in each plot. Analyses were based on phytosociological parameters and the degree of species dispersion was assessed by Morisita Index (Id). The museum survey found 867 records Ocotea odorifera, compiled by 47 national collections, occurring in 16 Brazilian states. The density of natural regeneration was 77.6 ind.ha(-1) and the growth pattern of population-inverted J, with greater abundance of individuals (44.71%) with heights up to 0.50 m. The presence of seed trees in the PRNP Uru was limited to areas of FOM at an advanced stage of succession, and the sampling units with thicker litter were those with the highest number of measured individuals. The recognition of ecological potential, especially as the regenerative capacity and the factors influencing it in a natural environment, act as a basis for conservation actions to ensure the perpetuation of Ocotea odorifera.