The study was taken in a reclamation area where soil was removed up to 13 meters deep in 1979, near Itaguaí county, Brazil (23º 55' 07'' S, 43º 49' 73'' O). In 2007 the composition and horizontal structure of the shrubby-arboreal strata was evaluated in five 13 years old forest plantations with similar environment conditions. For rehabilitation, rustic pioneer species were used to guarantee a sustainable successional process, which depends on species selection and their functional complementarities. Treatments were: T0 (control); T1 (100 % of exotic species); T2 (52% of exotic species); T3 (50% exotic and 50% native); T4 (39% exotic and 61% native); and T5 (15% exotic and 85% native). Variables measured were height, DBH (≥ 3.0 cm), basal area,... |