Demographic dynamics of araucaria trees in forest fragments with different structural conditions

•Patterns of tree recruitment and mortality provides a better understanding regarding ecological preferences of species.•Araucaria angustifolia is sensitive to overstocked environments and its recruitment is facilitated in less dense areas.•Areas subjected to previous grazing did not result in restriction to araucaria recruitment.•The dbh class of 55 cm represents the largest dimension of demographic stability within the Araucaria angustifolia population.