Structure and floristic relationships between Cerrado sensu stricto sites on two types of substrate in northern Cerrado, Brazil (original) (raw)

Diversity, floristic and structural patterns of cerrado vegetation in Central Brazil

Plant Ecology, 2004

The cerrado has been identified as one of the richest and most threatened biomes of the world, but few phytogeographical studies have been undertaken in the region. A total of 70 land systems based on climate, landscape and soils have been identified in the region, but it remains to be seen if the distribution and structure of the plant communities support these divisions. The aim of this work was to compare the floristic and structural similarity of cerrado sensu stricto within and between three physiographic units, named Pratinha, Veadeiros and São Francisco, which contain six land systems in central Brazil and cover 10 degrees of latitude and five degrees of longitude. The woody vegetation of 15 selected sites of the cerrado sensu stricto physiognomy was surveyed under a standardized methodology. The number of species per site varied from 55 to 97, with most sites having around 60 to 70 species, and Shannon´s diversity indices ranged from 3.44 to 3.73, with most sites around 3.5 suggesting high alpha diversity. Sørensen´s floristic similarity index was high, with all Figures above 0.5 between the sites in the same land system in each physiographic unit but low between sites in different land systems in the Veadeiros. Czekanowski similarity indices were lower than Sørensen’s in the comparisons due to a high structural differentiation between the sites. There is a large overlap in species occurrence in the sites but the size of their populations is very different at each site. Therefore, the high beta diversity is mostly due to differences in abundance of species between sites. The sites were separated by physiographic units, considering the first three divisions of TWINSPAN classification. The first axis of DCA ordination showed a gradient going from the cerrado on deep soils in Pratinha, through to those on sandy soils in São Francisco and ending on the shallower soils of the Veadeiros. Land systems conformed well with the floristic and structural variations of the vegetation, indicating their potential use in designing a network of conservation areas in the cerrado region and as a basis for decision-making on management.

The tree-shrub vegetation in rocky outcrop cerrado areas in Goiás State, Brazil

Brazilian Journal of Botany, 2012

-(The tree-shrub vegetation in rocky outcrop cerrado areas in Goiás State, Brazil). We describe the floristic composition of the tree-shrub vegetation in 10 areas of rocky outcrop cerrado in Goiás State, Brazil. Ten 20 × 50 m plots (totaling 1 ha) were established and all of the individuals with diameters at 30 cm above soil level (DB 30) ≥ 5 cm were included in the sampling. Comparative analyses of the flora were realized using similarity indices (Sørensen and Czekanowski), classification analysis (TWINSPAN), and the Mantel test. A total of 13,041 tree-shrub individuals were sampled, distributed among 219 species, 129 genera and 55 families. Fabaceae was the most well-represented family, followed by Myrtaceae, Melastomataceae, Vochysiaceae, Malphigiaceae, and Rubiaceae. Fully 42.3% of the comparisons evaluated by the Sørensen index were > 0.50, while all the values were < 0.50 for the Czekanowski index, with the exception of Jaraguá and Mara Rosa areas. The TWINSPAN classification generated four divisions and, in general, only the differences in the size of the population were responsible for the groupings. The Mantel test indicated that there was no relationship between floristic similarity and the distances between the areas (r = 0.32, P = 0.05). It therefore appears that the areas of rocky outcrop cerrado in Goiás State are relatively floristically homogeneous and that they are principally distinguished by the differences in the sizes of the populations of their dominant species, and the presence of exclusive species in certain areas.

Influence of edaphic variables on the floristic composition and structure of the tree-shrub vegetation in typical and rocky outcrop cerrado areas in Serra Negra, Goiás State, Brazil

Brazilian Journal of Botany, 2012

-(Influence of edaphic variables on the floristic composition and structure of the tree-shrub vegetation in typical and rocky outcrop cerrado areas in Serra Negra, Goiás State, Brazil). The present study analyzed the influence of edaphic variables on the floristic compositions and structures of the arboreal and shrub vegetation of typical cerrado (TC) and rocky outcrop cerrado (RC) communities in the Serra Negra mountain range in Piranhas Municipality, Goiás State, Brazil. Ten 20 × 50 m plots were established in each community, and all individuals with minimum diameters ≥ 5 cm measured at 30 cm above soil level were sampled. Composite soil samples were collected at 0-20 cm depths in each plot for physical and chemical analyses. The proportions of above-ground rock cover work also estimated in each RC plot. A total of 2,009 individuals (83 species, 69 genera, and 34 families) were recorded. Qualea parviflora was the only species consistently among the 10 most structurally important taxa in both communities, and was considered a generalist species. The observed and estimated species richnesses were greater in RC than in TC, although plant basal areas and heights did not differ between them. There were positive correlations between rock cover × plant density and rock cover × basal areas. TWINSPAN and PCA analysis separated the TC and RC plots, and three RC habitat specialist species (Wunderlichia mirabilis, Norantea guianensis, and Tibouchina papyrus) were identified. Soil variables were found to have greater effects on the species compositions of the TC and RC sites than the geographic distances between sampling plots. According to CCA analysis, the exclusive (or more abundant species) of each community were correlated with soil variables, and these variables therefore determined the selection of some species and influenced the differentiation of the vegetation structures of the communities studied.

Influence of edaphic variables on the floristic composition and structure of the tree-shrub vegetation in typical and rocky outcrop cerrado areas in Serra Negra, Goiás State, Brazil 1

Influence of edaphic variables on the floristic composition and structure of the tree-shrub vegetation in typical and rocky outcrop cerrado areas in Serra Negra, Goiás State, Brazil). The present study analyzed the influence of edaphic variables on the floristic compositions and structures of the arboreal and shrub vegetation of typical cerrado (TC) and rocky outcrop cerrado (RC) communities in the Serra Negra mountain range in Piranhas Municipality, Goiás State, Brazil. Ten 20 × 50 m plots were established in each community, and all individuals with minimum diameters ≥ 5 cm measured at 30 cm above soil level were sampled. Composite soil samples were collected at 0-20 cm depths in each plot for physical and chemical analyses. The proportions of above-ground rock cover work also estimated in each RC plot. A total of 2,009 individuals (83 species, 69 genera, and 34 families) were recorded. Qualea parviflora was the only species consistently among the 10 most structurally important taxa in both communities, and was considered a generalist species. The observed and estimated species richnesses were greater in RC than in TC, although plant basal areas and heights did not differ between them. There were positive correlations between rock cover × plant density and rock cover × basal areas. TWINSPAN and PCA analysis separated the TC and RC plots, and three RC habitat specialist species (Wunderlichia mirabilis, Norantea guianensis, and Tibouchina papyrus) were identified. Soil variables were found to have greater effects on the species compositions of the TC and RC sites than the geographic distances between sampling plots. According to CCA analysis, the exclusive (or more abundant species) of each community were correlated with soil variables, and these variables therefore determined the selection of some species and influenced the differentiation of the vegetation structures of the communities studied.

Diversity, floristic composition, and structure of the woody vegetation of the Cerrado in the Cerrado–Amazon transition zone in Mato Grosso, Brazil

Brazilian Journal of Botany, 2015

We compared the diversity and species composition, and the structure of the vegetation of three distinct Cerrado phytophysiognomies (Cerradão, Dense Cerrado, and Typical Cerrado) in the Cerrado-Amazon transition, Mato Grosso (Brazil). Species richness (observed and estimated) in the Cerradão and Dense Cerrado was higher than that recorded in the Typical Cerrado. Species diversity, based on a Rényi profile, was highest in the Dense Cerrado, in comparison with the other phytophysiognomies. We recorded a higher number of exclusive species in the Cerradão, and a greater similarity (Morisita and Sørensen indices) between this vegetation type and the Dense Cerrado. While individuals were tallest in the Cerradão and Dense Cerrado and lowest in the Typical Cerrado, there was no difference among phytophysiognomies in mean diameter. A gradient in decreasing species richness and diversity (hypothesis 1) and vegetation vertical structure (hypothesis 3) was expected for the Cerradão-Dense Cerrado-Typical Cerrado; however, neither hypothesis was supported by the results. The Cerradão and Dense Cerrado were most similar in species composition not confirming hypothesis 2, which predicted that the two savanna vegetation types (Dense Cerrado and Typical Cerrado) were more similar to one another than either is to the woodland (Cerradão). Overall, the similarities among the three study communities depended on the type of parameter analyzed. While the species richness and the vertical and structure of the vegetation of the Cerradão and Dense Cerrado are closely similar, the Cerradão and Typical Cerrado are more similar in their species diversity. With regard to the floristic composition, Dense Cerrado occupies an intermediate position between Cerradão and Typical Cerrado.

Changes in the floristic composition of cerrado sensu stricto in Brazil over a nine-year period

Journal of Tropical Ecology, 2000

Changes in floristic composition and structure in a cerrado sensu stricto area were studied over a 9-y period. A sample of 19 (20-m × 50-m) permanent plots was assessed at 3-y intervals from 1985 to 1994, when all stems ≥ 5 cm at 0.30 m above the ground level were measured. There was little change in species composition over the period. Changes in density and basal area of the whole community were in the range of 5% over the 9 y. These parameters fluctuated over the years with the greatest differences found in the comparisons of 1991, 2 y after an accidental fire reached the site, with other years. The changes in density and basal area were greater than in several tropical forests, probably due to disturbances such as fire occurring at 3 to 5-y intervals. The nearly constant density and basal area suggested a highly resilient community.

Floristic-Structural Characterization and Successional Group of Tree Species in the Cerrado Biome of Tocantins State, Brazil

Revista Caatinga, 2016

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to characterize the floristic composition, vegetation structure and ecological group of tree species in a cerradão forest (Cerrado biome) of Palmas, Tocantins State, Brazil. A forest inventory was performed in an area of 10.15 hectares, using systematic sampling with plots of 400 m², in which all standing trees, alive and dead, that had diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm were sampled and identified. A linear plateau regression model (LPR) was used for sample sufficiency analysis. The Shannon index (H') was used for assess the floristic diversity, and the Importance Value Index (IVI) for assess the horizontal structure. The forest was classified in three strata according to vertical structure analysis. The LPR showed that the sampling size was adequate. The predominate species in the area were Myrcia splendens, Emmotum nitens and Qualea parviflora, and species from the families Fabaceae and Chrysobalanaceae. The pioneer (613 individua...

Phytosociology, diversity and floristic similarity of a Cerrado fragment on Southern Ceará state, Brazilian Semiarid

Scientia Forestalis

There is a lack of studies on phytosociology of Cerrado fragments within the Caatinga biome, located in the Southern region of Ceará State, associated to the Brazilian Crystalline Shield geological formation. Thus, contributing to the diagnosis and knowledge of this plant community, a survey on the general flora and especially the structure of arboreal vegetation was made. Every individual with SND ≥ 3cm (total height), within 12 parcels with 12x30 m (0.432 ha) of area was sampled. The floristic similarity was calculated by the Jaccard index, in comparison with ten other Brazilian Cerrado areas. Fourty-six species distributed in 22 families were found, comprising a total of 906 individuals, with AD=2,097.22 ind.ha-1. The highest abundance was found within families Fabaceae (20.31%) and Vochysiaceae (19.98%). Qualea parviflora, Annona leptopetala, Hymenaea stignocarpa and Callisthene fasciculata had the highest IVI index species. The calculated biodiversity indexes were: alpha diversity of Shannon (H') = 3.8 and equitability of Pielou (J') = 0.83. The results obtained show the area as a vegetation relict, under threat due to the penetration of Caatinga species, climatic changes, insufficient conservation efforts and fast anthropic deforestation. As a result, this relict area tends to shrink to a fragment much smaller than it was in the past.

Structure and Use of a Rocky Cerrado in Northeastern Brazil: Does the Ecological Appearancy Hypothesis Explain this Relationship

Structure and Use of a Rocky Cerrado in Northeastern Brazil: Does the Ecological Appearancy Hypotheses Explain this Realationship, 2019

The aim of this study was to characterize the vegetation structure of a low-altitude rupestrian Cerrado in the state of Piauí and to evaluate its economic exploitation by the population. The research was developed in the Castelo do Piauí. Vegetation sampling was performed by the Minimum Phytosociological Assessment Protocol (MPAP). The phytosociological parameters were obtained through the Software R. The use of the species was surveyed through interviews with the community, after which the value of use was analyzed and the hypothesis of the ecological appearancy was tested. In all 73.7% of the species found are useful for the community and the timber category was the most prominent. The hypothesis of the ecological appearancy showed a negative relation between the use and some phytosociological parameters. Original Research Article Oliveira et al.; JEAI, 38(5): 1-10, 2019; Article no.JEAI.49793 2