Title
Floristic composition and structure of an upper montane cloud forest in the Serra da Mantiqueira Mountain Range of Brazil
Date Issued
01 July 2014
Access level
open access
Resource Type
research article
Author(s)
Pompeu P.V.
Fontes M.A.L.
dos Santos R.M.
Garcia P.O.
Batista T.A.
Carvalho W.A.C.
de Oliveira Filho A.T.
Abstract
We analyzed the community structure of an upper montane cloud forest (elevation, 1900 m) in the Serra da Mantiqueira Mountain Range, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Our objective was to determine the comparative tree species richness and floristic diversity within this forest, which is at one of the higher elevations in the range, in relation to surrounding forests that are at lower elevations, adjusting for elevational gradients. Within 15 permanent plots (40 × 10 m each), we tagged all tree individuals with a diameter at breast height ≥ 5 cm, registering their height and diameter. To compare the study area with neighboring cloud forests, we used the Sorensen similarity coefficient and phytosociological parameters. We sampled 1250 individuals distributed among 89 species, 55 genera, and 34 families. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed no gradients related to the vegetation or soil. We found that tree species richness and diversity were high in the study area. There was structural and floristic heterogeneity among the communities evaluated, underscoring the importance of conservation of these high-elevation ecosystems, which are so unique and irreplaceable.
Start page
456
End page
464
Volume
28
Issue
3
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Ciencias de las plantas, Botánica
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-84929927947
Source
Acta Botanica Brasilica
ISSN of the container
01023306
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus