Floristic Analysis and Phytosociology in an Area of Caatinga, Brazil
Alexandro Dias Martins Vasconcelos
University of Brasília (UNB), Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Gabriela Gomes Ramos
Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Patos, PB, Brazil.
Robson José de Oliveira
Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Piauí, PI, Brazil.
Maria José de Holanda Leite *
Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Rio Largo, AL, Brazil.
Ikallo George Nunes Henriques
Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Patos, PB, Brazil.
Naiara Maria de Araújo Rios Ribeiro
State University of Southwest of Bahia (UESB), Bahia, BA, Brazil.
Géssica dos Santos Vasconcelos
Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Patos, PB, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Studies on the composition and structure of vegetation can provide important information for decision-making and the application of forest-management techniques. The aim of this research was to analyse an area of Caatinga using vegetation characterisation and forest inventory in the Rocha Eterna Community, in the district of São João do Piauí, Brazil. Simple Random Sampling was used, installing 17 sampling units of 20 x 20 m. The phytosociological parameters of the horizontal and vertical structure, the floristic diversity of the species and the timber production in the area were evaluated. Fabaceae was the most representative family. The three most representative species in the area were Senna acuruensis (Benth.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby, Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem. & Schult.) T. D. Penn. and Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir. The Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H') for the area was 1.74 nats.ind-1. The estimated basal area for the area was 8.68 m².ha-1. The estimated actual volume was 36.56 m³.ha-1. Species diversity in the fragment under study was considered low.
Keywords: Floristic diversity, vegetation structure, Survey of the Caatinga, phytosociology.