Abstract
Rivers in the Amazonian region have annual water level fluctuations varying from 6 to 20m, and the flooding period ranges from 50 to 270 days between the rising and falling phases. Along the rivers there are many different types of vegetation which are annually flooded. In order to study the variation of the species composition and structure of a forest that is seasonally flooded by a clear water river in Brazilian Amazonia 20km SW of Santarem, Para State, Brazil, we surveyed three hectares, each divided in ten randomly placed rectangular quadrats (10×50m). The number of species per hectare ranged from 21 to 30. The number of trees varied from 242 to 741. Total basal area ranged from 0.70 to 10.9m2. Leguminosae was the most abundant and dominant family in the three hectares sampled. Couepia paraensis (Chrysobalanaceae), Campsiandra laurifolia (Leguminosae) and Leopoldinia pulchra (Palmae) were the most abundant species in the hectares sampled. Similarity indexes at species level varied from 46 to 60% between the three hectares sampled. The hectares studied have the lowest species richness observed in igapo floodplain forest of the Brazilian Amazonia. This may be correlated with the water type, soil condition and proximity of savanna.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
