THE WOODY VEGETATION OF QUARTZITE SOILS IN A MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPE IN THE ATLANTIC FOREST DOMAIN (SOUTH-EASTERN BRAZIL): STRUCTURE, DIVERSITY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION

J H C Ribeiro,F A Carvalho,C R Fonseca

doi:10.1017/s096042861600024x

J H C Ribeiro, F A Carvalho + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1017/s096042861600024x

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Abstract

The Serra Negra belongs to the Mantiqueira mountain complex, Minas Gerais, Brazil. It has a vegetation mosaic dominated by ombrophilous and seasonal forest and grassland formations. Woody physiognomies occur on patches of quartzite soils. The aim of the present study was to investigate the patterns of structure and diversity of woody vegetation on quartzite soils in Serra Negra. Ten plots (20 × 50 m) were randomly placed in patches of woody vegetation on quartzite soils along the landscape. The diameter and height of all woody plants with a diameter of ≥ 3 cm at 30 cm from the soil were measured. The 1899 individuals sampled represented 30 plant families and 68 species. A strong ecological dominance was found, with about 30% of individuals belonging to a single species, Eremanthus incanus (Asteraceae). The Shannon diversity index (H′) was 2.74 nats/individual and evenness (J) 0.65. The two most abundant and ecologically important species in this vegetation type, Eremanthus incanus and Eremanthus erythropappus, called ‘candeias’, are exploited in the region, mainly for firewood. This exploitation, combined with other factors (e.g. increased tourism), can pose risks to the conservation of the whole flora of the region.

Highlights

Tropical mountains harbour a wide biological diversity, especially with regard to flora (Martinelli, 2007)
We present the first analysis of the structure and diversity of non-forest woody vegetation on quartzite soils in this region of the Mantiqueira mountain complex, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Percentage of multistemmed individuals and total stems for the community and principal populations∗ in vegetation on quartzitic soils in Serra Negra, Rio

Summary

Introduction

Tropical mountains harbour a wide biological diversity, especially with regard to flora (Martinelli, 2007). An important factor governing plant diversity in tropical mountains is the high heterogeneity of environments found in these regions, which leads to the occurrence of species with different adaptations in small areas (Ribeiro et al, 2007). This shows that high beta diversity (Whittaker et al, 2001) is an important component of such systems.

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