PHYTOSOCIOLOGY OF A RUPESTRE SAVANA AREA IN BRASÍLIA-DF-BRAZIL

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the phytosociological composition in a fragment of Cerrado rupestre located in the Sucupira farm, Brasília, DF. This site has been suffering constant urban and agricultural pressure. Ten plots of 20 x 50 m (1000m2) were randomly sampled, five of them placed in a hillside area and the other five on the top of the hill. All woody individuals with perimeter over 15,7 cm were included in the sample. Height and diameter at 30 cm from the ground were measured. A total of 51 species in 51 genera and 25 families was found. Diversity was high (H = 3.087) and Sørensen´s similarity indices were low in the comparisons between the plots. The species Sclerolobium paniculatum var. subvelutinum, Miconia ferruginata, Byrsonima pachyphylla, Qualea parviflora, Palicourea rigida, Eremanthus glomerulathus and Ferdinandusa elliptica had the highest importance value index. Density and basal area were 631 and 3.679 m2/ha, respectively. Diversity in the Cerrado rupestre was similar to that found for several areas of Cerrado sensu stricto in the region, but density and basal area were lower than at most sites.