Phytosociology in areas of the Brazilian Cerrado: Cerrado stricto sensu, municipality of Porto Nacional, State of Tocantins

Abstract

Phytosociological studies are essential for the elaboration of conservation strategies for the Cerrado. The goal of this study was to survey two areas of cerrado stricto sensu: Fazenda Canaã and Fazenda Providência, located in the Municipality of Porto Nacional, State of Tocantins. There were 10 plots of 100 m² allocated in each area. All individuals with circumference equal to or greater than 10 cm, at ground height ≥10 cm were sampled, soil samples were taken for physical-chemical analysis. Sampling in Canaã resulted in 379 individuals belonging to 28 families and 50 species. In Providência, there were 300 individuals from 27 families and 49 species. The Shannon-Wiener Index for the Canaã was 3.48 and for Providência, 3.45. The studied areas presented a large number of small sized individuals, presenting a reverse J-shaped diameter structure. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis showed significant scores for the first axes (p < 0.05) according to the Monte Carlo test, which explained 70% total variability of the data. The variables with the highest structure coefficient in axis 1 were clay (0.94), pH (0.62) and magnesium (-0.32). On axis 2, the most important variables were aluminum (0.29), silt (0.25) and potassium (-0.078). These soil variables show a differentiation of the study areas.