Influence of Edaphic and Phytosociological Attributes on Semideciduous Remnants Vegetation

Atlantic forest biome in Brazil has high biodiversity that is threated due to fragmentation and its remnants retain important residual flora that should be preserved. Studies of environmental conditions that influence species occurrence in those areas are very important to preserve them. This study characterized two remnants vegetation in the Biological Reserve, Pindorama-SP, Brazil, classified as seasonal semideciduous forest sampled in 65 plots of 400 m 2 , using soil attributes and vegetation data. Soil attributes altitude, basal area, height and number of trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm were evaluated in the plots and non-arboreous species infestation was evaluated in a randomly drawn quadrant of 100 m 2 . The hierarchical clustering, based on soil attributes, separated plots in two major groups and five subgroups of similarity used to characterize the vegetation and the species diversity, by the Shannon Index (H') and the Pielou Equitability Coefficient (J). Soil attributes influenced endemic trees and non-arborous vegetation showing that preservation of native vegetation should consider these species relationships. Plots with higher clay percentage and higher fertility had higher infestation of non-arboreous plants as bamboo, lianas and different grasses species and had lower species diversity, basal area and height of tree species.