TREE COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN A NEOTROPICAL SWAMP FOREST IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL

The study aimed evaluates the tree structure in a swamp forest in southeastern Brazil and compare with other studies. All individuals with perimeter at breast height >= 10 cm were sampled at 0.22 hectares. We recorded 39 species included in 26 botanical families. Richeria grandis, Xylopia emarginata, Protium heptaphyllum, Tapirira guianensis and Calophyllum brasiliensis showed the highest importance values, and are characteristics of the Brazilian swamp forests. These forests are restricted in permanently waterlogged land and showed peculiar floristic composition and structure, differing of the others woody physiognomies of the Cerrado Domain. Floristic and structural comparisons with other swamp forests showed a clear distinction between Distrito Federal and Triangulo Mineiro forests with those of the Sao Paulo state and south of Minas Gerais. This suggests some floristic and structural heterogeneity related to geographical distance between surveys and relation with phytogeografic patterns for each swamp forest.