Tree layer structure and soil characteristics of two deciduous dry forests in the Araguari river valley, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

(Tree layer structure and soil characteristics of two deciduous dry forests in the Araguari river valley, Minas Gerais State, Brazil). This study aimed to analyze the vegetation structure and soil characteristics of two deciduous forests, hereafter referred to as Funil 1 and Funil 2, located in the Araguari river valley, Triangulo Mineiro region. Sixty 10x20 m plots were laid out in each forest. All trees with a minimum circumference of 15 cm at 1.30 m above ground were sampled. Soil samples were collected from 20 plots in each forest. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to check relationships between species distribution and soil characteristics. Funil 1 had a density of 1695 ind./ha and basal area of 16.25 m(2)/ha. A total of 64 species, 49 genera and 32 families were found in the area. Funil 2 had a density of 937.5 ind./ha, basal area of 14.02 m(2)/ha and a total of 46 species, 39 genera and 22 families. Shannon's index for Funil 1 and Funil 2 was 2.76 and 2.59, respectively. Pielou's evenness index was the same in both environments (J' = 0.66). Chemical analysis of forest soils showed high similarity. In contrast, there were significant physical differences between Funil 1 and Funil 2 soils. Soil humidity of Funil 1 and 2 changed during the year (ANOVA F = 367.67; df = 3; p < 0.001); December was the wettest month and September, the driest month. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that most of the species were distributed throughout the area in both forests, differing only abundance.