STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF A FRAGMENT OF CAATINGA IN THE SERIDÓ REGION OF PARAÍBA.

Abstract

The caatinga or esteppic savanna, is one of the more heterogeneous and unknown Brazilian biome, being under high antropic pressure. The present work aimed to study the floristic composition and the structure of the shrub-tree stratum in a fragment of caatinga, in Santa Luzia Municipality, Seridó micro region in Paraíba State. Seridó is one of de priority spot for biodiversity conservation in the semi-arid tropic. The research took place at the Madalena Farm (6º48'36.7”S and 36º57'38.8”W), being accomplished a survey in 20 parcels which totalize 4,000m² of sampled area. The structure of the adult and the natural regeneration strata, as well the vegetation diversity was analyzed. Were surveyed 2,368 individuals, belonging to eight families, 15 genera and 22 species. The families Fabaceae and Euphorbiaceae, and the species Croton sonderianus Müll. Arg., Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul., Pilosocereus gounellei (F.A.C. Weber) Byles & G.D. Rowley, Jatropha mollissima (Pohl) Baill. and Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus (Müll. Arg.) Pax & K. Hoffm. were the most representative. By the analyses of vegetation diversity, diametric and hypsometric distribution it was find out to be a very poor vegetation stand, comparing to others caatinga physiognomies.