VEGETATION STRUCTURE OF THE CRICACEAE SCRUB INTERTHICKET AREA IN SETIBA STATE PARK, ESPIRITO SANTO
Abstract
The vegetation of the area between thickets in a vegetation type known as Ericaccae scrub was studied in the State of Espirito Santo, Brazil. A total of 30 species were sampled in the 140 m2 area. Three species (Chamaecrista ramosa, Trilepis sp .. Cuphea flava) dominated the vegetation with high importance value indices (58% of the total). Total density was 103,571 plants hectare. Total plant cover was relatively low when compared to the interthicket area of other Ericaceac scrub formations (44% bare ground), probably due to higher topographic location. This vegetation has a higher diversity (H'=2.43) and is more closely related floristically to the open Clusia scrub (interthicket area) in Setiba than to Ericaceae scrub in other geographic localities.
