Floristic characterization and dendrological key for species in a Cerradão area in the Cerrado-Pantanal transition, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to catalogue and characterize the shrub and tree species in a fragment of Cerradão, in order to produce a dichotomous key based on dendrological characteristics, for the identification of the species in the region. The study area is located in the Cerrado-Pantanal transition, in Cáceres, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, and presents an area of 3 hectares that was divided into 32 plots of 48x20 m. The survey was carried out by inventorying the individuals with a diameter ≥ 5.0 cm, at 30 cm from the ground. The key was elaborated upon the observed dendrological characters. A total of 84 species, 73 genera and 34 families were recorded. Fabaceae (21 spp.), Malvaceae (6 spp.), Anacardiaceae/Bignoniaceae (5 spp.), Rubiaceae (4 spp.) and Euphorbiaceae/Vochysiaceae (3 spp.) accounted for 55.95% of the species richness. Among the genera, Bauhinia stood out with three species. The studied fragment has a high species richness, and whereas it presents the most typical components of the region, it also presented low similarity with other areas of the same phytophysiognomy.