PLANT SPECIES DISTRIBUTION IN SEASONAL FOREST SEMIDECIDUAL SUBMONTANA, PINHEIRAL-RJ

Topographic factors, as altitude and slope may affect floristic composition along a forest landscape. The adaptation of plant species to environmental conditions is closely related to soil attributes. This study aimed to evaluate how relief shapes variation (pedoforms) affected the distribution of tree species in a Semidecidual Seasonal Tropical Forest remnant, in Southeastern Brazil. Sites with convex and concave surfaces were selected, and partitioned into microsites (MS) along the slope. Soil sampling depths taken in the MS were 0-5 and 5-10 cm, for chemical and physical characterization. Floristic and phytosociological transect surveys of the tree communities were performed. Physical and chemical soil attributes were found to be affected by landscape surfaces and slope conditions; concave surfaces showed the best physical and chemical soil attributes. Landscape surfaces and slope conditions also affected the distribution of forest tree species. Results suggest that the decision making on defining actions for forest restoration should take account whether the area to be restored is on either a convex or a concave surface.