This study intended to analyze the presence of clusters in the vegetation of Seasonal Deciduous Forest
remnants, characterized as a concave enclave, on steep sandy soil, among the region’s characteristic fields.
Shrub and tree specimens with CBH (circumference at breast height) ≥ 15 cm were sampled in two size
classes. In class I (CBH ≥ 30 cm) specimen sampling, we used fourteen 20 x 100 m plots, divided into
sub-plots (10 x 10 m). Class II (15 ≤ CBH < 30 cm) specimens were observed in 70 sub-portions. We used
the TWINSPAN program to analyze the clusters, which indicated two well-defined clusters in class I (G1
and G2) and one relatively homogenous cluster in class II (understorey). There were
Trichilia claussenii
,
Cupania vernalis
and
Crysophyllum marginatum
indicator species in the G1 cluster; and
Luehea divaricata
and
Sebastiania commersoniana
in the G2 cluster. Regarding to horizontal structure, these species were
among the three most important ones in both clusters. In the understorey, the most important species were
Actinostemon concolor
,
Trichilia claussenii,
Trichilia elegans
,
Eugenia rostrifolia
and
Sorocea bonplandii
.
Since these species prevail in the tree vegetation, they are fundamental to stabilize hillsides, considering that
they are adapted to steep and shallow soil areas, pointing out the Cupania vernalis and
Trichilia claussenii
in less modified environments and the
Luehea divaricata and
Sebastiania commersoniana in environments
more susceptible to interference.