Structural characterization of natural vegetation of mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa Gomes) in the Middle North of Brazil

Abstract

The unknown potential of the natural areas of Hancornia speciosa in the Northeast has increased
the risks of extinction of the species and contributed to its underutilization. The objective of
this work was to characterize the vegetation structure with natural occurrence of mangabeiras.
The work took place in the settlement Patizal, Morros-MA, whose floristic composition was determined
by the quadrant method.The phytosociological parameters determined were: Density,
Frequency and Dominance Relative, Importance and Coverage Value, Shannon and Weaver´s
Diversity Index and Sorensen´s Similarity Index. For all the phytosociological parameters H.
speciosa reached a relevant position, with Importance Value of 29.30% for the regenerating
stratum and 57.56% for the adult stratum. It is noteworthy that despite the low diversity of species
in Patizal, the high Sorensen Similarity Index (65%) suggests stability of the vegetation
with a natural occurrence of mangabeira in Morros-MA.