In this paper we describe tree community structure and composition of a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest in São Francisco de Paula National Forest, Rio Grande do Sul, using both traditional phytosociological analyses and plot-based rarefaction methods. Data were collected in 29 1 Ox 10 m plots. Results are presented according to the inclusion criteria of diameter at breast height (dbh) of 5.0 cm and 10.0 cm, through sample-based rarefaction curves and non-parametric richness estimators, in order to make quantitative comparisons with other studies valid in the future. Considering individuals with minimum dbh > 5.0 cm, there were 41 species (Shannon-Wiener (H’) = 1.15 nat.ind') distributed in 32 genera and 18 families. There were 35 species with minimum dbh > 10.0 cm (Shannon-Wiener (H’) = 1.22 nat.ind-1) distributed in 26 genera and 17 families. Araucaria angustifolia was the dominant species according to both inclusion criteria. The non-parametric richness estimators yielded minimum estimates of species richness for the whole community varying from 41.1 to 48.7 species (dbh > 5,0 cm) and from 35.4 to 47.4 species (dbh > 10,0 cm). Dueto the analytical approach we used, these results can be directly compared to results obtained in other studies and presented in similar analytical ways, which is not possible in the majority of related results reported in Brazil.
Atlantic forest; non-parametric estimators of species richness; phytosociology; rarefaction; Serra Geral
