ABSTRACT
This research took place in a semi-deciduous forest fragment in secondary succession stages on Morro do Cerrito in the municipality of Santa Maria, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The aim was to determine the floristic groups in the study area by quantifying the sociology of main species and their relationship with geomorphologic and pedological compartments. Permanent plots measuring 10m2 were continuously allocated along the topographical gradient of the hill, beginning at the base and going to the top. All trees with diameter at breast equal or larger than 5 cm height were measured. Grouping analysis was performed by (Twinspan), having as variables the number of individuals of the species and characterized the sites of groups by testing in the field of geomorphological compartments and morphological and chemical analysis of soils. Three ecological groups were found evenly distributed along the gradient as a result of different successions and environmental conditions that were due mainly to the substrate, the soil classes, and landscape positions.
Keywords:
soil-plant relationship; ecological groups; forest ecology; pedology