XVI International Botanical Congess

This study aimed at assessing the changes in tree community structure and composition along an altitudinal gradient in the Serra do Mar State Park, São Paulo, Brazil (44°48'W, 23°22'S). A survey of trees and soils was carried out in plots (total area 2.34 ha) distributed from 2 to 1000 m of altitude. All sampled trees (dbh > 5.0 cm) were identified and measured. A total of 4366 trees, 301 species were recorded. Species diversity was lowest at the coastal plain and greatest at 300 m of altitude. Multivariate analyses indicated that the tree community did follow an altitudinal gradient with the most floristically distinct sections occurring at the coastal plain and 1000 m. It is suggested that several environmental factors of both edaphic and climatic nature are probably involved in the altitudinal gradient.