An area of terra firme dense forest in the Uatumã River basin, county of São Sebastião, Amazonas, Brazil (2º 20' 04" S and 58º 45' 26" W) was surveyed. The floristic composition, richness of species, and structural parameters of the vegetation were studied. A survey of one hectare was carried out by using a transect of 10 χ 1000 m, divided in 20 plots of 10 χ 50 m, where every individual with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 10 cm was measured, including trees, lianas and palms. The understory stratum was studied by using small plots of 2 χ 2 m, according to the size category criterion. Structural parameters were assessed through the Importance Value Index (IVI) of the species, the number of individuals per class of diameter, and the biological spectrum of the understory stratum. A total of 741 individuals (with DBH ≥ 10 cm) were recorded, distributed in 46 families, 118 genera and 145 species. Families with the greatest number of species were Leguminosae sensu lato (33), Myrtaceae (8) and Lauraceae (7), representing 33% of the total recorded individuals. Protium apiculatum and Eschweilera coriacea were the species with higher IVI (22.4 and 17.6 respectively), representing 15% of the total IVI. These two species presented more uniform distributions and greatest number of individuals in the area. The understory stratum was composed of a high proportion (28.7%) of individuals, corresponding to 25.4% of total species, which have their whole life circle in this stratum. Therefore, these species should not be included as part of forest regeneration, as practiced by many projects of forest management.
Floristics; Structure; Species richness; Amazonia; Uatumã River