The cerrado covers about 23% of the Brazilian territory, and 70% of the cerrado area is stricto sensu physiognomy. To promote a better understanding of its physiognomic structure the cerrado s.s. study is of vital importance. Therefore, five plots (10×25m) were established in one hectare area of cerrado s.s. and all vascular plants with stem perimeter at ground level ³ 3cm (except vines and dead individuals) were sampled. The distribution of diameter classes and vertical structure, as well as the phytosociological parameters were analyzed. We recorded 1,747 individuals, distributed in 75 species belonging to 31 different families were sampled. The absolute density and the basal area were 13,976 ind.ha-1 and 4,902m², respectively. Leguminosae showed the highest number of species (16). The species Anadenanthera falcata (Benth.) Altschul, Myrcia guianensis (Aubl.) DC., Xylopia aromatica (Lm.) Mart., Ouratea spectabilis (Mart.) Engl. and Pouteria ramiflora (Mart.) Radlk. showed the highest VI. The Shannon's Index was 3,623. The distribution of diameter classes showed a curve in reverted-"J", most of the individuals being in the first class. There were no well defined vegetation strata, showing most of the individuals between 1 and 3m in height.
cerrado; phytosociology; physiognomy; vertical structure; diameter classes
