The aim of this work was to determine if tree species distribution and density in the area surrounding Carioca Lake in Rio Doce State Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil (19º48'18" - 19º29'S and 42º38' - 42º28'18"W) were correlated with soil factors and to designate species for the recovery of riverine forests. Two blocks of 50 plots, 10×10 m each, were set up, one on a steep slope and the other on a gentle slope. All trees with trunk circumference at 130 cm above ground (cbh) equal to or greater than 15 cm were sampled. A total of 10 composite soil samples formed by 10 single samples were collected at 0-20 cm depth. These were submitted to chemical and granulometric analysis and moisture content was calculated. The ordination of soil and vegetation data was done by the canonic correspondence analysis (CCA) which showed that soil and drainage factors were responsible for species ordination. The species Xylopia emarginata Mart., Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess., Tapirira guianensis Aubl., Tabebuia chrysotricha (Mart. ex Dc.) Standl., Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchal and Cecropia hololeuca Miq. occurred only in degraded riverine areas and were recommended for riverine reforestation, since they are very hardy and prefer moist environments.
CCA; soil-vegetation relationship; riverine forest
