A survey of the tree community was conducted for an upland semideciduous riparian forest, located on the upper Rio Pardo, Santa Rita de Caldas, Minas Gerais (1156 to 1203 m altitude), in order to evaluate structural variation and environmental variables associated with the substrate. Density, basal area, tree size distribution and floristic composition were evaluated. In 25 10x40 m plots, all trees with dbh > 5 cm were sampled, topographical aspects were determined and soil samples were collected for chemical and textural analyses. A total of 2982 individuals from 50 families, 78 genera and 110 species were recorded. A sequence of three soil subgroups (Organosoil, Melanic Gleisoil and Haplic Gleisoil) was registered in a downstream direction. Floristic composition and structure the tree community was different from other swamp and alluvial forests of southern and southeastern Brazil, at lower altitudes. Canonical correspondence analysis detected a tree-species distribution gradient correlated mainly with clay content and elevation variation.
montane swamp forest; riparian forest; soil
