Floristic and phytosociological studies have been carried out in the Atlantic Forest, part of them in fragments of Semideciduous Forests. However, in the overall, the forests in the Espinhaço Range have been poorly studied. The aim here was to survey and analyze the tree species composition and structure of an area of seasonal forest on the eastern edge of the Serra do Cipó, on the meridional portion of the Espinhaço Range (MG). The quadrant-point method was used for phytosociological sampling and the total floristic surveying was increased by non-systematic collection. Besides the importance value index, the total basal area and the relative values of density, frequency and dominance were calculated. The total floristic survey registered 280 species, thereby emphasizing the richness of the area which has some similarity with forest areas located in the Doce and Paraíba do Sul basins. The phytosociological parameters showed the predominance of pioners and initial successional species which, as well as the structure-values, indicated a forest in the initial to intermediate state of regeneration. The data of this work highlighted the importance of conservation of the semideciduous forests of the Atlantic Forest, particularly in the eastern edge of the Espinhaço Range.
conservation; phytosociology; floristic; Atlantic Forest; Campo Rupestre
