This study examined composition, structure and distribution of tree component in the montane forest in Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo State, Brazil. All trees with a trunk diameter at breast height (DBH) > 5 cm were sampled in ten 10×25 m plots stablished between 680 m and 805 m a.s.l. were recorded 517 trees. A total of 75 species, 69 genera on 40 families of vascular plants ocurred in the plots. The community structure was characterized by dominance of Euterpe edulis Mart. (51,26% of total plants), which caused a low Shannon diversity index (2,5910 nats). The forest strucutre was characterized by a high density (2,068 ind./ha) and basal area (44,36 m²/ha). This was atributed to the forest maturity, where secondary species ocurred with great trees and young individuals were absent. Species compositon varied continuously with altitude over a 125 m range, as shown by a cluster analysis. The comparison with others forest areas by use of presence × abscense data showed a higher similarity with Planalto Atlântico forests under wettest and lower mean anual temperature in the east and south of São Paulo State.
Atlantic Montane Forest; vegetation structure; tree community; forest fragment; secundary forest
