ABSTRACT
The objectives of this study were: to compare and to apply indices that quantify diversity, equability and similarity in the studied area; to identify possible diversity gradients, and to apply multivariate analysis to create dendrograms of similarity. The studied area was composed of 20 native forest fragments sited in riparian permanent preservation areas along the basin of São Francisco River, in Minas Gerais. The diversity presented a large variation according to all indices: Shannon: 2,176 to 4,389; Simpson: 0,019 to 0,206; Mixture quotient: 0,029 to 0,166, Equability 0,625 to 0,875. The floristic similarity among fragments using the Jaccard and Simpson quotients formed 5 and 4 floristic groups, respectively, with a cut level of 25%.
Keywords:
Brazil; riparian forest; richness