Tai-Ma-Li Experimental Forest is located at Chinfeng Hsiang in Taitung Country, with the altitudes range from 350 m to 1450 m, and with the topical and subtopical climate. The author had set up 54 plots to investigate the composition of natural broadleaved forest. The vegetation data analyzed by detrended correspondence analysis(DCA) and two-way indicator species analysis(TWINSPAN) classified the sampling plots into four forest types: I. Machilus thunbergii¡ÐCastanopsis carlesii forest type. It was found 1040 m to 1430 m alt., and mainly at ridge or gentle slope. II. Machilus konishii¡ÐDysoxylum hongkongense forest type. It was found from 916 m to 1255 m alt., and mainly at steep slope or valley. III. Lagerstroemia subcostata¡ÐMachilus kusanoi forest type. It was found from 456 m to 860 m alt., and mainly at steep slope or valley. IV. Dendrocnide meyeniana¡ÐArdisia sieboldii forest type. It was found from 442 m to 803 m, and mainly at ridge or slope. The study results of correlations among environmental gradients and ordination axes indicated that the elevation, aspect and slope are the most important environmental factors affected the vegetation composition and distribution. Topographic position also has significant correlation with vegetation types.

Trail is a common outdoor recreation facility. The construction of trail often changes space structures of the nature and affect the vegetation of the trailside. Many studies indicated that the impact of outdoor recreation directly and indirectly change the plant species coverage and composition. A few new trails were recently established in Panping-Shan, Kaohsiung, and there is a need of environmental data for the management . However, the vegetation structure along the trail and the degree of trail construction impact were unclear. This study sampled vegetation and environmental factors along the trails in Panping-Shan, Kaohsiung. The trail in Panping-Shan has three patterns, footpath, plank and macadam. 35 large plots ¡]10*10m2¡^and 132 small plots ¡]1*1m2¡^ have been established along the trail. The data were analyzed with Two-way indicator species analysis ¡]TWINSPAN¡^and Canonical correspondence analysis ¡]CCA¡^ to seek the correlation of the vegetation composition, species distribution and the trailside environment gradient. The results show that the dominant species in Panping-Shan are Broussonetia papyrifera and Macarange tanarius, and the vegetation could be divided into four subtypes according to the indicator species; the understory vegetation could be divided into six types by TWINSPAN. The CCA result shows that the canopy coverage and the edaphic factors, soil depth and soil moisture, are the major environment factors influencing the understory vegetation. Between the different patterns of trail, there were no significant difference, but the environment of the footpath is more heterogeneous. It is suspected that the current light recreation activities and the unique geological structures made no obvious understory vegetation difference between the trailside and the forest interior.

Abstract Patterns of plant species composition and their relationships to environmental factors were investigated in Jhuokou River basin. 102, 20 ¡Ñ 20 m plots with woody stems ¡Ù1.0 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) data and 12 environmental variables were analysed by Two Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN), Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) to classify the vegetation types and determine the significant environmental variables that affect the distribution of vegetation. Classification and regression tree (CART) were then used to perform vegetation classification tree based on these significant variables. The vegetation classification result showed that 102 sampling plots can be classified into 9 vegetation types : 1. Daphniphyllum hlaucescens subsp. oldhamii - Cyclobalanopsis morii vegetation type ; 2. Neolitsea acuminatissima - Cyclobalanopsis morii vegetation type ; 3. Adinandra formosana - Lithocarpus lepidocarpus - Machilus thunbergii vegetation type ; 4. Elaeocarpus japonicus - Castanopsis cuspidate - Machilus thunbergii vegetation type ; 5. Ardisia quinquegona - Tricalysia dubia - Beilschmiedia erythrophloia vegetation type ; 6. Schefflera octophylla - Helicia formosana - Beilschmiedia erythrophloia vegetation type ; 7. Castanopsis formosana - Mallotus paniculatus - Schefflera octophylla vegetation type ; 8. Cyclobalanopsis glauca - Glochidion rubrum - Sapindus mukorossii vegetation type ; 9. Champereia manillana - Kleinhovia hospita - Murraya vegetation type. DCA and CCA distinguished 8 significant environmental variables from 12 measured variables. Altitude and warmth index were the most important variables in 8 significant environmental variables, but were highly correlated. When used vegetation classification tree to predict the position of the reference vegetation alliance, average accuracy was 56.9 %. The results indicated that the current data was still insufficient to predict the vegetation type at alliances level with environmental variables.

Pa-Chang River is in Southwestern Taiwan. It originates from Fenchihu, Alishan and flows between Chiayi County and Tainan County. Its total length is 81 kilometer and total basin area is 475 square kilometer. The natural forest communities are mostly in the upper section and fragmentarily spread in the small areas that locate between farms or in complicated topography, e.g. steep slope, area difficult to reach. It is necessary to make inventory and research about these natural forest communities now to gather sufficient vegetation data which will be served as basic reference in the future local environmental management. This study is to investigate and analyze the species composition of broad-leaved forest vegetation in the upper section of Pa-Chang River. The analysis results of the vegetation data by detrended correspondence analysis¡]DCA¡^ and two-way indicator species analysis¡]TWINSPAN¡^classified the sampling plots into four forest types: I. Litsea hypophaea forest type The range of elevation is 743~1003 m. The topographic position is mainly in ridge and upper slope. II. Ficus irisana -Dendrocnide meyeniana forest type The range of elevation is 381~825 m¡CThe topographic position is mainly in lower slope and valley. III. Machilus japonica var. kusanoi -Ficus fistulosa forest type The range of elevation is 764~1229 m¡C IV. Prunus phaeosticta forest type The range of elevation is 1559~1804 m. The topographic position is mainly in upper slope. The study of correlations among environmental gradients and ordination axes indicated that the elevation is the most important environmental factor affecting the vegetation composition and distribution. Topographic position also has obvious influence on vegetation. In addition, the study of population structure shows that regeneration is continuous in present broad-leaved forest, but the forest is also continuously disturbed by artificial activities. The area of natural forest in this area might continuously be decreased, so it is important to gather sufficient vegetation data in time.

Alpine vegetation is the plant communities above the treeline. Alpine vegetation in Taiwan, distributing throughout Central Mountains, Yushan Mountains and Sheishan Mountains, covers an area of 100 000 ha. There are about seven hundreds of vegetation literatures in Taiwan. However literatures about classification of alpine vegetation are very few. Therefore we must increase studies of alpine vegetation to understand its distribution in Taiwan more. The study selected alpine vegetation in Yushan National Park as study area and surveyed floristic composition and distribution. The vegetation sampled based on relevé method and species cover estimated using the Braun- Blanquet cover-abundance scale. Analysis methods of vegetation classification are two-way indicator species analysis, nom-metric multidimentional scaling and diagnostic species determination. We recognized seven vegetation types: Solidago virgaurea var. leiocarpa herb vegetation type, Lycopodium clavatum herb vegetation type, Scabiosa lacerifolia herb vegetation type, Pieris taiwanensis shrub vegetation type, Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum shrub vegetation type, Gentiana horaimontana rock vegetation type and Brachypodium kawakamii rock vegetation type. The classification will be helpful for Yushan National Park on management and conservation. Besides, the data will be useful for detecting the effects of climatic changes threat to alpine vegetation.

A plant ecological study was conducted in the grasslands of Transkei to develop a better understanding of the distribution, structure and composition of the plant communities found in the area. The agricultural sector in developed and rapidly developing areas of southern Africa is faced with problems like veld deterioration and the loss of natural areas that effectively contribute to the depopulation of rural areas. The Grassland Biome Project was initiated to address the problem of increased destruction of natural resources because the most suitable area for agriculture falls within the grasslands of South Africa. The aim of the Grassland Biome Project is to integrate knowledge, comprehension and expertise, which will enable scientists to forecast the results of the available options of grassland management programs. Vegetation of Transkei forms part of this project. The study area (Transkei) borders on the kingdom of Lesotho in the north and Indian Ocean in the southeast. In the northeast it borders on KwaZulu-Natal and in the northwest, and in the west on the eastern Cape Province. Relevés were compiled in 379 random sample plots and four major plant communities, namely: Bush and Grassland vegetation of drier areas, Wet and Disturbed grassland, Grassland of Undulating Areas, and Moist Grasslands on Flat Plains, were found. The vegetation was classified by means of TWINSPAN and Braun-Blanquet procedures were found. The vegetation was classified by means of TWINSPAN and Braun-Blanquet procedures. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / Unrestricted

Classification of relevé data aims to present the best possible explanation of the vegetation within a specific study area. The variety of multivariate techniques available to classify vegetation into ecological communities has developed in recent years, which contributes to uncertainty among vegetation scientists as to which methods and computer software to select for optimum classification results. The wide application of the classical TWINSPAN algorithm along with the Braun-Blanquet approach of plant community descriptions and diagnostic species identification in southern Africa prompted a comparison of classification results between these classical approaches and a modern approach. The modern approach, as being referred to in this study, entails the recent improvement on the classical TWINSPAN algorithm, namely the Modified TWINSPAN algorithm in combination with statistical measures of species fidelity. Comparisons between classification end-results were undertaken at various spatial scales to test whether discrepancies between results obtained from the different approaches are similar when applied to a broad-scale synthesis, an intermediate synthesis and a local-scale classification within a similar vegetation type, the Mopaneveld. Such a comparative study is envisaged to present insight on the credibility of the use of classical approaches in phytosociology at various spatial scales. A modern approach was tested upon three previous vegetation classification studies which followed the classical approach. These vegetation classification studies were all undertaken at different spatial scales and are being referred to as the reference classifications. The data that were subjected to the modern approach were analogous to those used in the reference classifications. The computer package JUICE 7.0 was used in which the Modified TWINSPAN algorithm was applied in combination with statistical measures of species fidelity, which was obtained as a function directly in the JUICE program. Classification hierarchies were constructed for both the classical and modern approach results to compare and describe similarities and discrepancies between the different hierarchical dendrograms. Fidelity syntables were constructed to assist in the grouping of diagnostic species according to highest fidelity values. Such diagnostic species groups were compared with the lists of diagnostic species in the reference classifications. At the broadest spatial scale, comparisons revealed discrepancies between classification results from the classical and the modern approach. The modern approach presented a more robust synthesis of the Mopaneveld in southern Africa since the vegetation units and their associated diagnostic species are ecologically better expressed. The intermediate scale synthesis comparison revealed similar discrepancies, which again question the credibility of the classical approach at broader spatial scales. The application of the modern approach to the local scale classification, however, revealed little difference with the results obtained through the classical approach. Although more alternative classification techniques need to be applied to report on the most robust technique for vegetation classifications across spatial scales, it could be reported that the classical TWINSPAN algorithm is not favorable for vegetation classifications and syntheses beyond the local scale. The ecological reliability of the modern approach at the intermediate scale prompted its application in a synthesis of the riparian vegetation within the Mopane Bioregion of South Africa, which was not achieved in any previous study. Riparian vegetation plays an important role in maintaining good water quality and also provides habitat for many species. Riparian vegetation therefore needs to be classified and described. The synthesis of the riparian vegetation in the Mopane Bioregion of South Africa revealed six distinct plant communities which are described and discussed in terms of diagnostic, constant and dominant species along with variance in plant species diversity. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Botany))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Classification of relevé data aims to present the best possible explanation of the vegetation within a specific study area. The variety of multivariate techniques available to classify vegetation into ecological communities has developed in recent years, which contributes to uncertainty among vegetation scientists as to which methods and computer software to select for optimum classification results. The wide application of the classical TWINSPAN algorithm along with the Braun-Blanquet approach of plant community descriptions and diagnostic species identification in southern Africa prompted a comparison of classification results between these classical approaches and a modern approach. The modern approach, as being referred to in this study, entails the recent improvement on the classical TWINSPAN algorithm, namely the Modified TWINSPAN algorithm in combination with statistical measures of species fidelity. Comparisons between classification end-results were undertaken at various spatial scales to test whether discrepancies between results obtained from the different approaches are similar when applied to a broad-scale synthesis, an intermediate synthesis and a local-scale classification within a similar vegetation type, the Mopaneveld. Such a comparative study is envisaged to present insight on the credibility of the use of classical approaches in phytosociology at various spatial scales. A modern approach was tested upon three previous vegetation classification studies which followed the classical approach. These vegetation classification studies were all undertaken at different spatial scales and are being referred to as the reference classifications. The data that were subjected to the modern approach were analogous to those used in the reference classifications. The computer package JUICE 7.0 was used in which the Modified TWINSPAN algorithm was applied in combination with statistical measures of species fidelity, which was obtained as a function directly in the JUICE program. Classification hierarchies were constructed for both the classical and modern approach results to compare and describe similarities and discrepancies between the different hierarchical dendrograms. Fidelity syntables were constructed to assist in the grouping of diagnostic species according to highest fidelity values. Such diagnostic species groups were compared with the lists of diagnostic species in the reference classifications. At the broadest spatial scale, comparisons revealed discrepancies between classification results from the classical and the modern approach. The modern approach presented a more robust synthesis of the Mopaneveld in southern Africa since the vegetation units and their associated diagnostic species are ecologically better expressed. The intermediate scale synthesis comparison revealed similar discrepancies, which again question the credibility of the classical approach at broader spatial scales. The application of the modern approach to the local scale classification, however, revealed little difference with the results obtained through the classical approach. Although more alternative classification techniques need to be applied to report on the most robust technique for vegetation classifications across spatial scales, it could be reported that the classical TWINSPAN algorithm is not favorable for vegetation classifications and syntheses beyond the local scale. The ecological reliability of the modern approach at the intermediate scale prompted its application in a synthesis of the riparian vegetation within the Mopane Bioregion of South Africa, which was not achieved in any previous study. Riparian vegetation plays an important role in maintaining good water quality and also provides habitat for many species. Riparian vegetation therefore needs to be classified and described. The synthesis of the riparian vegetation in the Mopane Bioregion of South Africa revealed six distinct plant communities which are described and discussed in terms of diagnostic, constant and dominant species along with variance in plant species diversity. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Botany))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

This study evaluated the phitosociology of the Mixed Rain Forest and its mechanisms of regeneration (seeding banks, seed rain and soil seed bank). The data were collected in six conglomerates, being every one subdivided in 16 parcels of 20m x 20m. In the Chapter I it was studied the adult vegetation, where the tree and shrub species with circumference at the height of the chest equal or bigger than 30 cm were identified and measured. The species were classified in ecological groups and, on the basis of the density data, it was made an analysis of the grouping using the TWINSPAR method (Two-Way Indicattor Species Analysis). The groupings were characterized in relation to their horizontal structure. On the area, they 86 species were identified, being 18 pioneers, 25 secondary initials, 16 secondary delayed, 14 climax, and 13 were classified in more than one group. Three groupings were characterized (G1, G2 nd G3), in which gained special prominence the species Siphoneugena reitzii, Araucaria angustifolia and Sebastiania commersoniana, respectively in environments of hillside, of emergent trees and humid environments. In the chapter II based in the groupings formed in the adult vegetation, it was evaluated the mechanisms of regeneration. The seed rain was evaluated during the months of January to December of 2007, by means of the disposition of 96 collectors of 1 m2, in which it was observed the significant difference among the three groups in the quantity of seeds dispersed. In the study of the soil seed bank which was held through the collect of 5 cm of ground (taking out the burlap), it was observed that the group G1 showed significant difference in the quantity of storaged seeds in relation to groups G2 and G3. Seeding banks was showed in 72 showing unities of 2 m x 2 m, in which all the individuals with a size equal or bigger than 20 cm and DAP equal or lesser than 1 cm were identified and counted. The statistic analysis showed that, quantitatively, there was a significant difference among the three groups in relation to numbers of individuals in the seeding bank. For the joint analyses of the adult vegetation and mechanisms of regeneration, it is concluded, initially that the seeding bank, for having presented a bigger similarity with the vegetation, it can be the principal strategy of the maintenance of this forest. The seed rain is a basic strategy to the maintenance of the seeding bank. The seed bank didn´t present a flower potential for substituting the species present in the tree vegetation after alteration of the forest, being an essential strategy to the initial reestablishment of the area., due to the high density of the herbaceous plants. It was considered as tree basic species Araucaria angustifolia, Siphoneugena reitzii, llex brevicuspis, Podocarpus lambertii e Vernonia discolor, in hillside environments; Araucaria angustifolia, Casearia decandra, Blepharocalyx salicifolius, llex paraguariensis and Sebastiania brasiliensis in emergent tree environments; Araucaria angustifolia, Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Cryptocarya aschersoniana, llex brevicuspis, Sebastiania commersoinana e Siphoneugena reitzii in lands of bigger moistness. Through these informations one gives credit that such species will have greater possibility of stablishment in places with similar environment characteristics. / Este estudo avaliou a fitossociologia de Floresta Ombrófila Mista e os seus mecanismos de regeneração (banco de plântulas, chuva de sementes e banco de sementes do solo). Os dados foram coletados em seis conglomerados, sendo cada um subdividido em 16 parcelas de 20 m x 20 m. No Capítulo I, estudou-se a vegetação adulta onde as espécies arbóreas e arbustivas com circunferência à altura do peito (CAP) igual ou maior de 30 cm foram identificadas e medidas. As espécies foram classificadas em grupos ecológicos e, com base nos dados de densidade, foi realizada uma análise de agrupamento utilizando o método TWINSPAN (Two-way Indicator Species Analysis). Os agrupamentos foram caracterizados em relação à sua estrutura horizontal. Na área, foram identificadas 86 espécies, sendo 18 pioneiras, 25 secundárias iniciais, 16 secundárias tardias, 14 clímax, e 13 foram classificadas em mais de um grupo. Foram caracterizados três agrupamentos (G1, G2 e G3), em que se destacaram as espécies Siphoneugena reitzii, Araucaria angustifolia e Sebastiania commersoniana, respectivamente, em ambientes de encosta, de árvores emergentes e úmido. No capítulo II, partindo dos agrupamentos formados na vegetação adulta, foram avaliados os mecanismos de regeneração. A chuva de sementes foi avaliada durante os meses de janeiro a dezembro de 2007 por meio da disposição de 96 coletores de 1 m², na qual foi observada diferença significativa entre os três grupos na quantidade de sementes dispersadas. No estudo do banco de sementes do solo, realizado mediante a coleta de 5 cm de solo (retirando a serapilheira), observou-se que o grupo G1 demonstrou diferença significativa na quantidade de sementes estocadas em relação aos grupos G2 e G3. O banco de plântulas foi amostrado em 72 unidades amostrais de 2 m x 2 m, em que todos os indivíduos com altura igual ou maior que 20 cm e DAP igual ou menor 1 cm foram identificados e contados. A análise estatística mostrou que, quantitativamente, houve diferença significativa entre os três grupos quanto ao número de indivíduos no banco de plântulas. Pela análise conjunta da vegetação adulta e mecanismos de regeneração, conclui-se, inicialmente, que o banco de plântulas, por ter apresentado maior similaridade com a vegetação, pode ser a estratégia principal de manutenção dessa floresta. A chuva de sementes é uma estratégia fundamental à manutenção do banco de plântulas. O banco de sementes não apresentou potencial florístico para substituir as espécies presentes na vegetação arbórea após alteração da floresta, sendo uma estratégia essencial ao restabelecimento inicial da área, dada a elevada densidade de plantas herbáceas. Foram consideradas como espécies arbóreas fundamentais Araucaria angustifolia, Siphoneugena reitzii, Ilex brevicuspis, Podocarpus lambertii e Vernonia discolor, em ambientes de encosta; Araucaria angustifolia, Casearia decandra, Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Ilex paraguariensis e Sebastiania brasiliensis, em ambiente de arvores emergentes; Araucaria angustifolia, Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Cryptocarya aschersoniana, Ilex brevicuspis, Sebastiania commersoniana e Siphoneugena reitzii em terrenos de maior umidade. Por meio dessas informações, acredita-se que tais espécies terão maior chance de estabelecimento em locais com características ambientais semelhantes.

These studies were undertaken in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, in the area of Chapada dos Guimarães and Baixada Cuiabana, which are constituted of a high plateau and a big low plain, respectively, being limited to two areas covered by vegetation with a savannic physiognomy, type Cerrado stricto sensu. Considering the hypothesis that the knowledge both of the biotic and abiotic components of the scenery and their interrelations allows a better understanding of the environmental dynamic, this dissertation had as objectives to characterize the savanna communities' arboreal stratum floristically and phytosociologically, concerning their richness, phytosociological structures and diversity; to identify floristic groupings through varied statistical techniques, representing them by dendrograms; to select species which are really able to make discrimination among the groups; to obtain some discriminant functions to allow classification and reclassification of specimen units, in the groups, to which they have more probability of belonging; to analyze and to characterize the obtained groups; to determine the patterns of distribution of the species of trees by the analysis of correlations of environmental variables with the distribution of the species and plots in the communities being studied; to determine the similarity indexes among the floristic groups and to compare themselves and, finally, to test methods of assorted statistical analysis for application in studies of vegetable communities. Data of vegetation were obtained by the method of multiple plots, with size of 20 X 20 m (400 m2), randomly disposed in each one of the areas being studied. 82 plots were randomly installed. In each one of the 82 patternless units, the circumferences of all the arboreal plants with perimeter to 0,30 m from the level of the soil (PAB) larger or equal to 15,7 cm (DAB 5,0 cm) and the total height of the plants were obtained. In the core of each plot, for determination of the chemical and textural variables of the soil, simple samples of superficial soil were collected (0-30 cm depth). Species were organized according to the families recognized by Angiosperm Phylogeny Group II. The sampling sufficiency was obtained based on the analysis of the curve of the collector. Phytosociological parameters were calculated for each formed group, with the purpose of characterizing them phytosociologically. Having as variables the Index of Covering Value (IVC) of the species, the classification was accomplished by the TWINSPAN (Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis) method, regarding the plots, with the objective of classifying them in floristic groups. The diversity was determined by the Shannon-Wienner and the Simpson Index. The discriminant analysis was undertaken through the STEPWISE method. Considering the matrix of presence and absence of the species in the groups, the floristic similarity was calculated among the groups by the Sorensen Index. To evaluate the hypothesis of the correlation existence between the distribution of the species and environmental variables, the canonical correspondence analysis was accomplished (CCA). The test of permutation of Monte Carlo was applied to verify the importance of the correlations between the emerging distribution patterns of the species and the environmental variables in final CCA. To determine the responsible environmental factors for the distribution of the species, the analysis of regression logistics was used. The Forward Stepwise (Wald) method was used for the sequential selection of the variables. By the species-area curve, it could be observed that, from the plot 75 (30.000 m2 out of the area used as sample), the curve is stabilized with the occurrence of 114 species in the 82 studied plots, distributed between 81 genera and 36 botanical families. The families better represented were Fabaceae, Myrtaceae and Vochysiaceae. The alpha diversity from the arboreal vegetation found in the area being studied was of 4,033 considering the Shannon-Wiener Index and of 0,975 considering the Simpson Index, representing a great floristic diversity. The divisions generated by the classification through the TWINSPAN method separated the plots into four groups: Group 1 Myrcia albo-tomentosa Camb. Association; Group 2 Pterodon emarginatus Vog. Association ; Group 3 Curatella americana L. Association; and Group 4 Qualea multiflora Mart. Association. In the discriminant analysis, 100% of the plots were classified correctly in the Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, indicating precision of the grouping technique used. The largest similarity could be observed in the Groups 2 and 3, whose Sorensen Index was close to 1 (0,7310). In the four floristic groups, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Vochysiaceae, Annonaceae and Apocynaceae families were the most representative floristically in terms of genera and species. In CCA the correlations of the environmental variables with the first ordination axis were, in decreasing order of absolute values, saturation for aluminum, altitude s.n.m., saturation of bases, saturation for magnesium, relationship magnesium/potassium, saturation for hydrogen, potassium tenor, pH(H2O) and relationship calcium/potassium. The saturation for calcium variable presented very weak correlation with the first axis, however, with the second ordination axis, it was very strong. In the diagram of ordination of the plots, the four floristic groups were discriminated in sections different from the diagram, reinforcing their visualization as much defined habitats and with composition of particular species, resulting in clear separation of the four soil classes previously identified. The logistic regression analysis was useful to prove the results obtained from CCA, concerning the environmental variables which determined the distribution of the indicative species of the floristic groups in the studied communities. / Estes estudos foram desenvolvidos no estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil, na região de Chapada dos Guimarães e Baixada Cuiabana, que compreendem, respectivamente, um alto platô e uma grande planície baixa, restringindo-se a duas áreas cobertas por vegetação com fisionomia savânica do tipo Cerrado stricto sensu. Partindo-se da hipótese de que o conhecimento tanto dos componentes bióticos e abióticos da paisagem como de suas inter-relações permite um melhor entendimento da dinâmica ambiental, o presente estudo teve como objetivos caracterizar o estrato arbóreo das comunidades de savana estudadas, florística e fitossociologicamente, quanto a riqueza, estrutura fitossociológica e diversidade; identificar agrupamentos florísticos, por meio de técnicas estatísticas multivariadas, representando-os por meio de dendrograma; selecionar espécies com poder real de discriminação entre os grupos; obter funções discriminantes que permitam classificar e reclassificar unidades amostrais, nos grupos, para os quais têm maior probabilidade de pertencerem; analisar e caracterizar os grupos obtidos; determinar os padrões de distribuição das espécies de árvores, por meio da análise de correlações de variáveis ambientais com a distribuição das espécies e parcelas nas comunidades estudadas; determinar os índices de similaridade entre os grupos florísticos obtidos e compará-los; e testar métodos de análise estatística multivariada para aplicação em estudos de comunidades vegetais. Os dados da vegetação foram obtidos empregando-se o método de parcelas múltiplas, com tamanho de 20 X 20 m (400 m2), dispostas aleatoriamente em cada uma das áreas de estudos. Foram instaladas aleatoriamente 82 parcelas. Em cada uma das 82 unidades amostrais, foram obtidas as circunferências de todos as plantas arbóreas com perímetro a 0,30 m do nível do solo (PAB) maior ou igual a 15,7 cm (DAB  5,0 cm), e a altura total das plantas. No centro de cada parcela, para determinação das variáveis químicas e texturais do solo, coletaram-se amostras simples de solo superficial (0-30 cm de profundidade). As espécies foram organizadas de acordo com as famílias reconhecidas pelo Angiosperm Phylogeny Group II. A suficiência de amostragem foi obtida com base na análise da curva do coletor. Os parâmetros fitossociológicos foram calculados para cada grupo formado, com a finalidade de caracterizá-los fitossociológicamente. Tendo como variáveis o Índice de Valor de Cobertura (IVC) das espécies, foi realizada a classificação, por meio do método TWINSPAN (Two-Way Indicator Species Analisys), com relação às parcelas, com o objetivo de classificá-las em grupos florísticos. A diversidade foi determinada por meio do Índice de Shannon-Wienner e de Simpson. Realizou-se a análise discriminante por meio do método STEPWISE. A partir da matriz de presença e ausência das espécies nos grupos, foi calculada a similaridade florística entre os grupos, por meio do Índice de Sorensen. Para avaliar a hipótese da existência de correlação entre a distribuição das espécies e variáveis ambientais, foi realizada a análise de correspondência canônica (CCA). Foi aplicado o teste de permutação de Monte Carlo para verificar a significância das correlações entre os padrões de distribuição emergentes das espécies e as variáveis ambientais na CCA final. Para determinar os fatores ambientais responsáveis pela distribuição das espécies, foi utilizada a análise de regressão logística. À seleção seqüencial das variáveis foi utilizado o método Forward Stepwise (Wald). Pela curva espécie-área, pode-se observar que, a partir da parcela 75 (30.000 m2 da área amostrada), a curva estabiliza-se com a ocorrência de 114 espécies nas 82 parcelas estudadas, distribuídas entre 81 gêneros e 36 famílias botânicas. As famílias mais bem representadas foram Fabaceae, Myrtaceae e Vochysiaceae. A diversidade alfa da vegetação arbórea encontrada na área estudada foi de 4,033 pelo índice de Shannon-Wiener e de 0,975 pelo de Simpson, indicando alta diversidade florística. As divisões geradas pela classificação por meio do método TWINSPAN separaram as parcelas em quatro grupos. Grupo 1 - Associação Myrcia albo-tomentosa Camb.; Grupo 2 - Associação Pterodon emarginatus Vog.; Grupo 3 - Associação Curatella americana L.; e Grupo 4 - Associação Qualea multiflora Mart.. Na análise discriminante, observou-se que 100% das parcelas foram classificadas corretamente nos grupos 1, 2, 3 e 4, indicando precisão da técnica de agrupamento utilizada. A maior similaridade se deu entre os grupos 2 e 3, cujo índice de Sorensen foi próximo de 1 (0,7310). Nos quatro grupos florísticos obtidos, as famílias Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Vochysiaceae, Annonaceae e Apocynaceae foram as mais representativas florísticamente em número de gêneros e espécies. Na CCA, as correlações das variáveis ambientais com o primeiro eixo de ordenação foram, em ordem decrescente de valores absolutos, saturação por alumínio, altitude s.n.m., saturação de bases, saturação por magnésio, relação magnésio/potássio, saturação por hidrogênio, teor de potássio, pH(H2O) e relação cálcio/potássio. A variável saturação por cálcio apresentou correlação muito fraca com o primeiro eixo, entretanto, com o segundo eixo de ordenação, foi muito forte. No diagrama de ordenação das parcelas, os quatro grupos florísticos foram discriminados em setores diferentes do diagrama, reforçando a visualização dos mesmos como hábitats bem definidos e com composição de espécies particular, resultando em clara separação das quatro classes de solo identificadas previamente. A análise de regressão logística comprovou os resultados obtidos da CCA, em relação às variáveis ambientais que determinaram a distribuição das espécies indicadoras dos grupos florísticos nas comunidades estudadas.