African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6932

Full Length Research Paper

Vegetation structure of naturally occurring areas of mangaba Hancornia speciosa Gomes in the mid-north region of Brazil

Larissa de Paula Viana da Silva
  • Larissa de Paula Viana da Silva
  • Agroecology Graduate Program, Maranhão State University, Campus São Luis, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Ariadne Enes Rocha
  • Ariadne Enes Rocha
  • Agronomy and Plant Health Department, Maranhão State University, Campus São Luis, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Jose Ribamar Gusmao Araujo
  • Jose Ribamar Gusmao Araujo
  • Agronomy and Plant Health Department, Maranhão State University, Campus São Luis, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Regila Martins dos Reis
  • Regila Martins dos Reis
  • Agronomy Department, Maranhão State University, Campus São Luis, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Francisca Helena Muniz
  • Francisca Helena Muniz
  • Biology and Chemistry Department, Maranhão State University, Campus São Luis, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Mario Luiz Ribeiro Mesquita*
  • Mario Luiz Ribeiro Mesquita*
  • Agronomy Department, Maranhão State University, Campus Bacabal, Brazil.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 01 May 2016
  •  Accepted: 26 July 2016
  •  Published: 11 August 2016

Abstract

The unknown potential of the mangaba Hancornia speciosa naturally occurring areas in the mid-north region of Brazil has raised the risk of its extinction and contributed to its underutilization. The objective of this study was to characterize the vegetation structure with naturally occurring mangaba in Recanto, Patizal and Recurso, villages in Morros municipality, State of Maranhão to provide the species proper utilization and conservation. The floristic composition was determined by the quadrants method. Two individuals were selected per quadrant, an adult and regenerating. The phytosociological parameters computed were Relative Density, Frequency and Dominance, Importance Value, Cover Value, the Shannon and Weaver Diversity Index and the Sorensen Similarity Index. The species H. speciosa reached relevant position in all computed parameters in the three sampled villages with importance values varying from 25.15 to 29.38% for the regenerating and from 29 to 56.64% for the adult strata, indicating the species relative ecological importance. 

Key words: Diversity, Savannah-Restinga transition, phytosociology.

Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

Back to Vol. 11 No. 32
Back to articles
SUBSCRIBE TO RSS
SUBMIT MANUSCRIPT
CONFERENCES