Structure and Use of a Rocky Cerrado in Northeastern Brazil: Does the Ecological Appearancy Hypothesis Explain this Relationship?
Tony C. S. Oliveira *
University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
Vanessa F. S. Sousa
Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brazil.
Valdemir F. Silva
Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Ruth R. S. Farias
Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brazil.
Ivanilza M. Andrade
Federal University of Parnaíba Delta, Parnaiba, Piauí, Brazil.
Antonio A. J. F. Castro
Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterize the vegetation structure of a low-altitude rupestrian Cerrado in the state of Piauí and to evaluate its economic exploitation by the population. The research was developed in the Castelo do Piauí. Vegetation sampling was performed by the Minimum Phytosociological Assessment Protocol (MPAP). The phytosociological parameters were obtained through the Software R. The use of the species was surveyed through interviews with the community, after which the value of use was analyzed and the hypothesis of the ecological appearancy was tested. In all 73.7% of the species found are useful for the community and the timber category was the most prominent. The hypothesis of the ecological appearancy showed a negative relation between the use and some phytosociological parameters.
Keywords: Biodiversity, potentiality, ethnobotany