The Araucaria forest in the region of Campos Gerais in Paraná is naturally fragmented, and is found in patches (capões) or along watercourses. The goal of this study was to characterize the structure of these fragments and to evaluate correlations between species distribution and soil variables in Parque Estadual do Guartelá, in the Tibagy municipality (24°39'10"S, 50°15'25"W). Fifty 10x10m plots were allocated, which were distributed in capões of different sizes and in the forest that follow the Iapó River, and all individuals were sampled that were > 3m tall. A high number of species (140) and diversity (H'=4.17) values were found; much higher than those related to Mixed Ombrophylous Forest. The evaluation of the composition and structure revealed a flora of transition between the Mixed Ombrophylous Forest and Semideciduous Seasonal Forest, with a greater similarity with the latter, something that is possibly influenced by the climate. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) identified various textures and acidity related to the distribution of abundance of the species, and revealed two distinct groups: one shaped by the plots distributed in the patches (capões), which was strongly related to the texture of the soil; and the other by the plots allocated in the gallery forest, which was associated mainly with nutrient availability.
"Campos Gerais do Paraná"; canonical correspondence analysis; Mixed Ombrophylous Forest; tree community
