Fire is a recurrent disturbance in many areas of Chapada Diamantina, generally set by human activity that drives rapid changes in communities. This study aims to investigate the composition and structure of 'campo rupestre' vegetation in a recently burned area, between 700 and 800 m above sea level, at Chapada Diamantina National Park, Bahia, Brazil, and to discuss the strategies of regeneration for the most conspicuous species and floristic similarities among sites with and without recent fire disturbance. A species census of all vascular plants in 16 plots (10x10 m) was performed, and species cover was estimated in five subplots (2x2 m). 85 species were found, distributed among 34 families, including 11 monocotyledons, 22 eudicotyledons and one monilophyte. The most abundant specie was Panicum trinii Kunth (Poaceae) and the most frequent was Periandra mediterranea (Vell.) Taub (Fabaceae). The Shannon index was 3.4. The study area grouped with a rocky area at lower altitudes (38% similarity). Probably, fire is more frequent in these areas than on hill summits. The main dominant species resprouted from underground buds and from aerial organs. One of the most frequent species, Dactylaena microphylla Eichler, was established from seed. Fire-sensitive endemic species survive on vegetation islands on rocky outcrops.
disturbance; diversity; fire; floristics and structure
