(What are the campos rupestres and the campos de altitude in the eastern Brazilian mountaintops?). The campos rupestres and the campos de altitude from eastern Brazil occur in the mountaintops of the Espinhaço Range, Serra da Mantiqueira and Serra do Mar. Since there is some confusion on the characterization and about geographical limits of both vegetation types, the aim of this paper is to present a review of opinions about on those open environments, with discussions on the history of their nomenclature, physiognomic aspects and biogeographical affinities. Although the campos rupestres and the campos de altitude present some physiognomic and floristic similarities, both should be considered distinct vegetation types.
mountain biodiversity; phytogeography; phytophysiognomy