Studies on plants communities over time are important to predict their reaction when faced with disturbance, and so, for conservation. This study aimed to evaluate the floristic composition, richness, diversity and tree community structure in an area of cerrado sensu stricto at Fazenda Água Limpa, Brasília, DF, over a period of 27 years. Continuous surveys were conducted in the area every three years on 19 permanent plots of 1,000 m² (20 × 50 m); during this time four fires occurred at the site. Periods of fire did not contribute to significant changes in richness and diversity for the woody community studied. Instead, it contributed to floristic and structural stability of the community, since community abundance and density changed considerably after long periods of fire exclusion. Fire suppression for longer periods than those observed may lead to significant structural and floristic changes in the community.
community dynamics; fire; NMDS; woody vegetation
