PALMS RICHNESS AND SELECTIVITY THROUGHOUT ENVIRONMENTAL GRADIENTS ON PURUS-MADEIRA INTERFLUVIAL REGION, PORTO VELHO-RO, BRAZIL

This study aimed to evaluate environmental gradients influence on richness and selectivity of Palm (Arecaceae) species in a section of Purus-Madeira interfluvial region, Cuniã Ecological Station, in Porto Velho – Rondônia, Brazil. It hás been used RAPELD sampling method. 48 plots were studied in a 25km2 area, being 30 plots in Terra Firme and 18 riparians. It was identified a comunity composed of 49 species distributed in 11 genres. Cluster similarity analysis (Twinspan ordenation method) were used to verify preferential species according to local conditions. Sorensen and Twinspan similarity analysis indicates response from species to soil type variation and water distance, some species occuring only at hidromorphic soils. Results show that site Palms richness and selectivity are determined in part by soil inclination, type and humidity, existing selectivity internal gradients inside and between sampling plots which evidence its strong influence on site palms richness. Keywords: Arecaceae; palms; environmental factors; Amazon; vegetation distribution