Landforms and soil attributes determine the vegetation structure in the Brazilian semiarid

摘要: The semiarid region of Brazil consists a great variety landscapes, soils and vegetation forms, with complex interrelations. In order to better understand this interplay, we posed two questions: Are there greater pedological similarities among the different landforms same catena or from catenas? Which soil attributes could be most important segregate communities plants? We sampled on in four catenas performed NMS (non-metric multidimensional scaling) ANOVA (analysis variance) address first question; also, carried another following GLM (general linear model regression) answer second question. indicated existence fertility gradient, grouping relation similar landforms, confirmed by ANOVA. gradient whereas showed that is controlled aluminum saturation, sodium phosphorous sand content. One extreme has uplands associated cerrado forms other slopes were dry forests. lowlands forest represent central position gradient. general, at similarity, their physico-chemical determined formation structure vegetation. This similarity across landform refers comparable each age landscape scale. characteristics Brazilian southern previously wetter climate, during which deep weathered latosols (oxisols) formed remain as relics present semiarid.