Phyto-sociological survey of herbaceous vegetation in areas altered by agriculture and cattle raising in the Middle Rio Doce Valley , Minas Gerais State

Phyto-sociological survey of herbaceous vegetation in areas altered by agriculture and cattle raising in the Middle Rio Doce Valley, Minas Gerais State, Brazil Five microbasin areas (located in Governador Valadares, Mutum, Resplendor, São Geraldo do Baixio and Taparuba) in the hydrographic net of the Middle Rio Doce Valley, Minas Gerais State, Brasil, were selected in order to characterize phyto-sociologically herbaceous plants from their re-establishing areas. A total of 62 species were identified and distributed in 20 families, mainly the Poaceae, Asteraceae and Malvaceae. Variation in species distribution was high among areas, with the highest richness recorded in the municipality of Resplendor. The species showing higher performance were Pyrostegia venusta and Baccharis trinervis. The greatest similarity was found between the municipalities of São Geraldo do Baixio and Governador Valadares (36.36%). Results showed marked discrepancy among the areas caused mainly by agricultural occupation, suggesting a different recuperation management for each microbasin.