Variability of a vegetation in Caatinga areas in the Northeast of Brazil

The objective of this study was to characterize the variability of a native vegetation of Caatinga (7o23'30 "S and 36o31'59" W) in five areas, two of which were used for animal grazing. A floristic survey was carried out using the parcel method with systematic distribution. A phytosociological survey was carried out in which the following indices were obtained: equability, similarity, dominance and diversity for data evaluation. The predominant species were: P. pyramidalis, A. pyrifolium, P. gounellei, C. sonderianus and J. molíssima for all the study areas. Areas 1 and 2 presented 46% of Fabaceae family taxa. The diversity and richness of families and species found in the study areas were low with a dominant presence of P. pyramidalis species.