Influence of fire on woody vegetation of savanna and forest formations in the Cerrado biome

Wildfires have environmental, economic, and social impacts, and can shape the landscape and benefit ecosystems such as the Cerrado. This study evaluated the diversity, similarity, and floristic and structural differences of woody savanna and forest formations of the Cerrado, when affected and not affected by fire. Twenty-eight 25–400 m2 plots were randomly allocated and divided into Burnt Cerrado and Unburnt Cerrado, Burnt Forest, and Unburnt Forest, and divided into three levels of inclusion according to diameter class (smaller than 2 cm, 2–5 cm and larger than 5 cm). Species were identified, DBH and height measured, and phytosociological parameters such as volume, diversity, and floristic similarity evaluated. Burnt Cerrado had lower diversity, density, and dominance at all inclusion levels compared to the Unburnt Cerrado, and showed similarities between treatments at the inclusion levels. Burnt Forest had smaller differences in diversity, density, and dominance than Unburnt Forest. Forest formation was similar at level 1 of inclusion and in the total area. However, it was dissimilar at lower levels. The lower density and diversity of species at the lowest levels of inclusion was associated with mortality from fire.