Soil texture and fertility determine the beta diversity of plant species in veredas in Central Brazil

Understanding the correlation between soil properties, species composition and diversity in veredas (Brazilian savanna palm swamps) can provide insights for managing this unique endangered environment. We evaluated relationships distribution of herbaceous, subshrub, shrub physicochemical properties 21 vereda sites (315 10-m transects) Central Brazil. Our results showed high floristic alpha beta studied significant differences veredas. The proportion exclusive ranged from 4 to 38%, indicating that plant is mosaic-like. Vereda soils were acidic, with levels aluminum, organic matter, sand, but low phosphorus, magnesium, calcium. Soil pH, cation saturation, sand important understanding veredas’ (86% variation) richness (63%). Phosphorus pH positively correlated richness, whereas matter was negatively correlated. Organic compositional similarity, phosphorus Veredas had fertility soils. some variables being key drivers assembling significantly diverse herbaceous-shrub communities these wetland islands surrounded by a dry matrix Cerrado savanna.