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Abstract

The distribution of tree species along the flood gradient was studied on a transect through a levee at the Cassange River, tributary of the Cuiabá River near Poconé. 31 species were detected that formed 8 communities separated by simple Euclidean Distance Coefficient and Unweighted Pair-Group Method using Arithmetic Averages (UPGMA). An analysis of the flood tolerance of 85 most common tree species occurring in the Pantanal of Poconé, including data from other studies indicate that 30% are restricted to dry habitats, 65% have a wide range of distribution, and only 5% are restricted to habitats subjected to long-term flooding. It is assumed that pluriannual pronounced dry and wet periods favor species that tolerate a wide variety of hydrological conditions. Highly flood adapted species, which are very frequent in the Amazon River floodplain are rare in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso because they do not tolerate pronounced dry periods