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.