No abstract

This study investigated the current Leguminosae tree species composition in coastal forests over lithosoil soil or sandy plains in the eastern and central portion of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. A comparative study between the Atlantic Forest areas of the Southeast Region of Brazil was conducted to evaluate the influence of environmental variables on floristic differentiation. A total of 34 areas of the Southeast Region was selected from the NeoTropTree platform and the Leguminosae species in these areas were the basis for a similarity analysis. The Jaccard Similarity Index and the UPGMA method were applied for grouping analysis. The relationships between the Leguminosae species composition and the environmental variables were investigated via Cannonical Correspondance Analysis (CCA). The cluster analysis showed that the Leguminosae tree species group of this portion of Rio de Janeiro coastline share floristic affinity with seasonal forests, a result confirmed by CCA. This floristic differentiation is sustained by an exclusive group of Leguminosae species established over lithosoils or sandy plains, and signals that the extent of dry forests in Rio de Janeiro state might be larger than currently stated. The results justify distinct conservation actions in view of the floristic singularities of these areas.

No abstract

In the present study a specific and comprehensive analysis of the arboreal flora of Ilha Grande, located in the municipality of Angra dos Reis, on the southern coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is presented. Unpublished data and contributions from studies already carried out at the site that investigated issues related to the composition and richness of tree species, the degree of threat, endemism and the history of occupation and/or changes in land use were gathered and analyzed. This study is part of the PPBio Mata Atlântica – Programa de Pesquisa em Biodiversidade (Biodiversity Research Program) which, through phytosociological inventories of the tree component, has been contributing, since 2010, to the increase in the floristic knowledge of Ilha Grande. The inventory identified 509 tree species, belonging to 220 genera and 74 families. Of these, 34 species were categorized as threatened, two of which are critically endangered, 18 are endangered and 14 are vulnerable. 53 exotic tree species were indicated. The results presented here reinforce the importance of these inventories as indispensable tools for the construction of strategies and actions for conservation, restoration and management of diversity in the context of the Atlantic Forest.