ABSTRACT. Effects of environmental degradation on Odonata community of Atlantic Forest streams from Minas Gerais, Brazil. The effect of riparian deforestation and stream impoundments on an odonate community was studied in areas of surviving Atlantic forest in Viçosa and in Rio Doce State Park (PERD), Marliéria, Minas Gerais, Brazil. During 1997 16 species of Libellulidae, 4 Coenagrionidae, 2 Gomphidae, 2 Calopterygidae, 1 Megapodagrionidae, 1 Aeshnidae and 3 Protoneuridae were collected. In Viçosa, the association of sampled odonates with lotic or lentic systems, and in PERD for areas with or wilhout riparian vegetation were compared . The results suggest that although overall odonate taxonomic richness is high in areas without riparian vegetation. Likely, because productivity increase of such areas and its invasion by lentic Odonata species.

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