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Brazilian costal sand plains (restingas) are widely known for their many vegetation types, often responding to small landform variations which in turn cause quite distinct soil conditions. One interesting and still poorly known physiognomy is the woody patches or islands dispersed over sparse to dense herbaceous matrixes. Our main objective in this paper was to assess how spatial variables, as area and volume of the patches, affect the floristic composition and the community structure of woody patches in south Brazilian coastal grasslands. We analyzed 48 woody patches in four study sites in central coastal Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Each woody island was measured, and all vascular plant species above 30 cm were registered and quantified according to an abundance scale. Each species received values from one to five depending on the occurrence in five possible segments of each woody patch. Woody patches varied roughly between 4 and 204 m2. The floristic inventory resulted in 102 species in 49 families, Myrtaceae and Bromeliaceae being the most diversified, with eight and seven species, respectively. A total of 12 life-forms were recognized, the most diversified being trees or potential trees (27 species), herb–subshrub (17), climbers (20), and epiphytes (15). Species richness increased significantly with the size of woody islands, corroborating one of the basic premises of Theory of Island Biogeography. Diversity and abundance of life-forms in the contrary were not significantly different along the different sizes. The comparison of all woody islands from the four study sites indicated a higher similarity within each site, suggesting regional variation in soil properties, past disturbances, or landscape contexts.

The Brazilian coastal plains comprise very different forest types commonly distinguished by soil conditions. The study of distinct life-forms in the herb layer might contribute to the understanding of forest structure and to the circumscription of forest types. In this paper, we investigated the variation in composition and diversity of the herb layer in three coastal forest types (Dune, Peat and Rain forests) within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest complex and examined if coastal forests’ differences, usually characterized by adult trees, are matched by herb layer features. We sampled the herb layer (≤1 m in height) in 23 forest fragments, classifying species in climbers, herbs, palms, shrubs and trees. Peat forest had lower overall diversity relative to Dune and Rain forests. Higher tree species richness and abundance in Rain forest, and higher herbaceous richness and abundance in Peat forest were the major differences between these forest types. Dune forest was similar to Peat forest in relation to herbaceous species and to Rain forest in relation to tree species indicating a transition environment between both forests. Composition between forests is distinguishable for trees and shrubs, but not for climbers and herbaceous species. Thus, the distinctions among these forest types are complex when taking into account the herb layer. Our findings demonstrate the importance of including the herb layer life-forms for a better understanding of the diversity and complexity of tropical and subtropical forests, especially the Atlantic coastal forests, which should be primarily classified as flooded and non-flooded at a regional scale.

Bromeliaceae is frequently an important family in several distinct environments of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, including rocky habitats. They are also one of the most common and diverse taxonomic groups in neotropical rocky outcrops. For the first time, diversity and distribution patterns of epipetric bromeliads immersed in forest matrix were evaluated in different forest physiognomies. We tested the precepts of the Theory of Island Biogeography to verify the isolation effect that rocky areas operate on Bromeliaceae. We hypothesize that epipetric bromeliads are represented by exclusively rupestrial species, but also by species commonly epiphytic, coming from the flora of the surrounding matrix. Furthermore, composition and diversity of Bromeliaceae are influenced by the forest type, area of the rocky surface, and the distance between these habitats. The study area comprises sandstone cliffs immersed in the fragmented Atlantic Forest on Southern Brazil. Twenty-four mostly vertical rocky outcrops were sampled, 12 in each forest physiognomy. We used diversity curves, analysis of variance, and indicator species analysis to evaluate how bromeliad communities vary among the two forest types. Generalized linear models and correlation tests were used to evaluate the relationship between species richness, cliff area, and distance. The relationship between species similarity and geographical distance of the cliffs was estimated by a Mantel test. We recorded 26 bromeliad species. The data showed floristic differentiation between bromeliad communities in Evergreen and Seasonal forests. Species richness was positively correlated to the cliff area. Our results showed that bromeliad diversity is not directly related to the degree of isolation of the cliffs. However, floristic similarity decreased with inter-cliff distance. In general, our results corroborated our hypotheses and the predictions of the Theory of Island Biogeography, reflecting additionally the possibility of environmental filters, and limitations in species dispersion.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:16:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-02-01 Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. Instituto de Ciências da Natureza Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL), Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700 Departamento de Botânica Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, S/n - Martelos Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão, 915 Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUC-PR), Escola de Ciências da Vida, Rua Imaculada Conceição, 1155 Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Rodovia Jorge Amado Km 16 Departamento de Botânica Centro Politécnico Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Caixa Postal 19031, Jardim das Américas Instituto de Florestas Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Rodovia BR-465, Km 07 Centro de Ciências Biológicas Departamento de. Botânica Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Campus Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, s/n - Trindade Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Campus Experimental de Registro, Av. Nelson Brihi Badur, 430 Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes (UMC) Núcleo de Ciências Ambientais, Avenida Doutor Cândido Xavier de Almeida e Souza, 200 Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, São Vicente Prefeitura Municipal de Olaria, Meio Ambiente, Praça 1° de Março 13, Centro Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia Baiano (IF-Baiano), Campus Itaberaba, Av. Rio Branco, 1003, Centro Universidade Regional de Blumenau (FURB), Rua Antônio da Veiga, 140 Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia (UFRB) CCAAB, Rua Rui Barbosa, 710 Instituto de Biociências Cidade Universitária Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) Departamento Biociências (DBCI) Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS), Campus Universitário Prof. Alberto Carvalho,Av. Vereador Olímpio Grande, S/N - Bloco D, Centro Floresce Consultoria Ambiental, Rua Dr. Alexandre Gutierrez, 332 Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), CP. 199 Ciências Naturais Departamento de Ciências Naturais UESB Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia (UESB), Estrada do Bem-Querer km 4, s.n., Bairro Universitário Centro de Ensino Superior em Juiz de Fora (CESJF), Campus Arnaldo Janssen, Luz Interior, 345, Santa Luzia Instituto de Botânica de São Paulo Núcleo de Pesquisas Orquidário do Estado, Avenida Miguel Stefano Faculdade de Engenharia Arquitetura e Urbanismo e Geografia Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Caixa Postal 594, 79070-900, Cidade Universitária Departamento de Genética Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500 pr 43312 JB Consultoria Ambiental, Rua Joaquim Firmino, 1318 Departamento de Ciências Florestais Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Avenida Prefeito Lothário Meissner, 632 Instituto Nacional de Pesquisa da Amazônia (INPA) PPG-Botânica, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Aleixo Empresa Brazileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA) Florestas, Estrada da Ribeira, Km 111 Departamento de Ciências Florestais Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ) Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Avenida Pádua Dias 11 Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade de Passo Fundo (UPF), Campus I, Bairro São José, BR 285 Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Biociências Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Rua do Matão, 277 Instituto de Biociências Herbário CGMS Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Avenida Costa e Silva s/n Instituto de Ecología Regional (UNT-CONICET), Casilla de Correo, 34, Yerba Buena Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde - Rodovia Washington Luís Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR), Km 335 - SP 310, 13565-905/C.P 676 Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), CP. 199 Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida 24 A, 1515, CP. 199 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (UNESC), Avenida Universitária, 1105, Bairro Universitário Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIFASF) NEMA, Brazil 407, Km 12, lote 543, Projeto de Irrigação Nilo Coelho, s/n Departamento de Biologia Vegetal Instituto de Biologia Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), C. P. 6109 Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Museu Nacional, Horto Botânico, Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristóvão Laboratory of Palynostratigraphy and Paleobotany CICyTTP (CONICET-Entre Ríos-UADER), Dr. Matteri y España Diamante Departamento de Ecologia Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524 Ministério do Planejamento Desenvolvimentos e Gestão Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco K, Sala 352 Departamento de Biologia Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Campus de Ribeirão Preto, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900 Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Cidade Universitária Departamento de Biodiversidade Evolução e Meio Ambiente Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), Campus, Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Rodovia Jorge Amado Km 16 Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Avenida Alberto Lamego 2000, Parque Califórnia, 28013602 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Ecossistemas Universidade Vila Velha (UVV), Rua Comissário José Dantas de Melo, s/n, Boa Vista Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental e Ornitologia Departamento de Zoologia Centro Politécnico Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Caixa Postal 19031, Jardim das Américas Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Clima Temperado (Embrapa Clima Temperado), Rodovia BR-392, Km 78, 9° Distrito, Postal Code 403 Instituto de Humanidades Artes e Ciências and Herbário Centro de Pesquisa do Cacau - CEPEC Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia (UFSB), Campus Jorge Amado, Km 29 Rod. Ilhéus-Itabuna, CP. 07 Departamento de Zootecnia e Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Independência, n° 3751 Instituto Nacional de Colonização e Reforma Agrária - INCRA/SR22 - Alagoas Setor de Meio Ambiente e Recursos Naturais, Rua do Imperador, N° 105 Centro Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Botânica - Avenida Antônio Carlos, Pampulha Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Laboratório de Ecologia e Restauração Florestal (LERF) Universidade de São Paulo (USP) Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ), Avenida Pádua Dias 11, 13.418-900 Herbarium Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Centro Universitario Regional del Este Universidad de la República, Tacuarembó y Bvar Departamento de Ciências e Matemática (DCM) Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia de São Paulo (IFSP), Campus São Paulo, Rua Pedro Vicente, 625, Canindé Centro de Ciências Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Campus do PICI, Bloco 906 Reservas Votorantim, Rua Amauri, 255, 12° andar Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 3, 64st Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Biomas Tropicais Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), Campus Morro do Cruzeiro Instituto de Botânica de São Paulo Núcleo de Pesquisas Curadoria do Herbário, Avenida Miguel Stefano Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS), Rodovia RS 135, Km 25, Distrito Engenheiro Luiz Englert, Caixa Postal 21 Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500 pr 43433 Conselho Superior de Ensino Pesquisa e Extensão Universidade Paulista (UNIP), Avenida Paulista, 900, 1°. Andar – Herbário, UNIP - Núcleo de Pesquisa em Biodiversidade - Bela Vista, 01310100 Laboratorio de Planificación Territorial Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales Facultad de Recursos Naturales Universidad Católica de Temuco, Rudecindo Ortega, 02950 Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia – ECZ Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), AC/Cidade Universitária. Trindade. CEP 88.040-970 Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235 - Cidade Universitária Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazônia (INPA), Rua Horizontina, 104, Centro Woods Hole Research Center, 149, Woods Hole Road Embrapa Cerrados/Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuária dos Cerrados, BR-020, Km 18 Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica Celso Suckow da Fonseca (CEFET-RJ), Rua Voluntários da Pátria, 30, Bairro Belo Horizonte Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina (UNOESC), Campus de São Miguel do Oeste, Rua Oiapoc, 211, Bairro Agostini São Miguel do Oeste Facultad de Ciencias Iguá y Mataojo Universidad de la República Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castelane, S/N Instituto Federal do Espírito Santo (IFES), Rod. ES-080, Km 93, São João de Petrópolis Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Florestal, Caixa Postal 3037 Departamento de Microbiologia Imunologia e Parasitologia Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Campus Universitário, s/n, Sala 05, MIP - Córrego Grande Faculdades Integradas do Vale do Ribeira Laboratório de Biologia Rua Oscar Yoshiaki Magário União das Instituições de Serviços Ensino e Pesquisa Ltda (UNISEP), 185, Jardim das Palmeiras Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas e Ambientais - Rua João Rosa Góes Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), 1761 Reserva Natural Vale, Rodovia Brazil 101 Norte, Interior Divisão de Florestas e Estações Experimentais Instituto Florestal do Estado de São Paulo, Seção de Bauru, Av. Rodrigues Alves, 38-25, Horto Florestal Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana (UEFS), Avenida Transnordestina s.n. División Plantas Vasculares CONICET Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia, Avenida Ángel Gallardo 470 Universidade Regional Integrada do Alto Uruguai e das Missões (URI), Ciências Biológicas Instituto Tecnológico Vale Biodiversidade e Serviços Ecossistêmicos, Rua Boaventura da Silva, 955 Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Florestais, Avenida Governador Lindemberg, 316, Centro Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Campus Experimental de Registro, Av. Nelson Brihi Badur, 430 Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Praça Infante Dom Henrique, São Vicente Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), CP. 199 Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), CP. 199 Departamento de Botânica Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Avenida 24 A, 1515, CP. 199 Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castelane, S/N

The conversion of old-growth into secondary forest changes profoundly the community structure of most plant life-forms, including the communities of terrestrial herbs. Here, we verify how herb communities are affected by environmental variables of old-growth and secondary stands of South Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We identified all herbaceous species and estimated their frequency and cover in 16 plots of 6 × 6 m in each forest type. We used the structural characteristics of the tree component (i.e., basal area, density, average height and canopy openness) and soil parameters as environmental variables of each forest. Results showed that old-growth and secondary forests have distinct herb composition, with the later showing higher plant cover and species diversity. Canopy openness and soil parameters explained part of the variation in herb composition between forests. Herb cover and richness responded positively to soil fertility in both forests, and in secondary forest these two descriptors were also positively correlated with canopy openness. The abiotic differences between forests allowed the establishment of herbaceous species with different ecological requirements, especially in the secondary forest, marked by input of species typically found in disturbed environments. These species contribute to the higher cover values and species richness in secondary forest. Our findings suggest that changes in environmental conditions in a forest substantially change the herb community. Because of their importance as environmental indicators, herb communities can contribute to a better understanding of successional patterns in the Atlantic Forest.

In recent years there has been increasing attention in patterns of β-diversity and mechanisms related to variations in species composition. In this study, we evaluated beta diversity patterns of bromeliads growing on cliffs immersed in Atlantic Forest. We hypothesized that the species composition varies according to the spatial scale, inferring that there is a replacement of species influenced mainly by environmental factors. The study was carried out on sandstone cliffs included in contiguous but distinct vegetation formations: Evergreen and Seasonal forests. Twenty-four vertical rocky outcrops were sampled. The spatial variation in species composition was evaluated by two β-diversity components, turnover and nestedness. Multivariate analysis and variation partitioning were performed to distinguish niche and stochastic processes. We recorded 26 bromeliad species and a significantly higher contribution of turnover explaining beta diversity. Environmental factors affect β-diversity patterns of Bromeliaceae. However, individually, the environmental predictors do not explain the data variation. Environmental variations spatially structured, and spatial variables determinate the dissimilarity in the composition of bromeliads on cliffs. Thus, our results revealed that both environmental and spatial effects can act together to define the floristic composition of rock-dwelling bromeliad communities. Resumo: Nos últimos anos tem havido uma crescente atenção em relação aos padrões de diversidade β e aos mecanismos relacionados às variações na composição de espécies. Neste estudo, nós avaliamos os padrões de diversidade beta de bromélias crescendo em escarpas rochosas imersas em matriz de Floresta Atlântica. Hipotetizamos que a composição das espécies varia de acordo com a escala espacial, inferindo que há uma substituição de espécies influenciadas principalmente por fatores ambientais. O estudo foi realizado em escarpas areníticas inseridas em formações vegetacionais contíguas, mas distintas: Florestas Ombrófila e Estacional. Vinte e quatro afloramentos rochosos verticais foram amostrados. A variação espacial na composição de espécies foi avaliada por dois componentes de diversidade β, turnover e aninhamento. Análise multivariada e particionamento da variação foram realizados para distinguir processos de nicho e estocásticos. Registramos 26 espécies de bromélias, com uma contribuição significativamente maior do turnover explicando a diversidade beta. Os fatores ambientais afetam os padrões de diversidade β de Bromeliaceae, no entanto, individualmente, esses preditores não explicam a variação dos dados. Assim, variações espaciais e variações ambientais espacialmente estruturadas determinam a dissimilaridade na composição de bromélias nas escarpas avaliadas. Desse modo, tanto os fatores ambientais determinísticos quanto os efeitos espaciais podem atuar em conjunto para definir a composição florística das comunidades de bromélias que se estabelecem sobre rochas.

The neotropical genus Sinningia Nees encompasses tuberous herbs or subshrubs which occupy a wide range of environments with respect to climate and soil or substrate types. The genus has more than 70 species distributed from Southern Mexico to Northern Argentina, with a diversity centre in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. In this ecosystem, a large number of species occur in several particular vegetation types, occupying terrestrial, rupestrial and epiphytic substrates. The aims of this study were to describe the distribution patterns of subtropical Sinningia species, and to determine possible limiting factors for their range extension. We summarized environmental data for 21 subtropical species. Ten geographical and ecological variables were subdivided into several regional or local conditions. The occurrence of species in each of these conditions was obtained from published material, herbarium reviews and field expeditions. We used exploratory multivariate approaches, (cluster and ordination analyses) to assess the contribution of these variables to species’ ecological and geographical distributions. Comparisons between groups of species were evaluated using randomization tests. Two major patterns of geographic distribution were identified for subtropical Sinningia species: widespread and restricted. Species richness according to spatial and climatic variables showed four distinct patterns. Habitat tolerance of the species also distinguished two groups in a wider continuum context. Cluster analysis resulted in two stable groups, which coincided almost entirely with an a priori classification based on geographic range. Ordination analysis showed a distinction between widespread and restricted species, as well as a gradient of substrate occupancy. Patterns of ecological and geographical distribution were strongly related to the evolutionary history of the genus. The southern distribution limit of Sinningia is mainly linked to shifts in vegetation types around the 30°S parallel, where the northern forested Atlantic and Paranean biogeographic provinces give place to the southern non-forested Espinal and Pampean provinces.

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest (sensu lato) is constituted by Dense Ombrophilous Forest, Mixed Ombrophilous Forest and Seasonal Semideciduous Forest, in which tree species are distributed in gradients, whichever latitude, longitude, or altitude is considered. We investigated whether herb species living on the floor of these forests would have the same geographic distribution pattern. If tree and herb-layer species have coincident distribution patterns, the same conservation units can conserve both species sets; otherwise, specific conservation actions should be taken. We built a presence/absence matrix of 803 terrestrial native species in 80 surveys across the southern and southeastern Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We performed UPGMA, CA and RDA multivariate analyses in order to investigate the distribution patterns. The high degree of agreement among the analyses led us to assume that the geographic distribution of the herb-layer flora occurs as gradients among three main floristic groups: Tropical Ombrophilous forests (mostly lowland forests), Subtropical Ombrophilous forests (mostly montane and upper-montane forests in lower latitudes and sub-montane and lowland forests in higher latitudes, i.e., where temperature is lower), and Seasonal Semideciduous forests (with a marked dry season). Based on different patterns and processes between herbs and trees, and in order to encompass the highest flora diversity, we highlight the importance of creating more reserves in each one of the three main floristic groups of herb-layer species in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

In this paper we describe and illustrate Sinningia ramboi (Gesneriaceae), a new species occurring on rocky outcrops in the upper parts of the canyons cutting the plateau of high altitude grasslands in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This new species bears some similarity to S. polyantha, S. nivalis, and S. douglasii, but is readily distinguished by opposite leaves and a much shorter main axis of the inflorescence. Ecological and distributional data, as well as a key to distinguish these related species, are also presented.

A new species of Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae: Cuscuteae) from South America is described, illustrated, and studied under light and scanning electron microscopy. Cuscuta taimensis is similar to Cuscuta racemosa, but differs in having oblong to elliptic calyx lobes and a circumscissile capsule.

Several basic ecological aspects of hemiepiphytes, such as abundance, diversity and distribution, are still scarcely addressed in scientific papers and thus remain poorly documented. The main aim of this study was to analyse the relative importance of different environmental factors on the abundance and richness of primary hemiepiphytes, secondary hemiepiphytes and root-climbing lianas, at three altitudinal levels in one slope of the south Brazilian Atlantic forest. Fifteen 400-m² square sample plots within the altitudinal levels at the slope of Serra Geral in northeastern Rio Grande do Sul were defined. Abundance of species, the percentage of host trees colonized by each life form, canopy openness, soil composition and tree density were recorded for each sample plot, besides climatic variables for each altitudinal level. We sampled a total of 1994 occurrences belonging to 16 species. The three life forms showed different compositions in the three altitudinal levels and presented different intensities in their response to the analysed variables. The abundance of secondary hemiepiphytes increased up to four times from the lower to upper altitudinal levels, while root-climbing lianas increased almost twice in the same direction, following an increase in precipitation. The species richness decreased toward the upper level for the three life forms. Our study also identifies, for the first time, significant correlations between abundance of secondary hemiepiphytes and soil composition, and also with support availability (tree density).

The montane grasslands of eastern and southern Brazil occur mostly at elevations above 900 m and are regionally distinguished as campos rupestres and campos de altitude, with the former having a more interior and seasonal climate and the latter a more coastal and humid climate. The floristic relationships between 13 sites of montane grasslands, distributed from north-east to south Brazil (roughly 13–28 °S), were analyzed on the basis of grass species composition. After a compilation of the published literature, the floristic lists were updated according to current taxonomic circumscriptions. The final list had 311 species within 72 genera. The genus Paspalum had the highest number of species (49), whereas 25 genera contained only a single species. Relatively many species (∼50%) were restricted to single study sites, and very few species were widespread. Multivariate analysis supported four groups (bootstrap values >70), primarily distinguishing between seasonal tropical versus humid temperate climates and...

Species occurrence and abundance models are important tools that can be used in biodiversity conservation, and can be applied to predict or plan actions needed to mitigate the environmental impacts of hydropower dams. In this study our objectives were: (i) to model the occurrence and abundance of threatened plant species, (ii) to verify the relationship between predicted occurrence and true abundance, and (iii) to assess whether models based on abundance are more effective in predicting species occurrence than those based on presence–absence data. Individual representatives of nine species were counted within 388 randomly georeferenced plots (10 m × 50 m) around the Barra Grande hydropower dam reservoir in southern Brazil. We modelled their relationship with 15 environmental variables using both occurrence (Generalised Linear Models) and abundance data (Hurdle and Zero-Inflated models). Overall, occurrence models were more accurate than abundance models. For all species, observed abundance was significantly, although not strongly, correlated with the probability of occurrence. This correlation lost significance when zero-abundance (absence) sites were excluded from analysis, but only when this entailed a substantial drop in sample size. The same occurred when analysing relationships between abundance and probability of occurrence from previously published studies on a range of different species, suggesting that future studies could potentially use probability of occurrence as an approximate indicator of abundance when the latter is not possible to obtain. This possibility might, however, depend on life history traits of the species in question, with some traits favouring a relationship between occurrence and abundance. Reconstructing species abundance patterns from occurrence could be an important tool for conservation planning and the management of threatened species, allowing scientists to indicate the best areas for collection and reintroduction of plant germplasm or choose conservation areas most likely to maintain viable populations.

Most of southern Brazil is located in a subtropical region, thus representing a climatic and biogeographic transition, which results in different floristic contingents of both tropical and temperate origin in any particular study area. In order to verify the biogeographic affinities of climbing plants, a floristic survey was carried out in a Semideciduous Seasonal Forest remnant located in mideastern Rio Grande do Sul. The presence of the sampled species was recorded for three gradually more distant areas along four divergent expansion lines starting from the study area: northeast, northwest, midwest, and southwest. The distribution data were compiled from the available local and regional literature. The 82 species found comprised 55 genera and 33 families; most species occurred in a single family (Asteraceae), followed secondarily by Apocynaceae, Passifloraceae, Bignoniaceae and Fabaceae. Many species presented a relatively large geographic range, and most species occurred along the northern tropical expansion line. Multivariate analysis included the study area in a group formed exclusively by rain forests of a northeastern expansion line, indicating a southern continuity of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, although it was locally represented by a lower number of species.

F. S. Rocha (rocha1403@yahoo.com.br), Programa de Po´s-Graduac ¸a˜o em Botaˆnica, Univ. Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Goncalves9500, BR ˆ91.501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. J. L. Waechter, Depto de Botanica, Univ. Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. BentoGonc¸alves 9500, BR 91.501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.Terrestrial orchids comprise a taxonomically and ecologically varied group, ranging from tropical to subpolar regions andfrom wet marshy to dry sand-dune environments. An ecological survey of these plants was performed in a natural regionof Rio Grande do Sul, south Brazil, namely the northern coastal plain, between the abrupt slopes of the Serra Geral andthe coastal line of the Atlantic Ocean (29801?Sto30800?S, 49843?Wto50816?W). The study area presents a humidsubtropical climate of the Cfa type. Mean annual temperature and precipitation range from 17.5 to 20.08C and from1200 to 1700 mm, respectively. The occurrence of indigenous terrestrial orchid species was recorded for six majorhabitats or vegetation types: bogs and marshes, peat forests, rain forests, dune forests, Butia-palm stands and coastal sand-dunes. The ecological range was defined for 39 species belonging to 23 genera, based on literature, herbarium revisionsand extensive collecting along the studied area. Species richness ranged from nine species, in both coastal dunes and palm-groves, to 17 species in peat forests. A negative correlation was observed between species richness and ecological range,showing a general tendency for terrestrial orchids to be confined to one or a few habitats. Multivariate analyses indicatedlight (herbaceous vs woody vegetation) as a primary ecological factor, and soil drainage (sandy vs peaty substrates) as asecondary factor controlling terrestrial orchid distribution.

Hemiepiphytes comprise two major categories, those that begin their life cycle as epiphytes and later establish soil contact through long descendent roots (primary hemiepiphytes), and those that germinate in the soil and climb up using adherent roots, eventually becoming epiphytes after losing soil contact (secondary hemiepiphytes) (Putz & Holbrook 1986). In several features root-climbing lianas are similar to secondary hemiepiphytes, including adhesion by adventitious roots, ability to colonize host-trees of different sizes (Putz 1984), and colonization generally restricted to a single phorophyte, differing mainly in the retention of soil contact through strong stems.

RESUMO Apresenta-se o estudo taxonômico de 35 espécies de Anthurium seção Urospadix subseção Flavescentiviridia, com base em análises dos caracteres morfológicos vegetativos e reprodutivos, a partir de material coletado em campo e de exsicatas de diversos herbários nacionais e internacionais. A subseção caracteriza-se pela lâmina foliar de consistência membranácea a cartácea, esverdeada discolor, com nervuras secundárias geralmente impressas adaxialmente e proeminentes abaxialmente em diversos graus, são geralmente ombrófilas e esciófilas. Registros inéditos de morfologia vegetativa e reprodutiva estão sendo apresentados, especialmente em relação às bagas (A. acutum, A. urvilleanum, A. hoehnei, A. ianthinopodum, A. loefgrenii, A. longicuspidatum, A. luschnathianum, A. marense e A. mourae). Apresenta-se uma chave para identificação das espécies, descrições detalhadas, comentários sobre a distribuição geográfica, ecologia, fenologia, conservação e ilustrações para cada uma delas. ABSTRACT A taxonomic revision of the 35 species of Anthurium sect. Urospadix subsect. Flavescentiviridia is presented, it was based on vegetative and reproductive morphological characters data gathered during field studies and the analyses of dried specimens from herbaria in Brazil and abroad. The subsection is characterized primarily by vegetative characters, mainly from the leaves. Unreported morphological observations are presented, being particularly interesting those concerned to the fruits of A. acutum, A. urvilleanum, A. hoehnei, A. ianthinopodum, A. loefgrenii, A. longicuspidatum, A. luschnathianum, A. marense and A. mourae. An identification key is provided for the species as well as illustrations, detailed descriptions and commentary on geographical distribution, ecology, phenology and conservation status for each species.

Os padrões de abundância e distribuição de epífitos vasculares foram estudados em espécimes isolados de Ficus organensis (Miq.) Miq. no norte da planície costeira do Rio Grande do Sul. A área de estudo está situada próximo ao Município de Terra de Areia (29º35'S; 50º04'W), uma região com clima subtropical úmido (Cfa). Um total de 60 árvores foram escaladas para o inventário dos epífitos vasculares. A abundância relativa foi estimada para as espécies e o índice de diversidade de Shannon para a comunidade. A distribuição espacial dos epífitos vasculares foi estimada analisando sua ocorrência em segmentos estruturais das árvores hospedeiras (fuste, copas interna e externa) e aplicando uma técnica de análise multivariada (PCO). A composição florística resultou em 77 espécies, 32 gêneros e 10 famílias, com um índice de Shannon de 3,519 nats. Quatro espécies apresentaram valores de importância distintamente maiores, 12 valores intermediários e 61 valores relativamente menores. O mesmo padrão foi obtido com a ordenação das espécies. A riqueza epifítica por segmentos das árvores hospedeiras mostrou-se maior na copa interna, refletindo um hábitat mais favorável provido pelos ramos espessos e horizontais. A diversidade comunitária é relativamente alta considerando-se uma única espécie de forófito e um conjunto de ambientes perturbados. A distribuição das espécies epifíticas em três grupos em função das estimativas de abundância foi previamente observada para florestas costeiras melhor preservadas na mesma região. Abundance and distribution patterns of vascular epiphytes were studied on isolated specimens of Ficus organensis in the northern coastal plain of Rio Grande Sul. The study area lies around Terra de Areia town (29°35'S; 50°04'W), a region with a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). A total of 60 trees were climbed for the inventory of vascular epiphytes. Abundance parameters were estimated for the species and the Shannon diversity index was calculated for the community. Spatial distribution of vascular epiphytes was detected in two ways, one analyzing occurrence on structural segments of host trees (stem, inner and outer crown) and other applying a multivariate technique (principal coordinate analysis). Floristic composition resulted in 77 species, 32 genera and 10 families. The Shannon index of diversity resulted in 3.519 nats/individual. Four species presented a distinct higher value of importance, 12 species presented intermediate values and 61 relatively lower values. The same pattern was obtained with the ordination of species. Epiphytic richness according to host tree segments showed the higher species number in the inner crown. The community diversity may be considered as relatively high for a study with a single phorophyte species and a set of disturbed environments. The distribution of epiphytic species into three distinct groups according to abundance estimates was previously observed for well-preserved coastal plain forests of the same region. The highest richness in the inner crown obviously reflects a suitable habitat provided by relatively thick and horizontal branches.

Phoradendron e um genero neotropical com ca. 230 especies e no Brasil ocorrem ca. 60 especies distribuidas em todos os dominios fitogeograficos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar o estudo taxonomico de Phoradendron na Regiao Sul do Brasil. Foram confirmadas 21 especies: P. argentinum , P. bathyoryctum , P. berteroanum , P. burkartii , P. chrysocladon , P. coriaceum , P. craspedophyllum , P. crassifolium , P. dipterum , P. ensifolium , P. habrostachyum , P. hexastichum , P. holoxanthum , P. inaequidentatum , P. mucronatum , P. obtusissimum , P. pellucidullum , P. perrottetii , P. piperoides , P. quadrangulare e P. undulatum . Um nome e restabelecido ( P. burkartii ) e nove sao propostos como sinonimos ( P. affine , P. falcifrons , P. interruptum , P. liga , P. lindemanii , P. linearifolium , P. pachyneuron , P. paraguari e P. reductum ). O lectotipo de P. reductum e designado. E apresentada uma chave de identificacao para as especies do Sul do Brasil, bem como descricoes, comentarios taxonomicos, informacoes sobre a distribuicao geografica, hospedeiros, fenologia e ilustracoes para cada especie. Taxonomic study of mistletoes from South Brazil: II. Viscaceae (Phoradendron) Abstract Phoradendron is a Neotropical genus with c. 230 species. In Brazil c. 60 species occur, distributed in all major phytogeographic domains. The aim of this work was the taxonomic study of Phoradendron in southern Brazil. Twenty-one species were confirmed, namely P. argentinum , P. bathyoryctum , P. berteroanum , P. burkartii , P. chrysocladon , P. coriaceum , P. craspedophyllum , P. crassifolium , P. dipterum , P. ensifolium , P. habrostachyum , P. hexastichum , P. holoxanthum , P. inaequidentatum , P. mucronatum , P. obtusissimum , P. pellucidullum , P. perrottetii , P. piperoides , P. quadrangulare and P. undulatum . One name is reestablished ( P. burkartii ) and nine are proposed as synonyms ( P. affine , P. falcifrons , P. interruptum , P. liga , P. lindemanii , P. linearifolium , P. pachyneuron , P. paraguari and P. reductum ). The lectotype of P. reductum is designated. An identification key to the southern Brazilian species is provided, as well as morphological descriptions, taxonomic comments, information on geographic distribution, hosts and phenology, and illustrations for each species.

The genus Peperomia is represented by eight species in Uruguay: P. catharinae , P. comarapana , P. hispidula , P. increscens , P. pereskiifolia , P. psilostachya , P. tetraphylla and P. trineuroides . Peperomia psilostachya is reported for the first time for the flora of Uruguay, from material collected in moist hillside and riverside forests from the northeast and east of the country. Three new synonyms are proposed: P. arechavaletae var. arechavaletae as synonym of P. trineuroides , P. arechavaletae var. minor of P. tetraphylla and P. trapezoidalis of P. psilostachya . Lectotypes for P. arechavaletae, P. arechavaletae var. minor and P. tacuariana , and a neotype for P. herteri are designated. The taxonomic treatment includes synonymies used in Uruguay, morphological descriptions, distribution and habitat data, phenology, conservation assesment, observations, and material examined for each species treated. A species identification key, plant illustrations and distribution maps in Uruguay are provided.

Apesar das florestas de galeria serem amplamente difundidas nos neotrópicos, existem poucas informações disponíveis sobre seu epifitismo vascular. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a composição florística e a estrutura comunitária dos epífitos vasculares em uma floresta de galeria que acompanha dois arroios na Depressão Central do Rio Grande do Sul, sul do Brasil. A área estudada situa-se na Estação Experimental Agronômica (30°04’ - 30°07’ S e 51°40’ - 51°42’ W) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) a uma altitude aproximada de 40 m. O clima regional é subtropical úmido (Cfa), com médias anuais de temperatura e precipitação de 19,2 ºC e 1.310 mm, respectivamente. Sessenta forófitos com DAP mínimo de 10 cm foram amostrados através do método de pontos quadrantes. Os parâmetros de freqüência e diversidade foram estimados com base na ocorrência epifítica sobre indivíduos forofíticos e sobre os segmentos fuste e copa. O levantamento florístico resultou em 13 famílias, 32 gêneros e 50 espécies. As famílias mais ricas em espécies foram Orchidaceae (13), Bromeliaceae (8), Polypodiaceae (8), Cactaceae (5) e Piperaceae (5). Duas pteridófitas, Microgramma vacciniifolia e Polypodium pleopeltifolium, apresentaram os maiores valores de importância. O índice de diversidade de Shannon foi 3,434 (nats) para toda a comunidade epifítica. Considerando os ambientes de fuste e copa, os valores foram 3,092 e 3,298, respectivamente. Estes valores intermediários em relação a outros estudos no sul do Brasil provavelmente refletem uma típica situação subtropical, onde a diversidade epifítica decresce com a diminuição da temperatura e precipitação. Although gallery forests are widespread throughout the neotropics, little information is available about vascular epiphytism in these formations. The objective of this study was to describe the floristic composition and community structure of vascular epiphytes in a gallery forest along two small streams of the central lowlands of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. The study site lies in the area of the Agronomic Experimental Station (30°04’ - 30°07’ S and 51°40’ - 51°42’ W) of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) at an altitude of about 40 m. Regional climate is humid subtropical (Cfa), with average annual temperature and precipitation of 19,2 ºC and 1310 mm, respectively. Sixty host-trees with a minimum DBH of 10 cm were sampled according to the point-centered quarter method. Frequency and diversity parameters were estimated on the basis of epiphytic occurrence on individual phorophytes and on two tree-segments, bole and crown. Floristic composition resulted in 13 families, 32 genera and 50 species. The families with highest species richness were Orchidaceae (13), Bromeliaceae (8), Polypodiaceae (8), Cactaceae (5) and Piperaceae (5). Two fern species presented the highest importance values, Microgramma vacciniifolia and Polypodium pleopeltifolium. The Shannon index of diversity was 3.434 (nats) for the whole epiphytic community. Regarding the bole and crown environments, the values were 3.092 and 3.298, respectively. These intermediate values in relation to other studies on soutern Brazil probably reflect a typical subtropical situation, where epiphytic diversity decreases due to lower temperature and precipitation.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:57:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0102-33062005000300013.pdf: 35822 bytes, checksum: b0d663311a7d365cb9350826ad7b02f1 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:57:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0102-33062005000300013.pdf: 35822 bytes, checksum: b0d663311a7d365cb9350826ad7b02f1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-09-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:51:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0102-33062005000300013.pdf: 35822 bytes, checksum: b0d663311a7d365cb9350826ad7b02f1 (MD5) S0102-33062005000300013.pdf.txt: 30087 bytes, checksum: 611f150515fdab6e9c261b09983d1917 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-09-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T15:13:30Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0102-33062005000300013.pdf: 35822 bytes, checksum: b0d663311a7d365cb9350826ad7b02f1 (MD5) S0102-33062005000300013.pdf.txt: 30087 bytes, checksum: 611f150515fdab6e9c261b09983d1917 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T15:13:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0102-33062005000300013.pdf: 35822 bytes, checksum: b0d663311a7d365cb9350826ad7b02f1 (MD5) S0102-33062005000300013.pdf.txt: 30087 bytes, checksum: 611f150515fdab6e9c261b09983d1917 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-09-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Um inventário florístico de pteridófitas (samambaias e grupos aparentados) foi realizado em uma área de 1ha (100×100 m) no Parque Estadual Pico do Marumbi, município de Morretes, Estado do Paraná, Brasil. A área de estudo é coberta por Floresta Ombrófila Densa Montana e situase a aproximadamente 630 m de altitude. Todas as espécies e formas de vida de pteridófitas ocorrentes no interior da área foram registradas e a maioria foi coletada para determinação específica. No total, 81 espécies pertencentes a 17 famílias foram registradas. As famílias mais ricas foram Polypodiaceae (12 espécies), Hymenophyllaceae (11) e Lomariopsidaceae (11). Os gêneros mais ricos foram Asplenium (dez espécies), Elaphoglossum (dez) e Trichomanes (seis). A composição por forma de vida foi: epífitas (49 espécies), terrícolas (28), rupícolas (duas), epífitas/terrícolas/rupícolas (uma) e epífitas/rupícolas (uma). Nenhuma hemiepífita foi encontrada. As plantas terrícolas incluíram espécies herbáceas (22), arborescentes (quatro) e escandentes (duas). A riqueza da área pode ser considerada elevada quando comparada a outras áreas neotropicais. A floristic survey of pteridophytes (ferns and fern allies) was carried out in a 1ha plot in the Pico do Marumbi State Park, Morretes, State of Paraná, Southern Brazil. The study area is covered with a closed ombrophilous forest (Brazilian Atlantic Forest) and lies approximately 630 m in elevation. All species and life-forms of pteridophytes growing in the plot were registered and most of them were collected for taxonomic identification. A total of 81 species, belonging to 17 families were registered. The richest were Polypodiaceae (12 species), Hymenophyllaceae (11) and Lomariopsidaceae (11). The richest genera were Asplenium (ten species), Elaphoglossum (10) and Trichomanes (six). Life-form composition was: epiphytes (49 species), terrestrials (28), lithophytes (two), epiphytes/terrestrials/lithophytes (one) and epiphytes/lithophytes (one). No hemiepiphytes were found. Terrestrials included herbaceous (22 species), arborescent (four) and climbing (two). Species richness of the plot can be considered as high when compared to other neotropical sites. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) Departamento de Botânica Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Departamento de Botânica Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Botânica

A composição florística e a estrutura do componente arbóreo foram analisadas na floresta de restinga turfosa do Parque Nacional da Lagoa do Peixe (31º04' - 31º29'S, 50º461 - 51º09'W), localizado na região central da Planície Costeira do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. O componente arbóreo foi amostrado pelo método de quadrantes centrados, incluindo indivíduos com DAP mínimo de 5cm. Foram amostrados 60 pontos, distribuídos ao longo de quatro transectos paralelos, aproximadamente com a mesma orientação NE-SW do sistema lagunar. A composição florística resultou em 14 famílias, 18 gêneros e 21 espécies. A densidade arbórea total estimada para um hectare foi de 3.479 indivíduos. A família com maior riqueza específica foi Myrtaceae. As espécies mais importantes foram Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman, Myrcia multiflora (Lam.) DC., Ilex pseudobuxus Reissek, Citharexylum myrianthum Cham. e Dendropanax cuneatum Decne. & Planch. A diversidade específica estimada pelo índice de Shannon (H') foi de 2,601 nats.ind.-1 e a equabilidade (J) de 0,854, similar aos resultados obtidos em outros estudos realizados em florestas brejosas ou turfosas do Sul e Sudeste do Brasil. Floristic composition and structure of the tree component were analyzed in a coastal peat forest of the National Park Lagoa do Peixe (31º04' - 31º29'S, 50º46' - 51º09'W), located in the central region of the coastal plain of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The tree component was sampled according to the point-centered quarter method, including individuals with a minimum DBH of 5cm. Sixty sample points were distributed along four parallel transects, approximately with the same NE-SW orientation as the lagoon system. Floristic composition resulted in 14 families, 18 genera and 21 species. The total tree density estimated for one hectare was 3,479 individuals. The family with highest species richness was Myrtaceae. The most important species were Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman, Myrcia multiflora (Lam.) DC., Ilex pseudobuxus Reissek, Citharexylum myrianthum Cham. and Dendropanax cuneatum Decne. & Planch. The species diversity estimated by the Shannon index was 2,601 nats.ind.-1 and the evenness (J) was 0,854, which are similar values to others obtained for peat or swamp forests of southern and southeastern Brazil.

A distribuição geográfica das 39 espécies nativas de Mikania Willd. no Rio Grande do Sul foi estudada em duas escalas: uma escala regional, utilizando regiões fisiográficas como unidades, e uma escala continental, considerando regiões político-geográficas como unidades. A riqueza específica e a amplitude de distribuiçãoforam obtidas diretamente de matrizes de presença e ausência, relacionando espécies e regiões. A matriz regional foi analisada por dois métodos multivariados, uma análise de agrupamentos e uma análise de coordenadas principais, utilizando o complemento do coeficiente de Jaccard como elemento de comparação (dissimilaridade). Na escala regional as regiões mais ricas foram o Litoral e a Depressão Central, enquanto na escala continental, a maioria das espécies sul-rio-grandenses foram também encontradas no Sudeste do Brasil e no Sul da América do Sul. A análise multivariada evidenciou dois grupos principais no Estado, um oriental e outro ocidental. Em cada um desses grupos foram evidenciados dois subgrupos relacionados a características climáticas e geológicas do Estado.Os padrões de distribuição de Mikania confirmam o caráter tropical do gênero e as principais rotas de migração descritas para a flora do Sul do Brasil. The geographical distribution of the 39 species of Mikania Willd. native in Rio Grande do Sul was studied at two scales: a state-regional scale, using physiographic regions as units, and an american-continental scale, considering politic-geographic regions as units. Specific richness and distribution amplitude were obtained directly from presence and absence matrixes, relating species and regions. The state-regional matrix was also analysed by two multivariate methods, a cluster analysis and a principal coordinate analysis, using the complement of the Jaccard coefficient as a measure of dissimilarity. At the state-regional scale, the richest regions were the Coastal Plain and the Central Depression, whereas at the american-continental scale, most of the South Riograndean species were also found in Southeastern Brazil and Southern South America. The multivariate analysis evidenced two main groups in Rio Grande do Sul, one eastern and another western. Within each of these groups, two subgroups related to climatic and geological features were evidenced. The distribution patterns of Mikania confirm the tropical character of the genus, and the main migration routes described for the southern Brazilian vascular flora.

Estudos com epífitos vasculares no Brasil normalmente não consideram árvores isoladas em áreas antropizadas, as quais permitem o estabelecimento e preservação de uma porção representativa da flora epifítica original. Neste trabalho, enfoca-se a composição florística dos epífitos vasculares em espécimes isolados de Ficus organensis (Miq.) Miq. no norte da planície costeira do Rio Grande do Sul. A área de estudo fica situada no entorno da cidade de Terra de Areia (29°35' S e 50°04' W), com clima subtropical úmido (Cfa). Sessenta árvores foram inventariadas. Foram encontradas 77 espécies, 33 gêneros e 10 famílias. A família Orchidaceae e o gênero Tillandsia L. apresentaram os maiores números de espécies. A categoria ecológica mais diversificada foi a dos holoepífitos, com 69 espécies, a maioria delas apresentando a suculência como adaptação para o estresse hídrico. A proporção de espécies anemocóricas (51) foi praticamente o dobro das zoocóricas (26). A percentagem das espécies epifíticas, em relação à flora epifítica regional, foi de 30,8%. A proporção de Orchidaceae foi relativamente menor, provavelmente devido a maiores exigências em relação aos hábitats florestais originais. A família com maior importância fisionômica foi Bromeliaceae. O predomínio das espécies anemocóricas sobre as zoocóricas, nas árvores amostradas, é menor do que em áreas com florestas preservadas. Studies on vascular epiphytes in Brazil usually do not consider isolated trees close to anthropic areas. These trees allow the establishment and preservation of a representative proportion of the original epiphytic flora. In this study, the floristic composition of vascular epiphytes was surveyed on isolated specimens of Ficus organensis (Miq.) Miq., on the northern coastal plain of Rio Grande do Sul. The study area lies around the city of Terra de Areia (29°35' S; 50°04' W), a region with a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Sixty trees were surveyed. The floristic survey resulted in 77 species, 33 genera and 10 families. Orchidaceae and the genus Tillandsia L. presented the highest number of species. The most diversified ecological category was true epiphytes, with 69 species, most of these are succulent as an adaptation to water deficit. The proportion of anemochoric species (51) was almost twice the number of zoochoric species (26). The percentage of epiphytic species in relation to the regional epiphytic flora was 30.8%. The proportion of Orchidaceae was relatively small, probably due to greater ecological demands in relation to the original forested habitats. The family with greatest physiognomic importance was Bromeliaceae. Although anemochoric species clearly predominate over zoochoric species, the importance of this seed dispersal form is still higher in areas with well-preserved forests.

Se reporta por primera vez para la flora de Uruguay la orquídea epífita Acianthera hygrophila (Barb. Rodr.) Pridgeon & M.W. Chase. La misma fue hallada en el bosque ribereño del Río Yaguarón en el este del departamento de Cerro Largo próximo al límite con Brasil. Este registro representa el límite sur de distribución de la especie. Se presenta una descripción ampliada, ilustración y mapa de distribución de A. hygrophila, así como una clave para la identificación de las especies de Acianthera presentes en Uruguay

As sinusias herbaceas e arbustivas sao componentes de comunidades florestais pouco pesquisados nas regibes tropicais e subtropicais. Neste trabalho foram estudadas a composicao floristica e a estrutura fitossociologica destas sinasias em uma floresta arenosa (restinga) da Planicie Costeira do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os dados fitossociologicos foram obtidos em 30 parcelas de 2 x 2 m. Em cads parcela anotou-se a presenca e a altura maxima das especies herbaceas e arbutivas, e a cobertura foi estimada pela escala de Causton. A composicao floristica total da area compreende 61 especies, 52 generos e 33 familias. As familias que apresentaram mais de duas especies foram: Poaceae, Commelinaceae, Orchidaceae, Piperaceae, Rubiaceae e Asteraceae. As formas de vida hemicript6fita e camefita foram as mais representativas. A amostragem fitossociologica resultou em 26 especies herbaceas e 10 arbustivas, pertencentes a 31 generos e 24 familias. As especies mais importantes foram Carex sellowiana Schlecht., Oplismenus hirtellus (L.) P. Beauv., Spathicarpa hastifolia Hook. (herbaceas), Pavonia sepium St.-Hil. e Justicia brasiliana Roth (arbustos). A diversidade e eqiiidade especifica, segundo os indices de Shannon (H') e Pielou (J) estimados pela frequencia, foram 2,98 e 0,84, respectivamente. The herb and shrub synusiae are little known components of forest communities in tropical and subtropical regions. The floristic composition and phytosociological structure of these synusiae were studied in a dune forest (restinga) of the Coastal Plain of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Synusial composition and structure were recorded for 30 sample plots of 2 x 2 m. In each plot, presence and maximum height for herb and shrub species were recorded, and cover was estimated according to Causton's scale. There were 61 species, 52 genera and 33 families in the area. Families with more than two species were: Poaceae, Commelinaceae, Orchidaceae, Piperaceae, Rubiaceae and Asteraceae. The life-forms of most species were hemicryptophytes and chamaephytes. The phytosociological sampling resulted in 26 herbaceous and 10 shrubby species, pertaining to 31 genera and 24 families. The most important species were Carex sellowiana Schlecht., Oplismenus hirtellus (L.) P. Beauv., Spathicarpa hastifolia Hook. (herbs), Pavonia septum St.-Hil. and Justicia brasiliana Roth (shrubs). Species diversity and evenness, using Shannon's (H') and Pielou's (J) indexes estimated from frequency, were 2.98 and 0.84, respectively.

A composição específica de florestas estacionais no Rio Grande do Sul é fortemente influenciada por dois contingentes florísticos diferentes, um coincidente com as florestas atlânticas do leste e outro com as florestas paranaense-uruguaias do oeste. Um levantamento fitossociológico de uma floresta central sul-rio-grandense foi realizado para detectar a estrutura comunitária do componente arbóreo e a participação local dos diferentes contingentes florísticos. Todas as árvores com DAP > ou = 5 cm foram registradas em uma área de 1 ha, subdividida em 100 unidades amostrais de 10 x 10 m. As espécies amostradas foram classificadas como amplas ou restritas, segundo suas distribuições geográficas, considerando as afinidades florísticas leste ou oeste. A densidade total por hectare foi de 1855 indivíduos, pertencentes a 23 famílias, 46 gêneros e 55 espécies. As famílias com maior riqueza específica foram Fabaceae e Myrtaceae. As espécies mais importantes foram Gymnanthes concolor Spreng., Euterpe edulis Mart., Sorocea bonplandii (Baill.) Burger, Lanj. & Boer, Pachystroma longifolium (Nees) I.M. Johnst. e Trichilia claussenii C.DC., acumulando 55,2% do total do valor de importância. A diversidade específica (H') foi estimada em 2,244 (nats). As espécies do oeste formam um contingente mais diversificado, geralmente ocorrendo como árvores do dossel ou emergentes. As espécies do leste constituem um contingente bem menos diversificado, porém com uma alta participação quantitativa como árvores de porte médio do sub-bosque. Aspectos gerais da composição e da estrutura sugerem a importância de árvores do dossel de florestas estacionais interiores como formadoras de ambientes favoráveis para diversas árvores do sub-bosque de florestas pluviais costeiras. Species composition of seasonal forests in Rio Grande do Sul is strongly influenced by two different floristic contingents, one coinciding with the eastern Atlantic forests and other with the western Paranean-Uruguayan forests. A phytosociological survey of a central South-Riograndean forest was carried out to describe the community structure of the tree component and the local participation of different floristic contingents. All trees with DBH > or = 5 cm were recorded in an area of 1 ha, subdivided into 100 square plots of 10 x 10 m. The sampled species were classified according to their geographic distribution into widespread and restricted to eastern or western floristic affinities. The total density per hectare were 1855 individuals, distributed into 23 families, 46 genera and 55 species. The families with highest species richness were Fabaceae and Myrtaceae. The most important species were Gymnanthes concolor Spreng., Euterpe edulis Mart., Sorocea bonplandii (Baill.) Burger, Lanj. & Boer, Pachystroma longifolium (Nees) I.M. Johnst. and Trichilia claussenii C.DC., performing 55.2% of the total of importance values. Species diversity (H') was estimated as 2.244 (nats). The western species form a more diversified contingent, generally occuring as canopy or emergent trees. The eastern species constitute a much less diversified contingent, however with a high quantitative participation as medium-tall trees of the forest understorey. General composition and structural features suggest the importance of canopy trees of interior seasonal forests as providing a suitable habitat for several understorey trees from coastal rain forests.

Ferreira, Gabriel Emiliano, Waechter, Jorge Luiz, Chautems, Alain (2013): Sinningia × vacariensis (Gesneriaceae) from Southern Brazil, the first natural hybrid described for the genus. Phytotaxa 119 (1): 45-50, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.119.1.4, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.119.1.4

Struthanthus martianus Dettke & Waechter is proposed as a replacement name for the illegitimate name Struthanthus vulgaris Mart. ex Eichler, a later homonym of Struthanthus vulgaris (Vell.) Mart. (= Struthanthus marginatus (Desr.) Blume). A neotype for Loranthus vulgaris Vell. is also designated.

A phytosociological survey of vascular epiphytes was performed in a sand-dune forest (restinga) of northeastern Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. A total of 60 host trees (phorophytes) were sampled according to the point-centered quarter method, including trees with at least 10cm of diameter at breast height. The recorded vascular epiphytes belong to 8 families, 20 genera and 31 species, the Orchidaceae and Bromeliaceae being the most diversified. Several additional species were recorded in the whole forest stand with ca. one hectare. Frequency values of vascular epiphytes formed a gradually decreasing sequence of species, the most important being Microgramma vacciniifolia (Polypodiaceae) and Tillandsia eêrenthos (Bromeliaceae). The Shannon index of diversity was estimated (H'= 2,990), using frequency on individual phorophytes as a measure of quantitative participation (pi). The number of vascular epiphytes on individual phorophytes ranged from 4 to 16 species, showing a polymodal distribution and a highest modal value of 8 species.