Bryophytes of Rio Turvo State Park (SP), Brazil: integrating floristics, geographical distribution, reproduction and ecological traits to support the conservation of an Atlantic Forest fragment

Marina Lemy Koga,Denilson Fernandes Peralta

doi:10.1590/0102-33062020abb0377

Abstract

Rio Turvo State Park (RTSP) is a Conservation Unit located within the Atlantic Forest biome in the Vale do Ribeira region of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Considering the lack of knowledge regarding its bryoflora, we performed a floristic inventory of RTSP (following the random-walk method), the results of which we report here including discussion of the geographical distribution (Brazil and worldwide), substrate colonization, life forms and reproduction of the species. We found a total of 414 species, which represents 30 % of all known bryophyte species in Brazil. Dioicous species were predominant over monoicous species, the most colonized substrate was tree trunk (40 % of all species) and the predominant life form was mat (47 %), indicating that the floristic composition is influenced by the environmental conditions of the area (high humidity, dense vegetation and shading). Although anthropogenic intervention is present in RTSP, it harbors huge biodiverse potential, since 22 % of the species are rare. Furthermore, 16 new occurrences were recorded for the State of São Paulo. The information provided by this study exalts the importance of this Conservation Unit in the preservation of bryophytes, as well as all the biodiversity of its included ecosystems.

Highlights

The SNUC Law 9.985/2000 (Sistema Nacional de Unidades de Conservação – National System of Conservation Units) establishes the importance of conservation units in promoting public policies for the protection of natural landscapes, flora, fauna and historical-cultural heritage, the recovery and restoration of degraded areas, economic valorization by the sustainable use of natural resources that remain the subsistence of local populations and ecological tourism (Brasil 2011)
Dioicous species were predominant over monoicous species, the most colonized substrate was tree trunk (40 % of all species) and the predominant life form was mat (47 %), indicating that the floristic composition is influenced by the environmental conditions of the area
The Rio Turvo State Park has a very rich bryoflora, counting with 414 species, which represent 10 % of the Neotropic, 30 % of Brazil and approximately 50 % of the species known for the State of São Paulo

Summary

Introduction

The SNUC Law 9.985/2000 (Sistema Nacional de Unidades de Conservação – National System of Conservation Units) establishes the importance of conservation units in promoting public policies for the protection of natural landscapes, flora, fauna and historical-cultural heritage, the recovery and restoration of degraded areas, economic valorization by the sustainable use of natural resources that remain the subsistence of local populations and ecological tourism (Brasil 2011). It provides the development of scientific research and environmental monitoring studies, as well as a space for discussion, interpretation and environmental education (Brasil 2011). Due to its enormous importance, the Atlantic Forest was declared a National Heritage by the Federal Constitution of 1988 and was granted the Biosphere Reserve title by Unesco (SOS Mata Atlântica 2018)

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