Flowering plants of Contendas do Sincorá National Forest (Caatinga, northeastern Brazil)

Abstract

The Caatinga phytogeographical domain is one of the least protected natural regions of Brazil, erroneously described in the last century as biologically poor. Studies have showed that within the Caatinga domain there are a considerable number of endemic species and genera of plants. The objective of this was to inventory the species of a conservation unit and to compare it with other areas within the Caatinga domain. This study was carried out in the Contendas do Sincora National Forest (FLONA-CS), located of the Chapada Diamantina. Data collection was carried out between 2014 and 2017 in FLONA-CS, from random tracks. A total of 274 species were recorded, distributed in 162 genera and 52 families, with predominance of species belonging to the family Fabaceae (66 spp.), Euphorbiaceae (25 spp.), Malvaceae (19 spp.) and Cactaceae (18 spp.). Among the species, 40 of them are endemic to the Caatinga and five are in some degree of threat of extinction. The FLONA-CS floristic survey recorded a high floristic diversity, reinforcing the importance of studies on caatinga vegetation in conservation units, since it adds information to management and conservation.