Abstract
This study aimed to carry out a phytosociological survey in a riparian area of an intermittent stream in the semi-arid region of Paraíba, Brazil. Fifty-one contiguous plots of 10 × 20 m (1.02 ha) were distributed along the watercourse. Living and dead shrub-tree individuals, still standing, with stem diameter at ground level (DGL) ≥ 3 cm and total height ≥ 1 m were sampled. Fifty-one species distributed in 22 families were sampled. Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Anacardiaceae had the highest species richness. Aspidosperma pyrifolium Mart. & Zucc., Combretum monetaria Mart., and Cenostigma pyramidale (Tul.) E. Gagnon & G.P. Lewis had the highest importance values. Shannon index was 2.61 nats.ind.−1 and the total basal area was 25.4 m2. Height and diameter mean values were 5.4 m and 12.4 cm, respectively. Phytosociological parameters recorded for the studied riparian vegetation have higher values in comparison with those obtained in other areas of the caatinga.
Highlights
AND OBJECTIVESThe course of human evolution was defined by its proximity to watercourses, of which banks were comprised of forests and were used by humans to supply their immediate needs (Lacerda, 2016)
Living individuals were distributed into 51 species, 43 genera, and 22 families
These authors recognize the absence of estimates of this parameter in areas of native vegetation in the semi-arid region of Brazil
Summary
The course of human evolution was defined by its proximity to watercourses, of which banks were comprised of forests and were used by humans to supply their immediate needs (Lacerda, 2016) According to this author, all these aspects denoted values that have been expanded over time, and currently the riparian vegetation has immense potentialities in the pharmacological, food and artisanal fields. Riparian forests contribute to the water table supply, protect fountainheads and prevent soil erosion, reduce impacts on aquatic biota, and are closely related to water quality for human and animal consumption, in addition to being related to energy generation and irrigation (Lima & Zakia, 2009). These forest formations have high biodiversity and are important ecological corridors. Attanasio et al (2006) point out that these forests provide organic matter, such as trunks and branches, for river food webs, create microhabitats in watercourses, and protect flora and fauna species
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