<b>Structure and floristic composition of three secondary forest patches in the city of Rio de Janeiro</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v26i4.1525

Abstract

Urban forests offer important environmental services for surrounding and respective population. This paper aims at characterizing three forest patches in the city of Rio de Janeiro. To accomplish the task, a phytosociologic survey was carried out using sampling method and units of 10 x 10 meters, where all the individuals with CBH (circumference breast height) equal or larger than 15 centimeters and the same or superior to three meters high were identified and measured. Results have shown significant differences in floristic composition and structure where the families Leguminosae and Moraceae were predominant in the two fragments of larger diversity and Compositae at the one with smaller diversity. Most of the species belong to pioneer succeeding groups, and zoocory was the most important seed-dispersal strategy