The 80-hectare site (22º59'03"S and 43º38'59"W), is one of the last forest remnants in Rio de Janeiro municipality, where brazilwood (Caesalpinia echinata Lam.) occurs naturally. Furthermore, three other endangered species occur in this area: Cariniana ianeirensis R. Knuth, Acosmium lentiscifolium Spreng., and Machaerium incorruptible (Vell.) Fr. All. ex Benth. Trees were sampled according to the point-centered-quarter method. The inclusion criteria was PBH >15cm; a total of 200 points were surveyed. The floristic composition was comprised of the sampled individuals plus species collected during random forays inside the forest. A total of 69 species were obtained, in 58 genera and 29 families. The most species-rich families were Leguminosae (13), Myrtaceae (6), Euphorbiaceae (5) and Bignoniaceae, Bombacaceae, Celastraceae, Flacourtiaceae, Moraceae, Rubiaceae and Solanaceae (3). The floristic composition of Serra da Capoeira Grande Environmental Protection Area was compared to 18 other forest areas in Rio de Janeiro State. Greater floristic similarity was observed between this forest and those near the sea at lower altitudes. Similarity was low for all forests, showing the high biological diversity of Rio de Janeiro forests.
floristics; Atlantic forest; forest fragments; conservation
