In this study, we carried out a survey of the floristic composition, phytosociological structure, ecological groups, and dispersal syndromes of the species occurring in riparian zones in the highlands of Santa Catarina state in order to select species for recovery programs. The study area is located in the municipality of Otacílio Costa. We employed the point-centered quadrant method allocated in twenty transects with twenty points each. The following species presented the highest importance values and recovery potentials: Sebastiania commersoniana (Baill.) L.B.S.m. & Downs, Mimosa scabrella Benth., Cinnamomum amoenum (Nees & Mart.) Kosterm., Lithraea brasiliensis Marchand, Ocotea pulchella (Nees & Mart.) Mez, Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil., Matayba elaeagnoides Raldk., Ilex theezans Mart. ex Reissek and Vernonanthura discolor (Spreng.) H.Rob. These species represent different ecological groups, and zoochory is the most important dispersion syndrome. The high diversity of tree species shows the richness of these locations, which are often overlooked in recovery projects.
Araucaria forest; floristic composition; environmental group