The biodiversity of the Orchidaceae family species presenting potential ornamental, medical and nutritional values was studied. Águas de Santa Bárbara (Brazil) was chosen due to the presence of gallery forests along the rivers Pardo and Novo, due to the occurrence of areas covered with Savannah vegetation and also due to the risks of environmental degradation by the presence of intense tourist and industrial activities in the area. Mapping and evaluation of the species with potential for ornamental purposes were done with the objective of developing techniques for their cultivation. Farms and areas of preservation with gallery forest, as well as some areas covered with Savannah vegetation located in Rio Novo and Rio Pardo counties were visited and data on the average temperature and relative air humidity were collected. Predominant species found in the area belong to the genus Brassavola, Catassetum, Cattleya, Eulophidium, Epidendrum, Ionopsis, Microlaelia, Oncidium, Pleurothallis, Polystachya and Rodriguezia, indicating the large biodiversity present in the area. Most of these species are micro orchids with no ornamental value. However due to the presence of great genetic variability they could be used for breeding purposes.
Species; survey; native; biodiversity
