ABSTRACT
This work is a contribution to the “Projeto Flora do Estado do Rio de Janeiro” and its objectives are: to present a cheklist of the bryophyte taxa to the state; to make a diagnosis of the diversity and importance of the bryophyte taxa in the conservation of the ecosystems; to create a data base for the bryophyte taxa. In total are recognized 1,039 taxa in 308 genera and 95 families of bryophytes to the state, of which 11 are new records. The 10 largest families account for 50% of the total diversity. For the hepatics, the neotropical distribution pattern predominate and for the mosses, the endemic to Brazil. In relation to the altitude variation, the hepatics show the highest diversity in the lowland to montane areas, while the mosses in the montane and uppermontane ones. There are 91 counties in the state, and only 34 present records of the bryophytes. One hundred and twenty five taxa are considered vulnerable (VU), 25 endangered (EN) and 147 with deficient data (DD), the remains had been enclosed in the low risk (LR). There are 38 Units of Conservation in the state, 9 are considered priorities for floristic surveys of bryophytes and 13 are important centers of diversity in the state. Eighteen areas are indicated as priorities for implantation of new Conservation Units or enlargement of already the existing ones.
Key-words:
Bryophytes; conservation; Rio de Janeiro state; Brazil