CONSERVAÇÃO DAS FLORESTAS DO PROJETO DE ASSENTAMENTO BENFICA, SUDESTE DA AMAZÔNIA

Abstract

In this study we analyze the floristic and structure of forest remnants in Benfica Settlement Project located in the municipality of Itupiranga, in southeastern Amazon. Eleven areas of forests located in different properties and different levels of disturbance were selected. Within each area, plants in one plot of 500 m2, were surveyed considering three strata: upper, middle and inferior. The species were classified in five life forms: tree, scrub, liana, palm and herb; and two functional groups, the pioneer and forest species. Two houndred and eighty-six (286) species, 173 genera and 68 families were found. Most woody species (51 %) occurred in only one stratum. The richness of species was 70 % of estimated richness by Jack-nife of first order. The percentage of rare species was high, 138 species occurred in only one area. In all strata, the trees had higher density, except in inferior stratum, where the grasses were denser. The forest species, in all strata, were dominant. There was significant difference between the forest and pioneer in all forms of life, in all strata. The principal components analysis showed heterogeneity among the studied plots, forming three groups which appear to be related to the different disturbance levels.