Analysis of floristic composition and structure of a tract of terra firme forest and of an adjacent mangrove stand on the Ajuruteua peninsula in Bragança, Pará

Abstract

The current article provides data about floristic composition and forest structure of a terra firme forest fragment and a mangrove stand on Ajuruteua Peninsula, Bragança, Pará. The fragment is situated next to mangrove forest, without being exposed to tidal inundation. Compared to the mangrove, density and basal area are distinctly higher in terra firme forest (2320.0±736.1/417.7±349.6 indiv..ha-1; 25.2±11.0/9.1±5.3 m2.ha-1 for terra firme and mangrove forest, respectively). Three tree species form the mangrove forest, Rhizophora mangle, being the dominant species. Among the 40 families (71 species) found in terra firme, Arecaceae, Burseraceae (represented exclusively by Protium heptaphyllum) and Simaroubaceae (represented by Simarouba amara reach high importance values. Terra firme forest differs in species composition and complexity from restinga dune forest found in other parts of the peninsula. The high importance of palms in the terra firme forest could indicate influence of man in the past.

Keywords

• Floristics
• Forest structure
• Terra firme
• Mangrove
• Bragança