Flora do campo das vertentes: levantamento de espécies herbáceas e arbustivas dos biomas abertos no Parque Ecológico Quedas do Rio Bonito e tratamento taxonômico de rubiaceae no complexo de Serras de Carrancas e região

Abstract

The rupestrian fields and cerrado areas primarily occur at altitudes above 900 meters in mountains with Precambrian rocks. They are mainly associated with quartzite, sandstone, and iron ore outcrops. Rupestrian fields are known for their high degree of endemism, mainly due to many species having a restricted distribution to small areas, which means they are constantly at risk of extinction. The survival of these species depends on protecting the environment, requiring knowledge of the vegetation where they are found. This work (Article I) aimed to evaluate the diversity of the herbaceous-shrub layer in the rupestrian fields and cerrado areas of the Quedas do Rio Bonito Forest Park located in Lavras, Minas Gerais. The aim of (Article II) was to conduct a taxonomic treatment of the species of the Rubiaceae family found in the Carrancas Mountain Complex and the region located in the Campos das Vertentes. In Article I, 557 species were recorded, distributed across 73 botanical families, with the most representative being Asteraceae (141), Poaceae (43), Melastomataceae (33), Fabaceae (28), Cyperaceae (23), Rubiaceae (22), Orchidaceae (19), Malpighiaceae (18), Apocynaceae, and Myrtaceae (15). Among the recorded species, 16 appear in the Red List of Threatened Species, four in the Endangered category, and one in the Critically Endangered category, Cattleya endsfeldzii, which is also endemic to the region. In Article II, 681 specimens from Herbário ESAL, where most of the collections from the complex are housed, were analyzed. This study recorded 26 genera and 51 species, with Borreria and Palicourea having the highest number of species (5), followed by Cordiera, Galianthe, and Psychotria, each with four species. The Complex represents 37.5% of the 69 genera occurring in Minas Gerais, and 13.5% of the 371 species in the state are in the study area. This work expands the knowledge of the flora in the Campos das Vertentes region. It contributes significantly to protecting these species, which have suffered due to anthropogenic factors, especially those related to climate change.