Bryophyte flora of two natural parks in Amapá: Richness, composition and new records

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the richness and composition of the bryophytes of two Municipal Natural Parks in Amapá, eastern Amazon. Bryophytes were collected in the Arivaldo Gomes Barreto Municipal Natural Park (AGBMNP), Macapá municipality, and Cancão Municipal Natural Park (CMNP), Serra do Navio municipality, in October 2010 and October 2012, respectively. Ten plots of 10 x 10 m were established in each park for sampling, and, in addition, random collections were made, in order to maximize the knowledge on the local bryophyte flora. In total, 53 species were identified in AGBMNP, and 110 species in CMNP. The results shown a lower richness in AGBMNP than in CMNP, which may be related to the own size of each park, the level of conservation, and its localization. In terms of abundance, the neotropical pattern and the species locally rare were most representative in both parks, however, the floristic composition diverged. The AGBMNP is composed mostly by generalist species, while the CMNP by both generalists and shade specialists. The present study recorded 54% of the known bryophyte flora of Amapá, 63 new records for the state and, in addition, three new records for the North region of Brazil.