The Massambaba environmental protection area: Flora and vegetation

Abstract

The Massambaba Environmental Protection Area was created in 1986 and is administered by the State Environmental Protection Agency (FEEMA). It has an area fo 76.3 km2 of sandy coastal plains, lagoons and low hills in the municipalities of Saquarema, Araruama and Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro state. The coastal plain consists of two beach ridges and a dune field. The climate of the Cabo Frio region is unique in southeastern Brazil in that annual rainfall is only 900 mm, and floristic diversity is the highest in the coastal region. It is one of Brazil?s 14 Centers of Plant Diversity. Ten plant communities are described for this conservation unit and there are 664 species in 118 families on the list of vascular plants. Leguminosae and Myrtaceae are the most species-rich families. The most abundant life forms on the list are herbs (30%), followed by shrubs (23%), trees (21%), lianas (19%), epiphytes (6%) and parasites/saprophytes (1%). The conservation unit protects several endangered species.