Pollen deposition in soil sediments from the middle valley of Paraíba do Sul river (São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro States)

Abstract

The present investigation aims to contribute to the knowledge of recent pollen deposition in the surface of soils of several types of vegetation, disturbed or not by human activities. In sequence, it intends to establish models of deposition and preservation of palynomorphs in the future. Four sites were selected in the middle valley of Paraíba do Sul river, a region of former coffee plantation: Campinho (municipal district of Bananal, SP), Campo Alegre (municipal district of Arapeí, SP), Fazenda Bahia (municipal district of Resende, RJ) and Cafundó-Colônia (municipal district of Barra Mansa, RJ). The methodology used of samples collection and chemical treatment used the standard methodology in Palynology. The results obtained in all the localities analyzed reflect the current conditions of the regional vegetation, altered by human activities. The localities present a predominance of grasses and ruderal plants, characterizing pasture and grassland vegetation. It was also possible to establish a relationship between the state of preservation of the analyzed palynomorphs, the factors responsible for preservation and the respective environmental implications.