STUDY OF THE SHRUB-TREE LAYER OF RIPARIAN FORESTS IN THE BASIN OF THE TAPEROÁ RIVER, IN THE SEMI-ARID REGION OF PARAÍBA: A PERSPECTIVE ON THE SUSTAINABILITY OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

Abstract

A floristic survey of the shrub-tree layer of riparian forests in the basin of the Taperoá River in the semi-arid region of Paraíba was carried out. Seven sampling sites were distributed along rivers and streams based on the analysis of charts and vegetation maps at the scale 1:100.000. Non-systematic botanical collections were done monthly from June 2002 to September 2005 and the plants were identified by botanical experts or by comparisons with material deposited in the Lauro Pires Xavier Herbarium (JPB). The shrub-tree layer presented 63 species in 52 genera and 26 families. The families with the highest number of species were: Mimosaceae (nine), Euphorbiaceae (seven), Caesalpiniaceae (six) and Fabaceae (six).