Campinarana, Fitofisionomias; Neossolos Quartzarênicos.

 

Campinarana, Phytophysiognomies; Quartzarenic Neosols.

Campinaranas are white sand ecosystems (EAB, acronym in Portuguese) found in fragmented and interspersed areas in the landscape of the Amazon Biome. In the most recent review of EABs, areas of open vegetation similar to the fields and savannas of the southern Amazon were identified in the Maranhão Amazon, but none considered a white sand ecosystem. With the aim of expanding floristic knowledge of the white sand areas of the Maranhão Amazon, we will carry out floristic sampling in three white sand areas of western Maranhão previously selected using available satellite images. For the sampling, we will use the “caminhamento” method and the specimens will be herborized following the usual techniques. As preliminary results, we carried out two field expeditions, one during the rainy season (May) and the other during the dry season (October). We sampled a total of 231 individuals, distributed among the three areas. Of this total, 74 species were sampled in area 1; 78 species in area 2 and 79 species in area 3. The floristic list contains a total of 130 species distributed in 43 families. The most representative families to date include Cyperaceae, Melastomataceae, Eriocaulaceae, Rubiaceae, Ochnaceae and Orchidaceae. Of this total, 72 are identified at the specific level, 46 at the generic level and 12 are identified at the family level. Among the samples analyzed, we identified a new species of Asteraceae, which is being described. We also hope that the data obtained can provide relevant information about the Maranhão biodiversity and expand knowledge of the state white sand areas.