Diversidade oculta da floresta: riqueza de briófitas na Reserva Jutuarana, APA de Alter do Chão (PA)

Abstract

This study presents a floristic survey of bryophytes from the Reserva da Jutuarana, located within the Environmental Protection Area (APA) of Alter do Chão, in Santarém, Pará, Brazil. The research aimed to assess species richness and their distribution across different substrates, contributing to the knowledge of Amazonian bryoflora and supporting conservation strategies. Three field expeditions were carried out using the free-walking method, resulting in 126 collected samples, of which 33 species were identified, belonging to 24 genera and 8 families. Most species were from the phylum Bryophyta (mosses), contrary to the regional pattern where liverworts (Marchantiophyta) are more dominant. Lejeuneaceae was the most representative family among liverworts, while Calymperaceae and Sematophyllaceae stood out among mosses. The most colonized substrates were live tree trunks and decomposing wood, followed by rocks and leaves. The dominant life forms were mats and wefts, reflecting adaptation to humid and shaded microclimates. The coexistence of widely distributed species with rare and potentially new taxa highlights the ecological heterogeneity of the area and its potential for conservation. This research underscores the importance of the Jutuarana Reserve as a refuge for bryophyte diversity and emphasizes the need to integrate scientific research, environmental education, and sustainable practices into the management policies of the APA Alter do Chão.