Diversity and structure of riparian forests in an industrial and urban hub of the Amazon

TL;DR

This study examines the diversity and structure of riparian forests in Barcarena, an industrial area in the Amazon, to inform conservation and restoration efforts.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into riparian forest structure and species diversity in an industrialized Amazon region.

Findings

1385 individuals across 209 species were recorded in riparian forests of Barcarena.

Marajó Bay had lower individual density compared to the Barcarena River.

Floristic similarities were observed despite differences in species richness.

Abstract

Barcarena stands out as an industrial hub in the Eastern Amazon, hosting a range of activities, including industrial operations and urban expansion, that exert intense pressure on riparian forests. These forests play a strategic role in providing ecosystem services such as hydric regulation and product provision. Understanding the structure and floristic diversity of these areas therefore provides insights into environmental management, particularly for environmental licensing and the restoration of degraded areas. This study aimed to assess the diversity of riparian vegetation in areas within the industrial complex of the Eastern Amazon. Riparian forest formations were classified based on their distribution along the three main water systems located in the municipality of Barcarena: the Murucupi River, Marajó Bay, and Barcarena River. In each area, four plots measuring 25 × 100 m (2500 m2) were established, and a floristic inventory was conducted, including all tree and shrub individuals with a diameter ≥ 3.82 cm. A total of 1385 individuals were recorded, distributed across 53 botanical families and 209 species. The area associated with Marajó Bay exhibited a lower individual density than that of the Barcarena River. When standardized by the number of individuals, the species richness of Murucupi River forests was lower than that of the other sites. Nonetheless, similarities in floristic composition were observed among the areas. These results indicated that the conservation of riparian ecosystems in multi-use landscapes requires attention not only to forest structure but also to ecological integrity, as changes in species composition may precede deeper functional losses.

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