-(Structure and diversity of the arboreal component of the forest at Caetetus Ecological Station, Gália, SP). Phytosociology of distinct tree strata in tropical forests can be an important tool to understand community dynamics. The arboreal community of an area (6,000 m 2 ) of mature forest was surveyed at the Caetetus Ecological Station, Gália, São Paulo State, Brazil. This protected area has one of the last significant forest remnants in Western São Paulo State, covering an area of 2,178.84 ha in a region where coffee plantation and pasture are dominant. Although the fragment has been protected against fire and exploitation for many years, there are visible edge effects. The sampling area in this study was intended to be representative of the original primary forest, free from edge effects. The arboreal community was divided into three strata: DBH equal to or higher than 5 cm (upper), DBH between 1 and 5 cm (intermediate) and DBH below 1 cm (lower). In each layer, 60 permanent plots, with different sizes were installed, being: 10 x 10 m (upper layer); 10 x 2 m (intermediate layer) and 2 x 2 m (lower layer). The upper stratum had 1,080 ind.ha -1 , 62 species (28 families), being the most important (decreasing order): Metrodorea nigra, Savia dictyocarpa, Ocotea indecora, Aspidosperma polyneuron and Trichilia catigua. The intermediate stratum had 3,525 ind.ha -1 , 30 species (17 families), being the most important: Metrodorea nigra, Actinostemon concolor, Trichilia catigua, Aspidosperma polyneuron and Trichilia claussenii. The density in the lower stratum was 28,875 ind.ha -1 , from 37 species (19 families), being the most abundant, in decreasing relative density: Metrodorea nigra, Actinostemon concolor, Trichilia catigua, Aspidosperma polyneuron and Eugenia blastantha. Some of the species of the upper stratum was absent in the other strata, especially heliophytes, typical from early sucessional stages (e.g. Croton floribundus). Other species had decreasing importance values from the upper to the lower stratum (e.g. Savia dictyocarpa and Ocotea indecora). There were species whose seeds germinated but plants did not grow in the shade (e.g. Cariniana estrellensis). Finally, there was a group of species, typical from late successional stages, that had similar relative density in all strata, e.g. Metrodorea nigra and Aspidosperma polyneuron.RESUMO -(Estrutura e diversidade do componente arbóreo da floresta na Estação Ecológica dos Caetetus, Gália, SP). O estudo fitossociológico, se realizado em diferentes estratos verticais da floresta, fornece dados de grande valia para a compreensão da dinâmica da comunidade. Efetuou-se levantamento das espécies arbóreas presentes em diferentes estratos, em área de 6.000 m 2 de floresta madura, na Estação Ecológica dos Caetetus, Gália, SP. Foram utilizadas 60 parcelas de 10 x 10 m, para indivíduos com diâmetro do caule a 1,30 m acima do nível do solo (DAP) a partir de 5 cm (estrato superior); 10 x 2 m, para indivíduos com DAP entre 1 e 5 cm (estrato intermediário) e 60 sub...

SUMMARYAn extensive search for active (acetylene reducing) nitrogen-fixing root nodules was made amongst Brazilian forest legumes. Seven new nodulated species, including two new nodulating genera, were found in the Caesalpinioideae, 18 new species in the Mimosoideae and 30 new species, including four new genera, in the Papilionoideae. All have potential importance in reafforestation. Fifty-eight new records of non-nodulating species are included. The morphology of all nodules was studied and is discussed in relation to taxonomic position. Preliminary data on nodule structure are given.

RESUMO -(Novas espécies de Lauraceae para a flora brasileira), são descritas e ilustradas duas novas espécies de Ocotea Aublet: Ocotea cryptocarpa e Ocotea curucutuensis. As novas espécies ocorrem respectivamente nos Estados do Espírito Santo (município de Santa Tereza) e São Paulo (município de São Paulo), Brasil.Palavras-chave -novas espécies, Lauraceae, Ocotea ABSTRACT -(New Lauraceae species for the Brasilian flora), two new species of Ocotea Aublet is described and illustrated: Ocotea cryptocarpa and Ocotea curucutuensis. These new species occur, respectively, in the states of Espírito Santo (municipality of Santa Tereza) and São Paulo (municipality of São Paulo), Brazil.

. The objective of this research was to evaluate the conservation status and the importance of forest remnants at Embu (SP, Brazil) for the maintenance of the local plant diversity. A previous classification of the vegetation cover was made with aerial photographs interpretation in order to guide the selection of the forest fragments to be evaluated. In a quick survey, the floristic composition (focused on tree species) and some structural and physiognomic descriptors were recorded to assess the conservation status of the vegetation. Nine remaining forests with areas between four and 35 ha were characterized, totaling 140 ha. Despite of the short time, 197 species were recorded, being 172 trees typical of the Ombrophilous Dense Forest and some species from the Seasonal Semideciduous Forest. Comparing the tree and shrub species between the remaining forests and the Morro Grande Reserve Forest -conservation unit located next to the study site -95 species were found in common and 65 species exclusively occurring at Embu forests. Moreover, seven threatened species according to the state, national and world red lists were recorded. Although these seven species were mostly found in the more mature fragments, some were also found in disturbed ones, indicating that even with the massive occurrence of secondary forests, the maintenance of the forest remnants of Embu may help to preserve some species still not protected in the region. The forest can also contribute to protect water and soil resources and to connect native forest patches, facilitating the gene flow of plant and animal species and, consequently, promoting the maintenance of the Atlantic Forest biodiversity.Keywords: Atlantic Rain forest, tree community, biodiversity. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o grau de conservação e a importância dos remanescentes florestais situados em Embu -SP para a manutenção da diversidade da flora local. Para tanto, realizou-se o mapeamento e a classificação prévia da cobertura vegetal da área, a fim de se selecionarem os fragmentos a serem avaliados. Para determinar o grau de conservação desses fragmentos, efetuou-se levantamento expedito, com ênfase na vegetação arbórea, no qual foram registrados a composição florística e alguns descritores fisionômicos e estruturais. Foram caracterizados nove fragmentos, cujas áreas variaram de aproximadamente quatro a 35 ha, totalizando 140 ha. Apesar de curto, o levantamento possibilitou o registro de 197 espécies, das quais 172 arbóreas e em sua maioria da Floresta Ombrófila Densa mas com algumas espécies da Floresta Estacional Semidecidual. Comparando a composição de espécies arbóreas encontradas nos fragmentos àquela presente na Reserva Florestal do Morro Grande -unidade de conservação localizada próxima à área de estudo -constatou-se a ocorrência de 95 espécies em comum às duas áreas e 65 espécies com ocorrência exclusiva nos fragmentos. Além disso, foram registradas

RESUMO O Morro dos Perdidos está localizado no município de Guaratuba, estado do Paraná (25º45'-25º50'S e 49º03'-49º06'O), abrange uma área de 1440 hectares de Floresta Ombrófila Densa, com altitudes entre 767 a 1439 m. Na área, a família Lauraceae está representada por 15 espécies: Cinnamomum hatschbachii; Cryptocarya aschersoniana; Endlicheria paniculata; Nectandra puberula; Ocotea bicolor; O. catharinensis; O. elegans; O. nunesiana; O. odorifera; O. porosa; O. pulchella; O. tristis; O. vaccinioides; Ocotea sp e Persea willdenovii. São apresentados chave, descrições, ilustrações e comentários sobre as espécies.