Fragmented Biodiversity: Ferns and Lycophytes From Forest Fragments in Juiz De Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

The Atlantic Forest is one of the most threatened formations in the world. In this context, the urbanization process stands out as one of the major factors causing environmental degradation, mainly due to the loss of native vegetation and habitat destruction. In order to fill this gap, we carried out the inventory of ferns and lycophytes in the forest remnants of the municipality of Juiz de Fora. We analyzed more than 1,353 samplings recorded throughout approximately 150 years, as result we recorded a total of 174 species distributed in 73 genera and 26 families. The most representative families were Pteridaceae with 32 species, followed by Polypodiaceae with 26 and Thelypteridaceae with 20. In addition, we present the historical data on the sampling of ferns and lycophytes, as well as the history of the fragmentation process of the Atlantic Forest remnants in the municipality. Juiz de Fora becomes an interesting model for broader floristic studies, generating subsequent subsidies for conservation actions and preservation of the natural patrimony.