Forests of the Iguaçu National Park: Structure, Composition, and Richness

A phytosociological survey of Iguaçu National Park's arboreal vegetation reveals a rich biodiversity with 218 species across 54 families and 135 genera, highlighting the park's advanced ecological succession. Euterpe edulis Mart. emerged as the most frequent species, alongside Aspidosperma polyneuron Müll. Arg., defining seasonal forests in central and southern regions. In contrast, the northern region, at 700 meters above sea level, showcased a transitional environment with Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze and Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil., blending seasonal and ombrophillous forest characteristics. This study addresses a significant gap in scientific knowledge by characterizing the park's forest ecology after seven and a half decades, providing critical insights for conservation efforts.

Souza, R. F., Machado, S. d. A., Galvão, F., Figueiredo Filho, A., & Picoli, A. C. (2018). Forests of the Iguaçu National Park: Structure, Composition, and Richness. Floresta E Ambiente, 26(1). https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087.026715