Floristic diversity of epiphitic ferns and lycophytes of montane forest at Itatiaia National Park, Brazil

Abstract The Itatiaia National Park is located in southeastern Brazil, in the highest part of Mantiqueira Mountain Range. A large area of the Park is covered by a Dense Montane Rain Forest, being extremely rich in epiphytic species. The aim of this work was to recognize the species of ferns and lycophytes with higher density index and analyze the abundance of these plants in three elevation zones. It was established three sampling sites between 800 and 1200 m at intervals of 200 m. At each site were established 30 plots of 25m2. Phorophytes were considered natural sample unit of inventoried plants at base of their trunks (0-2 m high). Thirty-six species of epiphytic ferns and lycophytes distributed in 20 genera and nine families were found. The families with highest species richness were Aspleniaceae and Polypodiaceae. Campyloneurum lapathifolium, Mickelia scandens, Blechnum acutum, and Didymoglossum reptans were the most abundant species. The 800 m zone showed a higher diversity than the others.