Abstract

CALZADILLA, José J.  and  LAREZ R, América. Flora and vegetation of the Aragua river upper basin, municipio Piar, Monagas State, Venezuela. Acta Bot. Venez. [online]. 2008, vol.31, n.1, pp.251-272. ISSN 0084-5906.

The floristic composition of the Aragua river upper basin, located at the foothill of the Eastern Coastal Cordillera (320-580 m asl) was evaluated between 2001-2006. The area is covered by a mosaic of savannas, which may contain isolated woody elements, gallery  forest, deciduous forest, and secondary vegetation in logged and farmed areas. In this study 522 species, 364 genera and 105 families were identified, the most diverse families include Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Asteracae, Mimosaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Rubiaceae, Poaceae, Bignoniaceae and Malvaceae. This zone has a rich vascular plant flora, with 96 species not represented on the adjacent floristic regions. Fires, nonsustainable agriculture and wood extraction are the main threats for this river basin.

Keywords : Coastal cordillera; deciduous forest; floristics; gallery forest; Monagas; Aragua; Venezuela.