Biogeography of restinga vegetation in Northern and Northeastern Brazil and their floristic relationships with adjacent ecosystems.

Abstract

Restinga formations are defined as the vegetation covering sandy coastal sediments deposited during the Quaternary period, regardless their physiognomy. They are usually characterized as areas of confluence between plant species associated with diverse phytogeographical domains. However, detailed floristic and biogeographic studies are still required to better define their distribution patterns, the origins of their plant species, and their biogeographical affinities. In this study, we investigate the floristic similarities among restingas in Northern and Northeastern Brazil and diverse ecosystems from different Brazilian phytogeographical domains (Caatinga, Cerrado, Atlantic Forest and Amazonia). We employed multivariate analyses to investigate differences in species composition and identify floristically similar groups. While sharing species with other ecosystems, restingas exhibit unique floristic composition, representing a coastal flora. Furthermore, the restingas of Northern and Northeastern Brazil are biogeographically subdivided according to previously recognized sectors of the coast of the country. These findings underscore the complex nature of restinga ecosystems, influenced by environmental factors such as geographic distance, geology and climate. These insights contribute to a nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between restingas and their surrounding ecosystems, facilitating informed conservation efforts in the face of escalating urban and industrial expansion along the Brazilian coast.