Is it the end of the Cerrado domain in the west of state of Paraná (Brazil)? Floristic aspects of Cerrado fragments in Campo Mourão

Abstract

Abstract Currently only a few relicts of Brazilian savanna (Cerrado domain) remain sparsely distributed in state of Paraná. This study catalogued the species of vascular plants occurring in three Cerrado fragments of Campo Mourão. We analysed 4,125 herbarium specimens, 952 of which were collected in the Cerrado fragments, representing 368 species (25 exotic) distributed in 70 families and 241 genera. Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Myrtaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Poaceae, Bignoniaceae, Malvaceae and Apocynaceae were the richest families. Sixty species (16%) were only collected before 1999, with no re-collections after 2000. Among the native species, 51 are endemic to Brazil, and three are confined to the state of Paraná. Six species are regarded as officially endangered in Brazil. We also present the first record of Jacaranda mutabilis for Southern Brazil. Forty-two species are probably locally extinct in Campo Mourão. In the three Cerrado fragments within the municipality, the forest phytophysiognomy is already predominant in these areas, indicating the expansion of Semideciduous Seasonal Forest within the Cerrado fragments. In addition, the presence of exotic species and the lack of legal, environmental protection in the two largest fragments put the future existence of these Cerrado fragments from Campo Mourão at risk.