Floristic diversity in agroforestry systems in the state of Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

The present article brings together existing plant diversity in agroforestry systems (AFS) in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The survey was carried out with digital databases, using terms in Portuguese and English, such as: ‘‘sistemas agroflorestais RJ’’, ‘‘agrofloresta RJ’’, ‘‘agroforestry RJ’’, and ‘‘agroforestry systems RJ’’, with fourteen AFSs being verified. The species present in the agroforests of Rio de Janeiro were listed when present in at least five of the fourteen AFSs found (35.71%). Fifteen species (8.82%) were among the most common, out of a total of 170 different species found, demonstrating the diversity of AFSs. Plant species are located in the following cities in the state of Rio de Janeiro: Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Três Rios, Paraty and Nova Friburgo. The most mentioned species were papaya (Carica papaya L.) and annatto (Bixa orellana L.). More AFSs were analyzed in the Metropolitan Region within the state of Rio de Janeiro, highlighting the municipality of Seropédica. Agroforests can contribute to the conservation or restoration of plant diversity, while promoting food and nutritional sovereignty and security, community subsistence, and local commercialization, among other benefits.