XVI International Botanical Congess

The sandy coastal plains (restingas) of Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro states in southeastern Brazil have a similar geological history and considerable habitat diversity. Approximately 1400 species have been recorded for these restingas. The floras of Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro are more similar (Sorensen's Index = 0.39) than between this stretch of coast and São Paulo to the south (S.I.=0.17). Multivariate analysis of 15 coastal sites from northern Espirito Santo to southern São Paulo (species presence data) shows that the restingas of southern Rio de Janeiro are more strongly linked floristically to those of São Paulo, while those of northern Rio de Janeiro are more closely linked to those of Espirito Santo.