Phytosociological Survey in Water Preservation Areas, Southern, Brazil

The research was conducted between March 2013 and July 2014 in preservation areas that protect water resources in the Andreas Stream Basin, RS, and aimed to evaluate the phytosociological structure of these areas, which were established through the Payment for Environmental Services (PES). A total of 83 species, distributed in 72 genera and 34 families were recorded in twenty sampling points. The results of the cluster analysis indicate the occurrence of five groups based on the averages of the Importance Value Index (IVI), highlighting Group 1 that showed the highest average and significant differences (p < 0.05) compared to the other groups, being them: Allophylus edulis (A. St.-Hill., Cambess. & A. J.) R, Casearia silvestres SW, Cupania vernalis Cambess, Inga marginata Willd, Matayba elaeagnoides Radlk. and Nectandra megapotamica (Spreng.) Mez. These species are recommended for restoration in preservation areas that were degraded, highlighting that PES is highly efficient in terms of sustainability.