Abstract Half of the territory in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) state is composed of degraded areas. This work evaluated the profile, distribution, and production capacity of plant nurseries in RJ which produce forest seedlings, as well as their species’ richness. The potential to meet the increased demand arising from environmental commitments in different hydrographic regions was also analyzed. We identified 81 active forest seedling nurseries and 73 of them participated in our interview, by adopting a regional survey. Nearly one-third of the nurseries closed down in this region in the last decade. A high richness of species in the nurseries (977 species, 99 native species/nursery) was found, representing 22% of the regional flora. Most of this species’ richness is exclusively produced by small nurseries. The current production of the nurseries is capable of supplying less than 1% of the potential demand for seedlings for restoring priority watershed areas in the state.

RESUMO Este trabalho quantificou a biomassa aérea e o conteúdo de nutrientes de bromélias terrestres na floresta de duna na Restinga da Marambaia, RJ. Dados de indivíduos em “quadrats” (4 m2) demarcados numa linha perpendicular ao mar foram coletados em agosto de 2001. Diâmetro (d) e altura (h) foram as variáveis que melhor se correlacionaram com a biomassa aérea de Quesnelia quesneliana, que apresentou a maior biomassa e concentrações de K. Número total de folhas foi a variável que melhor se correlacionou com a biomassa em Billbergia amoena e Neoregelia cruenta. N. cruenta apresentou as maiores concentrações de N e P. O conteúdo de nutrientes foi maior em Q. quesneliana.

ABSTRACT This study quantified the aboveground biomass and nutrient contents in terrestrial bromeliads in a dune forest at Restinga da Marambaia, RJ. Data of individuals in “quadrats” (4 m2) marked on a line perpendicular to the sea were collected in August 2001. Diameter (d) and height (h) were the variables that best correlated with the biomass of Quesnelia quesneliana, which presented highest biomass and concentrations of K. The total number of leaves was the variable that best correlated with the biomass of Billbergia amoena and Neoregelia cruenta. N. cruenta presented the highest concentrations of N and P. Nutrient contents were higher in Q. quesneliana.

Abstract This study was made to evaluate the contribution of Neoregelia cruenta in dune soil fertility in a dune at Restinga Marambaia (RJ). Soil samples were collected in the depth of 0-5 and 5-15 cm under bromelia covering and in adjacent area (5m of distance). Higher values of P and Ca were observed under bromelia vegetation, but small influence on the content of total organic carbon, were observed. The results demonstrate the importance of the herbaceous covering in the soil fertility in sandy coastal environments.

Resumo Este estudo foi realizado para avaliar a contribuição de Neoregelia cruenta na fertilidade do solo em uma duna na Restinga Marambaia (RJ). Foram coletadas amostras de terra nas profundidades de 0-5 e 5-15 cm debaixo de cobertura de bromélias e em área adjacente (5m de distância). Foram observados valores mais elevados de P e Ca sob a vegetação de bromélia, porém pequena influência desta no conteúdo de carbono orgânico total. Os resultados demonstram a importância da cobertura herbácea na fertilidade do solo em ambientes costeiros.