The distribution of palynomorphs in the superficial sediments on the margin of the Patos lagoon estuary, RS, Brazil, as compared with the actual vegetation

• Published in: Iheringia. Série botanica Vol. 59; no. 2; pp. 183 - 200
• Main Author: Medeanic, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: 01-12-2004
• Subjects: Brackish
• ISSN: 0073-4705

To study the palynomorphs distribution in superficial sediments and to establish the relationship between palynological data on plant taxonomy and botanical data on actual vegetation on the margin of the Patos lagoon estuary, five samples from a recent sandy silt sediments were examinated. Pollen and spores of terrestrial and aquatic plants, zygospores, colonies and coenobies of green algae (Chlorophyta), and fungal spores were identified. The pollen-and-spore assemblages recognized generally coincide with the composition of the actual vegetation in the wetland of the southern Coastal Plain of Rio Grande do Sul. The discrepancies between palynological and botanical data are probably due to different pollen productivity of plants, inequality in pollen and spores transportation capacity, and polen and spores morphological features, which are affected by the conservation in sediments.