Phytogeographical Characteristics of the Guianan Forests

Summary In a brief introduction to the Guianan area (location, geomorphology and climate), the author gives a short description of the main forest types occurring in the Guianas: upland moist forest, montane and lower montane forest, inundated forests, transition forests, and forests on white sand soils. Then, the distribution patterns of selected plant groups represented in the Guianan lowland forest region (Meliaceae, Caryocaraceae, Tabernaemontanoideae, Musaceae, Zingiberaceae, Arecaceae, Passifloraceae, Lindsaea, Ochnaceae) are analyzed. The endemism and floristic affinities of the Guianan forests are briefly discussed in relation to the theory of the South American forest refugia.