From the end of Reconstruction to the beginning of World War II, no other ecological change affected as great a part of the southern landscape as the loss of the longleaf pine from the southeastern coastal plain. This dissertation examines the causes and consequences of the species’ disappearance. In the span of just decades, lumber operations and naval stores producers descended upon longleaf pine woodlands with a voracious appetite that greatly contributed to the demise of the pine. However, as this dissertation argues, exploitation by the hands of the timber and turpentine industries was not the only agent that transformed the ecoregion. The development of American conservation and forestry, ironically, played a significant role in this process and contributed to the rise of a new southern forest, now stocked with another pine – the loblolly. By looking at the biologists, chemists, and foresters who studied the longleaf for the United States Department of Agriculture and various state agencies from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century, this dissertation traces how forest sciences in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era shaped the modern ecology of the South. These sciences, too, were entangled in the social and political realities of Jim Crow. Researchers had to ensure that their measures conformed to a segregated society if conservation was to take root in southern woodlands. The conservation practices that federal and state agents put into place as forestry developed into an important and profitable science had profound impacts on not only the land but also those at the bottom of a racial caste system.

No description available.

The Virginia Runoff Reduction Method (RRM) was adopted in 2014 as a compliance tool for evaluation of stormwater volume and quality, and necessitates use of urban stormwater best management practices (BMPs) to meet regulatory standards. Coastal Virginia is characterized by flat terrain, shallow water tables, and low permeable soils that may limit the application of BMPs as recommended by state regulations. Soil morphological features are often used to estimate the seasonal high water table (SHWT) for initial feasibility, but existing soil data misrepresented expected SHWT depths in the Virginia Beach, VA, study area. A GIS-based methodology relying on perennial surface water elevations and USGS groundwater monitoring data was developed to estimate the SHWT depth in Virginia Beach. The SHWT map was shown to be consistently more reliable than available predictions based on soil morphology, and was used as input to a BMP siting tool. The tool, known as BMP Checker, was developed to explore how flat terrain, shallow water tables, and poor soils influence BMP siting in coastal Virginia. The BMP Checker algorithm was validated on 11 Virginia Beach sites before application on 10,000 ft2 (929 m2) area sections across the city. Citywide application showed that the most widely applicable BMPs in the study area include wet ponds that intercept groundwater and constructed wetlands. Conversely, sheet flow to conservation area and infiltration practices are the least applicable. Because the RRM assigns more credit to infiltration-based practices, sites in Virginia Beach may find it difficult to meet regulatory standards. / Master of Science

This research investigated the long-term effects of transitioning from intensive tillage to no-till (NT) practices with cover crop (CC) incorporation on soil quality, agronomic performance, and economic returns in Virginia's Coastal Plain. Nine years after integrating NT practices and CCs, improvements in soil physical and chemical properties were observed, including a 22% to 65% increase in soil organic matter (SOM) in the top 5 cm, a 4% reduction in bulk density, and enhanced soil moisture retention in corn production. Timing of CC termination played a crucial role in optimizing biomass production and nutrient accumulation. Overall accumulation rates were 44.4 kg dry biomass ha-1 d-1, 1.22 kg N ha-1 d-1, 0.16 kg P ha-1 d-1, 1.36 kg K ha-1 d-1, and 0.08 kg S ha-1 d-1 of delayed termination between March 15 and April 30. Each additional day of cover crop growth contributed to a fertilizer value of $3.91 ha-1, highlighting the economic advantage of extending CC growth during this critical period. In 2023, CC effects on corn N fertilizer demand and yields were assessed by applying variable N rates of 0, 56, 112, and 168 kg N ha-1 at sidedressing. Greatest corn yields at each N rate were observed following hairy vetch and a vetch-dominant CC mix, which had low C:N ratios (≤12:1) and accumulated 134 to 186 kg N ha-1 in their aboveground biomass. Corn yields after these CCs were 8.5 to 9.3 Mg ha-1 at the zero N sidedressing rate, increasing to 10.8 to 11.3 Mg ha-1 at the 168 kg N ha-1 rate. However, increasing the N rate yielded minimal economic benefits for these treatments. Vetch treatments produced the highest net returns, with greater returns at lower N rates, as vetch generated an additional US$1,012 ha-1 at the zero N sidedressing rate compared to the no CC control. Conversely, cereal rye produced a negative net return across all N rates, with positive returns achievable only with state cost-share payments. The findings underscore the importance of adaptive N management strategies and policy adjustments to support environmentally and economically sustainable cover crop practices in corn production. / Doctor of Philosophy / This research examines long-term benefits of switching from intensive tillage to no-till (NT) farming with cover crops (CC) on soil health, crop performance, and economic returns in Virginia's Coastal Plain. After nine years of using NT and CCs, we saw significant improvements in soil quality: soil organic matter in the top 5 cm increased by 22% to 65%, bulk density decreased by 4%, and soil moisture retention improved in corn crops. The timing of cover crop termination was crucial for maximizing biomass and nutrient benefits. Delaying termination from March 15 to April 30 resulted in additional dry biomass and nutrients, translating into a fertilizer value of $3.91 per hectare for every day of extra growth. In 2023, we assessed how different nitrogen (N) rates affected corn yields and fertilizer needs. Best yields were achieved with hairy vetch and vetch-dominant cover crops, which had low carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratios and accumulated significant N in their biomass. Although these cover crops improved yields, increasing N rates returned minimal economic gains. Vetch treatments provided the highest net returns, especially at lower N rates, generating an additional $1,012 per hectare compared to no cover crop. In contrast, cereal rye resulted in negative returns across all N rates, unless state cost-share payments were applied. These results highlight the need for flexible N management strategies and policy changes to support effective and profitable cover crop practices in corn farming.

This study aims to integrate groundwater geochemistry and mathematical modeling to determine the dominant geochemical processes and groundwater residence time within the Wilcox aquifer in the northern Gulf Coastal Plain. Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for major ion chemistry, stable isotopes (18O, 2H, and 13C), and radioisotope 36Cl content. Geochemical modeling enabled the identification of major sources and sinks of solutes in the aquifer. A two-dimensional, finite-difference, numerical model was used to determine the deep groundwater flow rate and transport of 36Cl in the aquifer. Major ion chemistry shows a chromatographic pattern along the flow path in which a gradual increase of Na+ and decrease of Ca2+ and Mg2+ is evident. The most plausible inverse models in the downgradient section of the aquifer indicate that oxidation of organic matter (OM), which may be associated with discontinuous lenses of lignite, and consequent release of CO2 sustain the reduction of Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides and sulfate and the dissolution of carbonate minerals (calcite and, in some instances, siderite). These processes, in turn, result in pyrite precipitation and exchange of Ca2+ for Na+ on clay-mineral surfaces. Models constrained with 13C are consistent with mole transfers between pairs of wells in close proximity, but not for the entire flow path. The observed range of δ13C of dissolved inorganic carbon (-7.3‰ to -12.4‰) is interpreted as a result of both oxidation of OM and dissolution of carbonates. Calculated values of 36Cl/Cl show an abrupt discontinuity between the upgradient and downgradient sections that was also observed in δ18O and δ2H data. The gradual enrichment of 18O and 2H along the flow path could be the result of diffusion. The distinct differences in δ18O and δ2H between the upgradient and downgradient Wilcox aquifer suggest that the latter preserves a paleoclimatic signal.

Este trabalho avalia a potencialidade do emprego da sísmica de reflexão para mapear os depósitos sedimentares quaternários e o embasamento na planície costeira de Bertioga (SP). Foi feita uma aquisição CMP em uma linha perpendicular à costa e aplicado o fluxograma de processamento convencional utilizado em sísmica de reflexão. Na região estudada estão presentes o embasamento ígneo-metamórfico pré-cambriano e sedimentos de origem marinha, estuarino-lagunar/lacustre-paludial, fluvial e de encosta, de idades pleistocênicas e holocênicas. São descritos os procedimentos adotados para a escolha da área dos ensaios, para os testes de análise de ruídos, e para a aquisição CMP. Nas condições da área, a fonte de impacto tipo marreta forneceu melhores resultados em comparação com a fonte do tipo compactador de solos utilizando-se a técnica Mini-Sosie. O método mapeou dois contatos importantes com boa continuidade: o topo rochoso e uma interface que separa camadas sedimentares dentro das unidades do Quaternário. Além disso, permitiu inferir a existência de uma falha normal afetando o embasamento e sedimentos. Para a obtenção de uma seção geológica final, os resultados da sísmica de reflexão foram integrados aos resultados obtidos por outros autores do mesmo registro sísmico utilizando os métodos de tomografia por ondas P refratadas e o da análise multicanal de ondas superficiais. A sísmica de reflexão se mostrou uma potencial ferramenta para ser aplicada em ambientes costeiros, podendo trazer importantes subsídios para estudos da evolução geológica. / This work evaluates the potentiality of the seismic reflection method to mapping quaternary sedimentary deposits in the Bertioga (SP) coastal plain. A CMP acquisition was done in a perpendicular line to the coast and it was applied a conventional processing flow used in shallow reflection seismic. The geology of the study area comprises the Pre-Cambrian basement formed by igneous-metamorphic rocks, which is covered by Holocene and Pleistocene sediments of marine, estuarine-lagoonal/lacustrine-marshy, fluvial and of hillside origins. Its described the procedures adopted to choose the study area, to execute the walkaway noise tests and to acquire and analyse the CMP data. For the local geological conditions the sledge hammer gave better results compared to vibrator source used with the Mini-Sosie method. The seismic reflection method has mapped two important interfaces, the basement and the contact between two different sedimentary units, besides a geologic fault. Aiming the elaboration of a final geological section, the seismic reflection results were complemented with the results of other authors with the same data recorded, using Tomography Applied to P Refracted Waves and Multi Channel Surface Waves Analysis. The seismic reflection method shows to be a potential tool to be used in coastal environments and can contribute to the geological evolution study of the coastal plain.

O Sistema Laguna-Barreira III é o sistema deposicional pleistocênico mais preservado do sul da Planície Costeira do Rio Grande do Sul. A origem dessa unidade está correlacionada ao alto nível do mar do último estágio interglacial, mas até agora pouco se conhece sobre sua evolução e estratigrafia devido à escassez de afloramentos. Uma assembleia de fósseis constituída por milhares de bivalves e gastrópodes foi recuperada de perfurações e sondagens SPT (Standard Penetration Test), em profundidades de até 17 metros, realizadas sobre essa unidade. A caracterização desses fósseis e a análise dos sedimentos e dos dados dos SPTs permitiu identificar depósitos de retrobarreira representando uma sequência retrogradacional caracterizada por fácies de fundo e margem lagunar sobrepostas por fácies eólicas arenosas, recobertas por depósitos de loess. A assembleia de fósseis, encontrada em depósitos de fundo e margem lagunar, é dominada por moluscos bivalves e gastrópodes, em sua maioria característicos de ambiente marinho franco raso (≤ 30 metros), mas também inclui alguns bivalves típicos de ambiente lagunar, como Erodona mactroides e Anomalocardia brasiliana A presença de espécies que não vivem atualmente nessa região sugere a influência de águas costeiras mais quentes durante o último estágio interglacial. O bom estado de preservação da maior parte da assembleia de moluscos, sem sinais de abrasão, bioerosão ou incrustação, indica curto tempo de residência na interface sedimento-água após a morte, seguido por rápido soterramento abaixo da Zona Tafonomicamente Ativa (TAZ). A presença de espécies marinhas juntamente com espécies de ambientes mixohalinos de baixa energia indica o transporte de sedimentos e fauna marinhos para a retrobarreira, o que teria ocorrido durante a fase transgressiva da evolução do Sistema III. Esse processo poderia estar relacionado ao aumento de tempestades durante o último interglacial, promovendo o transporte de grandes quantidades de sedimentos e conchas da face praial para a retrobarreira através de sobrelavagem da barreira (overwash) e abertura de inlets efêmeros. / The Barrier-Lagoon System III is the most preserved Pleistocene depositional system in the southern Coastal Plain of Rio Grande do Sul. The origin of this unit is correlated to the sea-level highstand of the last interglacial stage, but so far very little is known about the evolution and stratigraphy of this unit due to the scarcity of outcrops. A fossil assemblage consisting of thousands of bivalve and gastropod shells were recovered from drilling holes and SPT (Standard Penetration Test) surveys performed at depths up to 17 meters on that unit. The characterization of these fossils in addition to the analysis of the sediments and SPT data allowed to identify backbarrier deposits representing a retrogradational sequence characterized by lagoon bottom and margin facies superposed by sandy aeolian facies, covered by loess deposits. The fossil assemblage found in the lagoon bottom and margin deposits is dominated by bivalve and gastropod molluscs, mostly characteristic of open marine, shallow (≤ 30 meters) environment, but including some Erodona mactroides and Anomalocardia brasiliana, bivalves typical of lagoon environments The presence of species that do not currently live in the region suggests the influence of warmer coastal waters during the last interglacial stage. The good state of preservation of a large part of the molluscan assemblage, with no signs of abrasion, bioerosion or incrustation, indicates short residence time at the sediment-water interface after death, followed by rapid burial below the Taphonomically Active Zone (TAZ). The presence of marine species together with species from low energy mixohaline environments indicates the transport of sediments and marine fauna to the backbarrier, which would have occurred during the transgressive phase of the System III evolution. This process could have been related to increased storminess during the last interglacial, which promoted the transportation of large amounts of sediments and shells from the shoreface to the backbarrier through overwash and opening of ephemeral inlet channels.

A área de estudo do presente trabalho é parte integrante da barreira holocênica do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Apresenta seus limites entre o balneário de Itapeva (município de Torres) ao norte e, ao sul, o balneário de Dunas Altas (município de Palmares do Sul). Este trabalho teve por objetivo obter novas informações referentes às variações sazonais (inverno e verão) morfológicas e sedimentológicas (granulometria e morfoscopia) do sistema praia-duna frontal no Litoral Norte do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Para isso, foram coletadas e analisadas por difração a lazer (granulometria) 26 amostras de sedimentos das dunas frontais (face marinha) e 26 da praia (nos limites instantâneos da zona de espraiamento), bem como as suas características morfológicas através de medição, observação e descrição em campo. Os resultados obtidos demostraram nítida relação sedimentológica entre a praia e a duna frontal quando observados na mesma estação. No ambiente praial, os sedimentos foram caracterizados como areia fina com tendência granocrescente para o norte, bem selecionados, aproximadamente simétricos e mesocúrticos no verão, com tendência a leptocúrticos no inverno. Nas dunas frontais os sedimentos foram classificados como areia fina, com tendência granocrescente para o norte no inverno e um sutil decréscimo no verão, bem selecionados a muito bem selecionados e aproximadamente simétricos, mesocúrticos com tendência leptocúrticos nas duas estações. No inverno, a praia apresentou areias com maior valor de diâmetro médio em relação ao verão, da mesma forma que as a dunas frontais. Quanto à morfoscopia (verão/inverno), os grãos foram classificados como angulosos com média esfericidade. Com relação à análise das variáveis morfológicas, a largura da praia e a pista de vento não apresentaram relação com a altura das dunas frontais. As mesmas tendem a um decréscimo de sul para norte. As maiores alturas de dunas foram encontradas ao sul, onde há maior velocidade dos ventos e em função da orientação da linha de costa que determina uma incidência com maior valor angular do vento dominante proveniente de nordeste. / The study area of this work corresponds to the beach-foredune system of the Holocene barrier of the Rio Grande do Sul state. It presents its boundaries between Itapeva (Torres municipality) to the north and Dunas Altas (Palmares do Sul municipality) to the south. The objective of this work was to obtain new information regarding seasonal (winter and summer) morphological and sedimentological variations (granulometry and morphoscopy) of the beach-foredune system in the northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. For this, 26 samples of sediments of the foredunes (marine face) and 26 of the beach (at the instantaneous limits of the swash zone) were collected and analyzed by laser diffraction (granulometry), as well as their morphological characteristics through the measurement, observation and field description. The results obtained showed a clear sedimentological relationship between the beach and the foredune when considered the same season. At the beach the sediments were characterized as fine sand with a tendency to a northward increase on grain size. These sands are well selected, approximately symmetrical and mesocurtic in the summer, with tendency to leptocurtic in the winter. In the foredunes the sediments were classified as fine sand, with a tendency to a northward increase on grain size in the winter, and a subtle decrease in the summer. These sands are well selected to very well selected and approximately symmetrical, mesocurtic with a leptocurtic tendency in the two seasons. In winter the beach and the foredune presented sands with a higher value of average diameter in relation to the summer. In regard of morphoscopy (summer/winter), the grains were classified as angular with moderate sphericity. Regarding the analysis of the morphological variables, the width of the beach and the wind fetch were not related to the height of the foredunes. They tend to decrease from south to north. The highest heights of dunes were found to the south, where there is higher wind velocity, due to the orientation of the coastline that determines a higher angular value of incidence of the dominant wind coming from the northeast.

Este trabalho avalia a potencialidade do emprego da sísmica de reflexão para mapear os depósitos sedimentares quaternários e o embasamento na planície costeira de Bertioga (SP). Foi feita uma aquisição CMP em uma linha perpendicular à costa e aplicado o fluxograma de processamento convencional utilizado em sísmica de reflexão. Na região estudada estão presentes o embasamento ígneo-metamórfico pré-cambriano e sedimentos de origem marinha, estuarino-lagunar/lacustre-paludial, fluvial e de encosta, de idades pleistocênicas e holocênicas. São descritos os procedimentos adotados para a escolha da área dos ensaios, para os testes de análise de ruídos, e para a aquisição CMP. Nas condições da área, a fonte de impacto tipo marreta forneceu melhores resultados em comparação com a fonte do tipo compactador de solos utilizando-se a técnica Mini-Sosie. O método mapeou dois contatos importantes com boa continuidade: o topo rochoso e uma interface que separa camadas sedimentares dentro das unidades do Quaternário. Além disso, permitiu inferir a existência de uma falha normal afetando o embasamento e sedimentos. Para a obtenção de uma seção geológica final, os resultados da sísmica de reflexão foram integrados aos resultados obtidos por outros autores do mesmo registro sísmico utilizando os métodos de tomografia por ondas P refratadas e o da análise multicanal de ondas superficiais. A sísmica de reflexão se mostrou uma potencial ferramenta para ser aplicada em ambientes costeiros, podendo trazer importantes subsídios para estudos da evolução geológica. / This work evaluates the potentiality of the seismic reflection method to mapping quaternary sedimentary deposits in the Bertioga (SP) coastal plain. A CMP acquisition was done in a perpendicular line to the coast and it was applied a conventional processing flow used in shallow reflection seismic. The geology of the study area comprises the Pre-Cambrian basement formed by igneous-metamorphic rocks, which is covered by Holocene and Pleistocene sediments of marine, estuarine-lagoonal/lacustrine-marshy, fluvial and of hillside origins. Its described the procedures adopted to choose the study area, to execute the walkaway noise tests and to acquire and analyse the CMP data. For the local geological conditions the sledge hammer gave better results compared to vibrator source used with the Mini-Sosie method. The seismic reflection method has mapped two important interfaces, the basement and the contact between two different sedimentary units, besides a geologic fault. Aiming the elaboration of a final geological section, the seismic reflection results were complemented with the results of other authors with the same data recorded, using Tomography Applied to P Refracted Waves and Multi Channel Surface Waves Analysis. The seismic reflection method shows to be a potential tool to be used in coastal environments and can contribute to the geological evolution study of the coastal plain.

O presente estudo foi desenvolvido nas planícies costeiras do Itaguaré e do Guaratuba localizadas no município de Bertioga (litoral central do Estado de São Paulo) e teve como objetivo descrever e comparar aspectos florísticos e estruturais das tipologias florestais que ocorrem em diferentes associações com depósitos sedimentares e solos. Foram inventariados 12 florestas: a) Floresta baixa de Restinga sobre cordões litorâneos holocênicos amostrada na planícies costeiras do Guaratuba (FbR/G); b) Floresta baixa de Restinga sobre cordões litorâneos holocênicos presente na planícies costeiras do Itaguaré (FbR/I), c) Floresta alta de Restinga sobre cordões litorâneos holocênicos (FaR1/G), d) Floresta alta de Restinga sobre terraços marinhos holocênicos presente na planícies costeiras do Guaratuba (FaR2/G); e) Floresta alta de Restinga sobre terraços marinhos holocênicos presente na planícies costeiras do Itaguaré (FaR2/I); f) Floresta alta de Restinga sobre terraços marinhos baixos pleistocênicos presente na planícies costeiras do Guaratuba; g) Floresta alta de restinga sobre terraços marinhos baixos pleistocênicos presente na planícies costeiras do Itaguaré (FaR3/I); h) Floresta alta de Restinga úmida sobre depressões estuarinas paleolagunares rasas holocênicas (FaRu) i) Floresta Paludosa sobre sobre depressões paleolagunares profundas holocênicas (FPa); j) Floresta Aluvial sobre terraços fluviais pleistocênicos (FAL), K) Floresta de transição Restinga- Encosta sobre depósitos mistos holocênicos a atuais (FTr1) e L) Floresta de transição Restinga- Encosta sobre depósitos de encostas pleistocênicos a atuais (FTr2). A amostragem foi realizada pelo método de parcelas, sendo incluídos todos os indivíduos com diâmetro a 1,3 m (DAP) 10cm. Na área inventariada, que totalizou 1,2 ha, foram encontradas 130 espécies e 42 famílias botânicas. Foram verificadas diferenças na riqueza e diversidade entre Florestas presentes sobre um mesmo substrato geológico situadas em planícies diferentes. FAL apresentou a maior riqueza e diversidade entre todas as florestas comparadas, A análise da similaridade florística entre as 12 áreas estudadas formou quatro grupos, levando em conta o tipo de substrato geológico e a distância geográfica. A espécie Ilex Theezans Mart. ex Reissek se destacou quanto ao valor de importância (VI) e a densidade relativa (DR) nas duas Florestas baixas de Restinga resultado esse que se repete em outros estudos no litoral de São Paulo, sendo uma espécie potencial para restauração dessa tipologia florestal no estado de São Paulo. Nas Florestas altas de Restinga, Eriotheca pentaphylla (Vell.) A. Robyns de destacou quanto ao VI e DR em quatro florestas (FaR1/G, FaR2/G, FaR3/G e FaR3/I) sendo uma espécie potencial para restauração dessa tipologia na região de estudo. Na FAL, Ocotea dispersa (Nees) Mez foi a espécie que apresentou maior VI, maior DR e maior Dominância relativa (DoR), sendo essa espécie típica da Floresta Ombrófila Densa das Encostas da Serra do Mar. Em SB-FTr1 e SB-FTr2 a espécie Eriotheca pentaphylla se destacou com maior VI, mas apresentou maiores DR e DoR apenas no SB-FTr2. No SB-FTr1 essa espécie apresentou apenas a maior DoR, uma vez que a maior DR foi obtida para Syagrus pseudococos (Raddi) Glassman. Tabebuia cassinoides (Lam.) DC aparece com maior VI e maior DR nas duas florestas sobre depressões estuarinas paleolagunares (FaRu e FPa). Florestas presentes sobre VII substratos continentais (FAL, FTr1 e FTr2) apresentaram maiores desenvolvimento em altura, fato esse provavelmente associado a condições pedológicas e ao nível do lençol freático. As florestas que ocorrem em substratos marinhos mais antigos (pleistoceno) apresentaram árvores mais desenvolvidas em tamanho do que as Florestas altas presentes nos substratos mais novos (holoceno). Os menores valores de correlação entre altura e DAP ocorreram nas Floresta baixa de Restinga, indicando um padrão mais horizontal de dispersão das alturas, onde o incremento em altura não acompanha o incremento em DAP. A análise de componentes principais (PCA) indicou quatro grupos de sub-biomas levando em consideração a variação nos parâmetros químicos dos solos. Todos as florestas apresentaram solos com elevada acidez. Maiores teores de matéria orgânica foram encontrados nas florestas sobre sedimentos continentais que preenchem as depressões estuarinas - paleolagunares, e os menores ocorreram nas florestas baixas de Restinga. Todas as áreas apresentam limitação quanto à fertilidade dos solos. / This work was done in the Guaratuba and Itaguare coast plains in Bertioga (central coast of São Paulo) and aimed to describe and compare the floristic diversity and phytosociological structure of forest types that occur in different associations with quaternary sediments and soil. A total of 12 forests were sampled: a) Restinga low Forest on Holocene beach ridges in the Guaratuba coast plains (FbR/G), b) Restinga low Forest on Holocene beach ridges in the Itaguaré coast plains (FbR/I), c) Restinga hight Forest on holocene beach ridges (FaR1/G), d) Restinga hight Forest on holocene marine terraces in the Guaratuba coast plains (FaR2/G), e) Restinga hight Forest on holocene marine terraces in the Itaguaré coast plains (FaR2/I), f) Restinga hight Forest on pleistocene marine terraces in the Guaratuba coast plains (FaR3/G); g) Restinga hight Forest on pleistocene marine terraces in the Itaguaré coast plains (FaR3/I), h) wet Restinga hight Forest on holocene estuarine - paleolagoonal shallow depression (FaRu), i) Paludal Forest on holocene paleolagoonal deep depression (FPa), j) Alluvial Forest on pleistocene fluvial terraces (FAL), k) Restinga Slope transition Forest on Holocene to recent Fluvial Deposits (FTr1) and l) Restinga Slope transition Forest on Pleistocene to recent slope deposits). For the sampling the plotting method was used, totaling 1,2 ha of sampled area, being included in the sampling all individuals with diameter at 1,3 m (D.B.H.) 5cm. In total were found 130 species and 42 families. Richness and diversity differences were observed in Forests present on the same geological substrate located in different plains. FAL had the greatest richness and diversity of all forest compared. The analysis of the floristic similarity among the 12 studied areas formed four groups, taking into account the type of geological substratum and geographical distance. The Ilex theezans Mart. ex Reissek stood out in importance value (IV) as well as the relative density (RD) in both Restinga low Forest, this result is repeated in other studies on the coast of São Paulo, being a species potential to restore this forest type in the state of São Paulo. In the Restinga hight Forests, Eriotheca pentaphylla (Vell.) A.Robyns had the highest IV and the greatest RD in four (FaR1/G, FaR2/G, FaR3/G e FaR3/I) of the five sampled areas, being a species potential to restore this forest type in the study region. In FAL Ocotea dispersa (Nees) Mez showed the highest values of IV, RD and relative dominance, indicating the influence of Ombrophylus Dense Forest present in the slopes of the Serra do Mar on the FAL. In the FTr1 and FTr2 Eriotheca pentaphylla stood out with the greatest IV, but it appears with the greatest RD and relative dominance only in the SB-FTr2. In SB-FTr1 this species has only the highest relative dominant being the highest DR for Syagrus pseudococos (Raddi) Glassman. Tabebuia cassinoides (Lam.) DC appears with the highest VI and DR in the two forest on the estuarine - paleolagoonal depression (FaRu and FPA). The biggest height development occurred in the forest on the continental sediments (FAL, FTr1 e FTr2), this fact was probably associated with soil conditions and groundwater level. The Restinga hight Forests that occur on older marine substrates had more developed trees in hight than the Restinga hight IX Forests that occur in the younger substrates. The lowest correlation value between height and DBH occurred in sub-biomes formed by the Restinga low Forest, indicating a more horizontal dispersion of the heights, where the increase in height does not follow the increase in DBH. The principal component analysis (PCA) indicated four groups of sub-biomes, taking into account the variation in chemical soil parameters. All forests showed soils with high acidity. Higher organic matter amounts were found in forests formed by estuarine - paleolagoon sediments (FaRu and FPa) and the lowest occurred in two Restinga low Forest. All areas have soils with low fertility.