From a historical point of view, the heyday of coffee growing played a relevant role in the composition and structure of forests in the Atlantic Forest domain, especially in the 19th century throughout the Paraíba do Sul River Valley, located at the intersection of the states of SP, RJ, and MG. This activity generated a landscape composed of forest mosaics defined by overlapping uses at different time scales. His legacy left marks on the landscape, and many are hidden under these vegetation mosaics, revealed through the study of its flora and vegetation. This work aimed to evaluate the floristic composition and structure of the shrub and arboreal layer of Atlantic Forest fragments in the Paraíba Valley RJ/SP, with different successional stages and distinctions overlapping uses after the coffee cycle. The floristic and phytosociological structure of eight fragments that share the same history of use was analyzed. Then, the human marks in these forests were analyzed by inventory of exotic species and physical remains from different historical contexts. Finally, an analysis of the surroundings of each fragment was carried out using satellite images. The methodology used consisted of 1) a phytosociological survey with 20 contiguous plots of 10 x 10 m2, totaling 0.2 ha in each fragment; 2) granulometric and soil fertility analysis at depths of 0-10 and 10-20 cm; 3) survey of exotic species in forests; 4) records of a macro trace of past uses in the fragments and 5) use and interpretation of satellite images for each studied component. The results indicate that the studied fragments are not contemporary remnants of the coffee period. Quite possibly, they were from areas where coffee plantations previously existed and, with its decline, the process of ecological succession took place. Today, this landscape represents a convergence of natural and human histories. The investigations about the landscape surrounding the fragments scale the similarities between them, as they are within the same matrix and historical context. The interpretation of these temporal events on the aspects of forests from the coffee legacy through different use overlaps contributes to understanding the biogeographic dimensions and the environmental history of its landscape. In this context, understanding past anthropic uses and the current situation of forests in the face of the cumulative aspect of benefits contributes to the conservation of these forests and the ecological and cultural values associated with them.