Biogeographic Distribution Patterns and Their Correlates in the Diverse Frog Fauna of the Atlantic Forest Hotspot

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Site Selection for Restoration Planning: A Protocol With Landscape and Legislation Based Alternatives

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Levantamento da mastofauna terrestre de médio e grande porte em remanescente de floresta neotropical – Itatinga, SP

The Brazil´s Atlantic coastal forest biome is considered one of the richest and most exuberant biodiversity of the whole planet. Still, other data shows the reality of this Brazilian forest: more than 93% of its original formation has been already devastated, being the human actions the greatest threat to the perpetuation of the balance and diversity of this ecosystem. This destruction affects all the fauna and flora, with even greater impact on medium and large mammals, due to its high demand on the availability of resources, living area and sensitivity to disturbances. However, today it is known the vital importance of these mammals in the preservation and maintenance of biological systems. Thus, the purpose of this study was to survey the species richness of medium and large mammals in a remnant neotropical forest located in Itatinga, SP,Brazil, using the indirect method of recording (traces on sand-plots, marking territorial, faeces, carcasses, scratches on tree trunks and vocalizations) and camera trapping. Data were collected during ten (10) consecutive months in the year 2008, from February to November. Within twenty-five plots of sand installed and monitored during the ten months were found fifteen (15) species of terrestrial mammals of medium and large, five (5) orders and twelve (12) families. Among them, we highlight the presence of threated species like the puma (Puma concolor), the deer (Mazama gouazoubira) and the giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). The chosen method showed up effective in raising terrestrial mammalian species of medium and large neotropical forest area, having a good applicability and advantages over other existing methods. The study area presents a huge diversity of species and, therefore, this work it is recommended to be only the beginning of new researches in the area in order to enrich... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Bioma cerrado: um estudo de valoração e conservação da biodiversidade e dos recursos naturais

The region of the biome Cerrado is under threat due to the replacement of their native areas for expansion of agriculture and livestock. This occupation is responsible for the loss of about 50% of two million square kilometers of original native savannah. The land use, without control or zoning, has caused serious damage to natural resources of this biome, considered as an international hotspot area. As a result, some problems caused by ecological imbalances already topping the urban and rural environments, such as species extinction, water scarcity and desertification. Any occupation in this biome should be evaluated with caution, because this region, besides being considered one of the most productive of Brazil, is also rich in biodiversity and water resources. The understanding of the importance of the Cerrado biome and its remaining areas, allows the preparation of detailed studies of environmental valuation, which is essential for the development of conservation policies, avoiding even greater environmental impacts. To meet the growing demand for food, you can increase productivity through agroforestry, for example, and to preserve the remaining areas, you can create new protected areas and tailor existing units

Dinâmica da secreção de néctar em Zeyheria montana Mart. (Bignoniaceae) relacionada à atividade dos beija-fores polinizadores

The Cerrado is home to important biodiversity areas in the state of Sao Paulo. Therefore, research on the reproduction of species of this biome are essential to help conservation programs. Pollination is the main mechanism by which outcrossing plants perpetuate their populations, and the attractive, such as nectar, are of vital importance to many anthophilous animals and essential to the maintenance of interactions with pollinators. In this context, the objective of this study was to investigate the ecological dynamics of secretion and sugar composition of floral nectar in Zeyheria montana, an ornithophilous exclusive Cerrado species, visited preferentially by Colibri serrirostris, also exclusive to this biome. This dynamic was assessed in isolated flowers in pre-anthesis, using microsyringes to collect nectar and manual refractometer to measure the concentration. Experiments were carried out to evaluate production throughout anthesis, including the assessment of total daily production, the effect of successive removal, the rate of production during the day and night and changes in concentration and composition of sugars, which was performed in HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography). The rate of nectar production was about three times greater at night with a concentration two times lower, resulting in a supply of large amounts of dilute nectar in the early morning hours, peak of visitation for hummingbirds. Moreover, the production of nectar was more pronounced before the anthesis, and is available to visitors already in newly opened flowers, which are preferentially visited by C. serrirostris. There was an increase in the nectar production of flowers in the group with successive manual removal upon the control group, suggesting that the withdrawal by visitors stimulates the production, ensuring the availability of the resource including flowers previously visited... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Aplicação dos conceitos da ecologia de paisagem para a definição de hotspots de conservação e de conectividade entre o Complexo Cantareira e Nazaré Paulista

The Atlantic Forest biome, reduced to 12% of its original coverage, holds a significant portion of brazilian biodiversity, with high levels of endemism. Among the few remaining areas of the Atlantic, there is the region between the Complex of Cantareira and the municipality of Nazaré Paulista, which will be the object of study of this work. Using the concepts of Landscape Ecology, and analysis of thematic maps, this study aims to characterize the region in a ecologically scaled perspective, identifying two types of hotspots: i) for conservation and ii) for maintain habitat connectivity. Concepts of Landscape Ecology as landscape structure, patches, matrix, corridors (structural and functional) and connectivity, as well as their effects on local biodiversity was adopted and applied in the study region. We also analyzed the effects of roads, hydrographic system, Permanent Protection Areas (PPAs), and Conservation Units for flora and fauna maintenance at regional scale. This allowed us to define strategies and priority areas for the conservation and restoration of forest fragments of Atlantic Forest remnants within the study region. This study generated relevant knowledge for a better planning the region in order to create best conditions for the maintenance of regional biodiversity, and consequently, allowing to improve the quality of life for local population

Regeneração natural em ecounidades maduras e em reorganização de fragmentos de Floresta Estacional Semidecídua

The Atlantic Rainforest biome has been going through fragmentation processes caused by agriculture and urbanization in green areas. Structural studies associated with the silvigenetic approach allow the understanding of what the past has caused in the present structure and predict future conditions of disturbed fragments. The objective of this study was to compare the composition and diversity of arboreous natural regeneration of steady-state and reorganization ecounits in two Seasonal Semideciduous Forest fragments. The hypothesis was that specific composition varies in these two different ecounits due to differential adaptation of species in canopy gaps and closed canopy. The survey was made in three areas with different perturbation backgrounds of 0,5 ha each. 60 permanent plots of 4m² each (2m x 2m) were stablished along the studied fragments following the proportion of ecounits presented in a previous mapping. Each plot was divided in 4 sub-plots of 1m² and arboreous individuals between 0,20m and 1,30m height were sampled and posteriorly separated in two height classes: I) individuals between 0,20m and 0,50m height (2m² sampling) and II) individuals between 0,51m and 1,30m height (4m² sampling). It was sampled 338 individuals from 53 families and 23 species. The Shannon index was 3,26 (Area A), 2,27 (Area B) and 2,42 (Area C) whereas Areas B and C values are considered low in our state Semidecidous Forests. Steady-state ecounits presented the highest values for abundance and species richness. Chi-square test pointed out species’ selection for determined ecounits in the studied community. Rarefaction method analysis showed diversity increase in steady-state ecounits and a stablishment in species richness curves for reorganization ecounits

Estimativa da diversidade genética de Queixadas (Tayassu pecari) da região do Taboco (Corguinho, MS)

The Brazilian fauna has been constantly threatened by deforestation and forest fragmentation. As a result, many populations become isolated and small which negatively impacts their genetic diversity, putting them at a higher risk of extinction than large and stable populations. The aim of this work was to estimate the genetic diversity of white-lipped peccaries (Tayassu pecari) in the region of Taboco (Corguinho, MS), a fragmented area; and to compare these estimates with that obtained previously for two populations from Brazilian Pantanal, which is considered a relatively well-preserved biome and where the species is not threatened. A total of 18 blood and 72 hair samples of white-lipped peccaries had their DNA extracted and amplified for five polymorphic microsatellite loci. With the individuals identified, genetic diversity indicators (such as number of alleles, allelic richness, expected end and observed) and the inbreeding coefficient FIS were calculated. In addition, to verify if the population suffered a recent population bottleneck, we used the tests implemented in the program Bottleneck. The population of Taboco showed no evidence of recent population bottleneck (p > 0.05) or inbreeding (FIS = 0.008; p > 0.022). In addition, the levels of genetic diversity in this population (mean number of alleles = 2.60; mean allelic richness = 2.56 mean observed and expected heterozygosities = 0.45 and 0.47, respectively) were statistically similar to those found previously for the two populations from Pantanal (p > 0,05); although the region of Taboco is more impacted than the Pantanal. Even though we showed no evidence of loss of genetic diversity, it does not mean that the population is not suffering with fragmentation; but that there was not sufficient time to evidence the genetic changes. In addition, may be occurring gene flow with populations of nearby fragments, which is maintaining... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Relação solo-vegetação em área de cerrado no nordeste do Maranhão, Brasil

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Ciência do Solo) - FCAV

Diversidade, distribuição e diversificação do gênero Brachycephalus Fitzinger, 1826 (Anura: Brachycephalidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estudo fitoquímico e propriedades biológicas da Dipteryx alata Vogel (baru)

Pós-graduação em Ciência dos Materiais - FEIS

Cerrado e plantas medicinais: algumas reflexões sobre o uso e a conservação

Cerrado is the second biggest biome of Brazil. The broadest floristic diversity includes many species with medicinal properties. First, in this study was highlighted some important aspects that known Cerrado at Brazilian environmental sitting and main problems of impacts at the biome by the inside of our country. Second, a bibliographic search was presented to point uses and importance of plants at treatments, setting some examples of Cerrado’s species that has medicinal properties. Then, a reflection about the relation of use, popular knowledge and the local communities participation at the construction of conservationist and sustainable thoughts. Finally, a real example of conservation based on traditional knowledge in a riverain population.

A mercantilização dos bens naturais no setor elétrico: o caso da UHE Barra Grande

Pós-graduação em Geografia - FCT

A origem de populações emergentes do patógeno da queima-da-folha (Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IA) da Urochloa spp. na Amazônia e seu potencial de adaptação a outros agroecossistemas brasileiros

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Genética e Melhoramento de Plantas) - FCAV

A sazonalidade ambiental afeta a composição faunística de Ephemeroptera e Trichoptera em um riacho de Cerrado do Sudeste do Brasil?

In this paper, data on the fauna of Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera (ET) from a Cerrado stream was analysed in order to test the hypothesis that the high seasonality of this biome can influence the composition of ET between the wet and dry seasons. The community structure was evaluated using Detrended Correspondence Analysis and Cluster Analysis (Morisita Horn-UPGMA). Environmental factors were analyzed using the Principal Components Analysis. In order to test the effect of abiotic variables on the fauna, It was applied the Procrustean Randomization Test (Protest) and Mantel Test. The environmental factors recorded for this study had a significant effect on the ET fauna from Córrego do Pedregulho. Faunal similarity was high throughout the year, indicating that although there was density of fluctuation, due to rainfall variation, the faunal composition showed little temporal variability. On the other hand, it was possible to observe that the genus Lachlania (Ephemeroptera) occurred preferably during the rainy months and that the faunal composition during the dry season was less variable than those from other seasons. Therefore, environmental seasonality had a partial effect on the faunal composition of ET from Córrego do Pedregulho.