Abstract
The natural presence of Araucaria angustifolia (Bert) O. Kuntze is associated with several climatic aspects, but the relative importance of each of them has not been sufficiently explored yet. The objective of this study was to identify climatic aspects that are most related to the presence of the species in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. For this purpose, meteorological stations from the municipalities were separated into: places with records of natural occurrence of araucaria; and places without records of the species. Temperature, precipitation and insolation data from these stations were employed, and they were subjected to several univariate and multivariate statistical tests to identify the climates in which araucaria preferentially develop. All the areas presented surplus water, and the insolation hours did not present significant differences. The areas where the araucaria occurred were also separated into three subgroups: two in the Southern Plateau; and one in the highest western sides of the state. These areas were climatically different regarding precipitation, evapotranspiration, and water availability. Finally, we concluded that the araucaria occurs in places where the average temperatures are lower and the annual rainfall and the winter period rainfall are higher. The results generated by cluster analysis indicated the prospection conditions for in situ conservation purposes. Also, it would assist in the elaboration of breeding programs.
Highlights
Throughout the 19th century, the Araucaria Forests with all of its associated species, known as the Ombrophylous Mixed Forest (FOM), comprised about 35% of the vegetation cover of the Southern Brazilian states, spreading through the states of Paraná (40%), Santa Catarina (31%) and Rio Grande do Sul (25%)
This study examined climatic data collected by the network of meteorological stations operated by the Company of Agricultural Research and Rural Extension of Santa Catarina (CIRAM / Epagri), according to Wrege et al (2011)
The meteorological stations were divided in two clusters according to their ability to enable the development of the A. angustifolia: areas with climatic conditions that allowed the development of the araucaria and areas where the araucaria did not occur or where its cultivation was not recommended
Summary
Throughout the 19th century, the Araucaria Forests with all of its associated species, known as the Ombrophylous Mixed Forest (FOM), comprised about 35% of the vegetation cover of the Southern Brazilian states, spreading through the states of Paraná (40%), Santa Catarina (31%) and Rio Grande do Sul (25%). It is estimated that the remaining forest does not represent more than 0.7% of the original coverage (MEDEIROS et al, 2005) As this area declined by at least 80% in 80 years, the araucaria could be considered as in danger of extinction and classified as "Critically endangered" (CR), the "Red Book of Brazilian Flora" still establishes its status as "Endangered" (EN). This occurs because the araucaria is found in full Protection Conservation Units (UC) and has a high cultivation potential (MARTINELLI; MORAES, 2013)
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