Brazilian Biome Research Articles

Biodiversity from the Sky: Testing the Spectral Variation Hypothesis in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Tropical forests have high species richness, being considered the most diverse and complex ecosystems in the world. Research on the variation and maintenance of biodiversity in these ecosystems is important for establishing conservation strategies. The main objective of this study was to test the Spectral Variation Hypothesis through associations between species diversity and richness measured in the field and hyperspectral data collected by a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) in areas with secondary tropical forest in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome. Specific objectives were to determine which dispersion measurements, standard deviation (SD) or coefficient of variation (CV), estimated for the n pixels occurring within each sampling unit, better explains species diversity; the effects of pixel size on the direction and intensity of this relationship; and the effects of shaded pixels within each sampling unit. The spectral variability hypothesis was confirmed for the Atlantic Forest biome, with R2 of 0.83 for species richness and 0.76 and 0.69 for the Shannon and Simpson diversity indices, respectively, using 1.0 m illuminated pixels. The dispersion (CV and SD) of hyperspectral bands were most strongly correlated with taxonomic diversity and richness in the red-edge and near-infrared (NIR) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Pixel size affected R2 values, which were higher for 1.0 m pixels (0.83) and lower for 10.0 m pixels (0.71). Additionally, illuminated pixels had higher R2 values than those under shadow effects. The main dispersion variables selected as metrics for regression models were mean CV, CV for the 726.7 nm band, and SD for the 742.3 and 933.4 nm bands. Our results suggest that spectral diversity can serve as a proxy for species diversity in the Atlantic Forest. However, factors that can affect this relationship, such as taxonomic and spectral diversity metrics used, pixel size, and shadow effects in images, should be considered.

Genomic and taxonomic characterization of the Comamonas sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from Brazilian Cerrado soil.

A novel strain identified as Comamonas sp. was isolated from the soil of the Brazilian savanna-like Cerrado biome, a global hotspot for biodiversity. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that this strain is classified as Betaproteobacteria from the family Comamonadaceae. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) results, of respectively 48.6% and < 93%, indicated that Comamonas sp. consists in a new species with Comamonas testosteroni as its closest strain. Comamonas sp. is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and non-spore-forming bacterium. Its colonies typically exhibit a round, convex, and irregular shape with a clear color and spotted edges. It is characterized as non-fermenting, aerobic, and motile, presenting both oxidase and catalase activities. The optimal growth parameters for this bacterial strain are 30°C, a pH range of 5-8, and 0% NaCl. In addition, its fatty acid profile included palmitic acid (C16:0) at 26.94%, 13-Methyltetradecanoic Acid (iso-C15:0) at 10.94%, myristic acid (C14:0) at 8.94%, and a summed feature comprising 16:1 ω7c, 16:1 ω6c, or 16:1 at 15.8%. Genomic analysis of Comamonas sp. revealed a GC content of 62.1% across its 5.6Mb genome. Phylogenomic and pangenome analyses, along with in silico phenotypic characterization indicate that this strain represents a novel species within the Comamonas genus, which we propose to name Comamonas brasiliensis nov.

Daily Estimates of Global Radiation in the Brazilian Amazon from Simplified Models

Solar radiation is an element and a meteorological factor that is present in several processes, such as evapotranspiration, photosynthesis, and energy generation, among others. However, in some regions, there is a limitation in surface data measurements. In this study, 87 empirical models were evaluated to estimate global radiation (Hg) in the Brazilian Amazon biome; these models were divided into five groups according to the input variables, such as insolation (group I), air temperature (group II), relative humidity (group III), astronomical variables (group IV), and hybrid models (group V). The estimates were evaluated by their significance (t-test) and then according to the statistical metrics of the models’ performance (R2, MBE, RMSE, and d). The group V model Hg/H0=a+bln∆T+cS/S0d presented the best statistical performance in all the evaluated indicators, followed by the group I model Hg/H0=a+bS/S0c, and then the group II model Hg/H0=a+b∆T+c∆T0.25+d∆T0.5+eTmed/H0. The group III models presented a low statistical performance, and the group IV models were not significant (NS) in all the evaluated meteorological stations. In general, it was found that the simplified or hybrid models based on insolation and air temperature were efficient in estimating Hg in the Brazilian Amazon biome.

Species limits in Wiedomys (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) reinforce the South American São Francisco River as a biogeographic barrier

Abstract Red-nosed mice (genus Wiedomys) are restricted to the Brazilian Cerrado and Caatinga biomes, distributed along the São Francisco River (SFR). Until recently, Wiedomys was considered monotypic, but 2 species with poorly defined geographic and morphological limits have been recognized: W. cerradensis and W. pyrrhorhinos. Our study used morphological, phylogenetic, and cytogenetic analyses to review and detail species limits within the genus and test whether the SFR could be associated with divergence between lineages. This integrative approach indicated that the SFR delineates the geographic boundaries between species, with W. pyrrhorhinos on the right bank and W. cerradensis on the left bank. The species are reciprocally monophyletic and diverge in cranial size, nasal morphology, and facial pelage color pattern. Karyotypic differences between and within W. pyrrhorhinos and W. cerradensis were also detected, and new chromosome complements (2n = 62, FN = 96 and 2n = 62, FN = 88, respectively) were found. Divergence time (0.339 to 0.025 Ma) is concordant with the timing of diversification of other co-distributed vertebrate taxa, and close to a younger estimate for the formation of SFR’s recent lower course to the east coast. Therefore, our study considerably expands knowledge of the geographic range of the genus, diagnoses of species, karyotypic variability between and within species, and reinforces the role of SFR as an important vicariant barrier in northeastern Brazil.

Patterns of natural vegetation removal in the Caatinga biome in Prodes Project scope

Abstract. The native vegetation removal (NVR) of Caatinga Brazilian biome has been mapped by Prodes Project coordinated by National Institute for Spatial Research (INPE) between 2000 to 2023 year. Prodes is considered an official government product for achieving Brazilian and international targets for the conservation of natural vegetation. Therefore, Prodes is committed to achieving the highest possible accuracy associated with the history of mapping already carried out, by visual interpretation of satellite images and the use of past mapping masks techniques. Mapping NVR in Caatinga biome is a major challenge compared to biomes where the tree canopy with native vegetation prevails. Caatinga is one of the least protected of Brazilian biomes and is in one of the most pressured semi-arid regions on the planet. This work aims to present the NVR in Caatinga biome from Prodes data, in terms of its trajectory and main geographical patterns, concerning the municipalities, and areas that are the focus of monitoring, conservation or restoration. According to Prodes results, by 2023, the cumulative NVR in the entire Caatinga reached 43,05%; in 2000, this figure was 29,54%. The major NVR occurred in the easternmost areas of Caatinga and regions of Serrinha and Feira de Santana in Bahia State. Also, there are areas with considerable NVR further inside the biome, such as, Irecê and Guanambi region in Bahia, west of Pernambuco and Paraíba States and South and North of Ceará State. Areas prioritized for conservation actions showed high NVR values, indicating the urgent need for implementation of such actions. The fact that Desertification Cores showed low NVR values is important, and these regions should be closely monitored to prevent uncontrolled NVR rates. The two regions with high anthropic pressure or speculation showed contrasting behaviors; while the Araripe Gypsum Pole exhibited higher NVR levels compared to the control area, the São Francisco River integration project (PISF) so far does not appear significantly different from the rest of the biome. Overall, this study clearly demonstrates the potential of monitoring the Caatinga through Prodes in understanding and integrating the various factors influencing changes in the biome's native vegetation cover. Future approaches should move beyond descriptive studies to increasingly contribute to the territorial management of this important Brazilian region.

KIT EDUCACIONAL COM ARDUINO PARA A CONSTRUÇÃO DE UMA ESTUFA AUTOMATIZADA:

The objective of the study was the development and analysis of an educational kit with Arduino for the construction of an automated greenhouse, based on an intervention with high school students. The choice to build a greenhouse was made to work with Brazilian biomes. The research adopted a qualitative approach with the field of study being a State Technical School, with a sample universe made up of 15 students. The procedures were based on the steps of the Kelly Experience Cycle (CEK). For each stage, we prepare Record Sheets (FR) and at the beginning a Questionnaire for Pre-Action Assessment (QVA). To systematize and analyze the results, a focus group was created. Considering the volume of data obtained, we limited the study to an analysis of the Meeting stage, a phase that played a leading role in the process of building the automated greenhouse. The QVA analysis allowed us to identify students who have already experienced educational robotics. The analysis of FR03 made it possible to investigate the appropriation of programming knowledge developed by students, as well as to evaluate a possible correlation between previous and newly acquired conceptions. Concluding that Educational Robotics kits using Arduino constituted a pedagogically and economically viable proposal, being a simple to use and low-cost educational kit.

Two new species of Metrichia Ross 1938 (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from the Brazilian Amazon biome

Two new species of Metrichia Ross 1938 (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from the Brazilian Amazon biome

Natural Cover suppression patterns used in PRODES Caatinga mapping

Abstract. Since 2022, we have mapped native vegetation removal for all Brazilian biomes within the scope of the PRODES Project. In this study, our main objective was to present interpretation criteria for feature detection used to identify natural vegetation removal throughout the Caatinga. To this end, we created a catalog of typical patterns that can be used for supervised and unsupervised deforestation mapping. We used PRODES data from 2023 year's PRODES Caatinga based on the composition of top of atmosphere (TOA) reflectance images from MSI/Sentinel-2 satellite. The original reflectance data was used to generate false color images in the following combination: band 8 (Red), band 11 (Green) and band 4 (Blue). This image was then visually classified into different natural vegetation removal classes. These are good examples of what PRODES interpreters have encountered throughout this diverse region and can help any future mapping efforts of the Caatinga.

Unsupervised multi-target domain adaptation for deforestation detection in tropical rainforest

Abstract. Geographic variability of the classes of interest, differences in sensor characteristics and changes in atmospheric conditions during image acquisition, among other factors, make it challenging to use a pre-trained deep learning classifier on new remote sensing data without a substantial drop in classification accuracy. This phenomenon occurs due to the so-called domain shift problem. Deep domain adaptation techniques have been used to mitigate the problem and thus avoid the time-consuming and costly collection of new labeled samples. Most recent domain adaptation approaches rely on single-source and single-target domains, refraining from exploiting other data distributions that are usually available. This work introduces a new unsupervised multi-target domain adaptation in the context of a change detection application, namely deforestation detection. The proposed approach addresses the substantial class imbalance typical of such application by applying unsupervised algorithms for selecting pseudo-labels in the target domain that will later serve as additional training references. We report results of experiments to evaluate the proposed method in four distinct sites of two Brazilian biomes using Sentinel-2 images. The results indicate that the proposed unsupervised domain adaptation method is a promising solution to reduce the effects of domain shift and to deal with the scarcity of labeled training data.

Opportunities for the Development of Bioeconomy and Biotechnology Clusters Connected to Brazilian Biomes

Opportunities for the Development of Bioeconomy and Biotechnology Clusters Connected to Brazilian Biomes

The First Standardised Sampling Plan Designed to Scout Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Adults in Corn Crops Using Yellow Sticky Traps

ABSTRACTThe corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) is one of the main pests in corn crops causing yield reductions of up to 70%. Dalbulus maidis primarily damages corn by transmitting pathogens. Direct plant damage is caused by sap suction and toxin injection. Sampling corn fields to determine the D. maidis density for decision‐making systems can be challenging due to field size, time and cost. Yellow sticky traps (YST) are commonly employed to determine the presence and density of D. maidis because they are easy to use and allow quick and low‐cost assessment. This study aimed to propose and evaluate a new sampling plan for D. maidis in corn crops using YST. This research was carried out in commercial corn crops in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes for 3 years. The pest density in traps and on plants were moderately (r = 0.54–0.66) and significantly (p &lt; 0.0001) correlated. The density evaluated in the traps showed relative variance of less than 25% and sampling time of up to 2 min per sample unit. The negative binomial distribution was adequate to represent the D. maidis density probability distribution for the YST sampling method with K common (2.8979) among all the fields evaluated. The sampling plan consisted of installing one trap every two hectares. The plan's total cost ranged from US$/ha 0.41 to 0.50, with a total sampling time of up to 2.5 min/ha. We propose this new sampling plan for D. maidis, which is suitable for incorporation into management programmes in corn crops, as it is representative, accurate, fast and low cost.

DINÂMICA HÍDRICA DO SOLO DE FITOFISIONOMIA DE CERRADO RALO DO CHAPADÃO DO DIAMANTE - SERRA DA CANASTRA (MG)

The Cerrado is characterized as an important Brazilian biome, forming strategic hydrographic basins within its territory that are significant both nationally and internationally. Despite its importance, the biome has been increasingly impacted by anthropogenic activities. In this context, this study aims to analyze and understand the physical-hydraulic characteristics of the soil in a sparse Cerrado physiognomy located in the Chapadão do Diamante (Serra da Canastra-MG), providing the necessary foundation for the assessment and development of future management strategies for similar areas. For field data prospecting, a rain simulator and a concentric ring infiltrometer were used. The results demonstrated a high infiltration capacity in the study area, with no significant surface runoff even under high-intensity precipitation (57.35 mm), revealing high values of basic infiltration velocity (BIV) at 626.56 mm/h. Overall, these values are associated with the dynamics of landscape elements, emphasizing the importance of biological processes, such as the role of vegetation and soil fauna, in modulating the soil's ability to retain, infiltrate, and store water. Keywords: Water Infiltration; Rain Simulator; Concentric Ring Infiltrometer.

Mapping and Identification of Ecosystem Services Hotspots in the Brazilian Pampa Biome.

The intensification and expansion of changes in land use and land cover (LULC) can reduce the availability and quality of natural habitats and ecosystem services (ES). These changes have generated environmental damage in different parts of the world, especially in biomes more susceptible to modifications, such as the Pampa biome in the extreme south of Brazil. The Pampa biome has been neglected by environmental protection laws, despite its broad ecosystem and social importance. In this study, we used InVEST models to map and quantify five ES provided (i.e., water supply, carbon stock, groundwater stock, sediment retention and habitat quality) by 14 watersheds distributed in the Brazilian Pampa biome as well as determine ES hotspots by summing the areas with high provision of ES. We identified low availability of water supply and groundwater stock in practically the entire study area. High sediment retention and carbon stock were reported in areas with the presence of native vegetation. In addition, despite the large degraded areas, we observed high habitat quality associated with native vegetation in all studied watersheds. The hotspots varied spatially in the study area according to the proposed scenarios, the supply and the overlap of ES. Scenario 1 (>50% of ES) presented a larger area of high provision of ES. In contrast, scenario 2 (>75% of ES) presented smaller patches of areas with high provision of ES distributed across different watershed. We observed that large territorial extensions with high and medium provision of ES are vulnerable to the negative effects of LULC. Our study presented scenarios that indicate areas of high provision of ES, contributing to a more practical application, being a simplified and useful tool that can assist conservation and sustainable policies.

Geographic variability of carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of nonvolant terrestrial small mammals (Rodentia) across 3 Brazilian biomes

Abstract In this study, we investigated landscape variability of the carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of nonvolant small mammals in the 3 main Brazilian biomes (Amazon, Atlantic Forest, and Cerrado) while also considering the differential spatial distribution of C4 plants in these biomes. We compiled a subset of data on stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios from nonvolant small mammals of the order Rodentia and compared the aggregated isotopic variability at the biome level using classical δ13C–δ15N biplot. The concept of isotopic niche width was used to test whether different foraging attributes drive their isotopic composition, while a Bayesian isotopic mixing model was used to estimate the proportion of 3 main food categories available to these small mammals. We also developed isoscapes in the Brazilian biomes, interpolating animals δ13C and δ15N based on the geographic coordinates of each sample and “sourcescapes” considering geographic variation of the dietary sources. The findings of this study advance our understanding of the foraging ecology of small mammals in biodiversity-rich regions of the Neotropics. Classical methodologies such as stomach content confirmed dietary choices revealed by the stable isotopic composition and also highlighted the importance of C3 and C4 plants in the diet of this group of animals, especially in biomes such as the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado, where there is a predominance of highly altered landscapes. These results confirm that replacing the original vegetation with C4 crops has altered the feeding patterns of small mammals, which could lead to critical ecological changes in the trophic structure of these areas. Vertical stratification of the dietary niche and the interaction between biome and foraging lifestyle were also observed. However, in each biome, there was significant intraspecific and interspecific variation caused by preferences for ingestion of plant and animal material, leading to different degrees of omnivory. Finally, the high local variability between individuals and species requires a larger sampling design that may also contribute to improved spatial resolution of the isoscapes.

Correlation dimension for temperature and other micrometeorological variables in different ground cover from six biomes of the Amazon basin

Correlation dimension () for embedding dimensions, varying between 3 to 11, were estimated for a 1- or 2-month time series of air temperature and other micrometeorological variables, such as energy fluxes, solar radiation and concentration, in six ecosystems in Amazon and the central region of Brazil. Dc remained within the 1.5 - 3.0 range, for variables locally coupled to ecosystems, and outside the range for variables not locally coupled, such as precipitation and wind velocity. Results indicate that the feature of the variables does not have an important stochastic component. There is a small amount of data available concerning estimates of correlation dimension () of micrometeorological variables. The measurement of for several variables from six Brazilian biomes indicates that this parameter is sensitive to environmental conditions as the rainfall. The obtained results also indicates that the natural processes in the ecosystems remain in a non-chaotic regime. In certain circumstances, as in conditions of high humidity, natural ecosystems may stay inside a limit which is close but lower than chaos. Moreover, an important stochastic component was not observed.

Records of endangered felines in conservation units in the Brazilian Pampa

The Brazilian Pampa biome is an environment formed by grasslands, shrubs, and riparian forests, home to several endemic species. These are being increasingly threatened by the replacement of their native areas by other types of land use, including agriculture and urbanization. To obtain comprehensive records of the native fauna, camera traps were installed in two protected areas, the Ibirapuitã Biological Reserve and the Espinilho State Park. In this way, it was possible to detect diverse populations of two native cats, the margay (Leopardus wiedii) and the Geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi), as well as the first record of the elusive Pampa’s cat (Leopardus munoai) in Brazilian conservation units, highlighting the critical importance of these unique habitats for biodiversity conservation and ecological research.

Exploring Natural Infection in Alternative Hosts of Corn Stunt Spiroplasma and Tracking the Temporal Dynamics of Corn Stunt Disease in the Brazilian Cerrado Biome

The corn stunt disease complex, caused by the mollicutes Spiroplasma kunkelii (Css) and the maize bushy stunt (MBS) phytoplasma, is a major phytosanitary issue for corn production in the neotropical region of Brazil. In this study, we investigated the presence of alternative hosts for S. kunkelii (Css) in the Brazilian Cerrado biome and explored the potential for asymptomatic Css infections in maize plants. To identify possible alternative hosts, we collected samples from ornamental and native plants located in Cerrado regions with a high incidence of corn stunt disease. We also monitored the disease’s progression over time and calculated the area under the disease progression curve (AUDPC). Additionally, we sampled healthy, asymptomatic maize plants growing near symptomatic ones and analyzed all the samples using qPCR to detect the pathogen. Our results showed no Css infection in the sampled alternative host species and no asymptomatic infections in the nearby maize plants. The incidence of maize stunting varied significantly among the sample years and counties. In Aparecida do Rio Negro, the infection rate was six times higher in 2020 compared to 2019, while Porto Nacional showed an 11-fold increase. During surveillance from March to July, the infection rate at the Sierra site went from less than 3% in March 2019 to 6% in July (F1,4 = 415.84; p = 0.0003). MBS infection increased significantly, while S. kunkelii remained stable below 3%. In 2020, MBS increased from 3% to more than 12%. A similar trend was observed at the Sede site, where MBS increased from 9% in 2019 to 11% in 2020. An increase in the AUDPC was observed both within individual years and between 2019 and 2020, indicating a worsening trend in disease severity. Overall, our findings reinforce the need for preventive measures in managing maize crop fields.

Therapeutic applications of Eugenia klotzschiana O.Berg: A Systematic Bibliographic Review

Eugenia klotzschiana O.Berg is an endemic plant from the Brazilian Cerrado biome with substantial chemical and genomic diversity. This systematic review aimed to identify the therapeutic applications of the plant in the SciELO, Bireme, LILACS, PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct bibliographic databases, using the START Program for identifying and selecting studies. Forty-six articles were obtained, of which 42 were excluded, and four were included in the review. The described therapeutic applications were antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, and cytotoxic activities of fruits, flowers, and leaves. The small number of published articles indicates the need for developing studies on the therapeutic potential of E. klotzschiana O. Berg.

Caatinga Microbiome Initiative: disentangling the soil microbiome across areas under desertification and restoration in the Brazilian drylands

The Caatinga biome in Brazil is renowned for its rich aboveground biodiversity. However, approximately 19% of this biome has experienced desertification, severely affecting the soil microbiome. Monitoring these microbial communities is essential to understanding the impacts of desertification and the potential outcomes of restoration efforts. The Caatinga Microbiome Initiative aims to assess the soil microbiome in areas undergoing desertification and those under restoration in the Brazilian drylands. This initiative seeks to explore the core microbial communities and their functions, including overlooked groups such as protists, nematodes, and viruses across native, desertified, and restored areas. We believe that two approaches should be used simultaneously in the study of microbiomes in areas undergoing desertification. First, the use of the soil microbiome as a bioindicator of soil quality in both desertified and restored lands. Second, the manipulation of the microbiome to facilitate soil restoration. By understanding soil microbiome responses to desertification and restoration, we can develop targeted restoration strategies to enhance biodiversity and promote functional recovery in desertified areas.

Exploring environmental and climate features associated with yellow fever across space and time in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome.

The Atlantic Forest Biome (AFB) creates an ideal environment for the proliferation of vector mosquitoes, such as Haemagogus and Sabethes species, which transmit the Yellow Fever virus (YFV) to both human and non-human primates (NHP) (particularly Alouatta sp. and Callithrix sp.). From 2016 to 2020, 748 fatal cases of YF in humans and 1,763 in NHPs were reported in this biome, following several years free from the disease. This underscores the imminent risk posed by the YFV. In this study, we examined the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of YF cases in both NHPs and humans across the entire AFB during the outbreak period, using a generalized linear mixed regression model (GLMM) at the municipal level. Our analysis examined factors associated with the spread of YFV, including environmental characteristics, climate conditions, human vaccination coverage, and the presence of two additional YFV-affected NHP species. The occurrence of epizootics has been directly associated with natural forest formations and the presence of species within the Callithrix genus. Additionally, epizootics have been shown to be directly associated with human prevalence. Furthermore, human prevalence showed an inverse correlation with urban areas, temporary croplands, and savannah and grassland areas. Further analyses using Moran's Index to incorporate the neighborhoods of municipalities with cases in each studied host revealed additional variables, such as altitude, which showed a positive correlation. Additionally, the occurrence of the disease in both hosts exhibited a spatio-temporal distribution pattern. To effectively mitigate the spread of the virus, it is necessary to proactively expand vaccination coverage, refine NHP surveillance strategies, and enhance entomological surveillance in both natural and modified environments.