Brazilian Ecosystems Research Articles

Carbon storage and sequestration in a eucalyptus productive zone in the Brazilian Cerrado, using the Ca-Markov/Random Forest and InVEST models

Tropical ecosystems in Brazil, particularly Mato Grosso do Sul, possess substantial greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potential through carbon sequestration in tree forests. However, the expansion of agricultural activities poses a threat to this potential. Notably, eucalyptus forests could enhance carbon sequestration and reduce GHG emissions. This study focused on Três Lagoas, known as Brazil's cellulose capital, and aimed to evaluate carbon stock and sequestration for 2030 under business as usual (BAU) and protected forest (PF) scenarios. Combining Cellular Automata (CA) and Random Forest models implemented in Patch-Generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model, we simulated land use scenarios and assessed ecosystem services generated by carbon sequestration. The results showed that the PF scenario indicated a higher total carbon stock than the BAU scenario, with a difference of 2.48 Tg. Carbon sequestration varied by period and scenario. Between 2010 and 2020, 3.88 Tg of carbon were sequestered. However, in the next period (2020–2030), the BAU scenario estimated 2.45 Tg in total carbon sequestration. In contrast, the PF scenario predicted 4.93 Tg of carbon sequestration for 2020–2030, surpassing the previous decade. Monetarily, carbon sequestration in 2010–2020 amounted to $92.48 million, decreasing to $58.49 million for 2020–2030 in the BAU scenario. In the PF scenario, sequestration for 2020–2030 increased to $ 117.43 million, nearly double that of the BAU scenario. In conclusion, combining the Ca-Markov/Random Forest and InVEST models revealed the spatiotemporal dynamics of carbon stock and sequestration in the municipality with the largest eucalyptus-planted area in Brazil. The results underscore the significant variability in carbon stocks and sequestration based on classes, periods, and scenarios analyzed. This study contributes valuable insights into the potential for carbon mitigation in this critical region.

Carbon and nitrogen stocks in Lithic soils: Environmental drivers and land-use implication in Brazilian dry ecosystems

Carbon and nitrogen stocks in Lithic soils: Environmental drivers and land-use implication in Brazilian dry ecosystems

Microbiological Collections in Brazil: Current Status and Perspectives

As part of a Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation initiative, the Brazilian Societies of Botany, Microbiology, Virology, and Zoology conducted a comprehensive evaluation of biological collections in Brazil. This assessment aimed to gather insights into the current state of these collections, with the goal of providing support for future public policies, including financial subsidies and prioritization policies. In this context, we present the findings related to microbiological collections, essential to ex situ biodiversity conservation and crucial in supporting research, development, and innovation. A survey was distributed to public and private institutions across Brazil, yielding responses from 168 microbiological collections representing 79 different entities. Notably, 73 of these collections are affiliated with public research institutions and universities, underscoring the State’s pivotal role in preserving and safeguarding Brazilian microbial diversity. The primary taxonomic groups encompass bacteria (found in 70.24% of collections) and fungi (comprising 52.98% of collections), sourced from diverse Brazilian ecosystems and biomes, including those that contain several type strains. Furthermore, the collections preserve microorganisms harboring biotechnological potential applicable to environmental protection, public health, industry, and agribusiness. Despite these promising economic and biotechnological prospects, our meticulous data analysis has revealed significant limitations and vulnerabilities, especially regarding physical infrastructure and human resources, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions to guarantee their sustainability.

Influence of environmental factors on reproduction of the invasive Gulf toadfish Opsanus beta (Teleostei: Batrachoididae) in a subtropical estuary

A hallmark of biological invasion is the rapid reproduction of invasive species. However, we still do not have an adequate understanding of how fluctuations in environmental factors affect the reproduction of invasive species, particularly in estuarine habitats. In this study, we evaluated the reproduction of the Gulf toadfish Opsanus beta and its relationships with temperature and rainfall in the Paranaguá estuary, a subtropical region in southern Brazil. This species was likely introduced into the Brazilian ecosystems through the discharge of ballast water. Since invasion, which was first reported in port areas, the species has rapidly spread along the Brazilian coast line. We collected specimens monthly from October 2011 to September 2012 and from October 2019 to September 2020, to give us insight into the seasonal and temporal changes in the reproduction of this species. We found that O. beta population uses the estuary throughout its life cycle, including during spawning. Females and males spawned throughout almost the entire sampling period and spawning was specified as partially. Peak reproductive activity occurred in periods of lower temperature and was also related to rain. The length of first maturation in females (10cm) was considered early, indicating reproductive activity in smaller individuals. Our results demonstrate that the reproductive strategy used by the invasive species supports its ability to successfully colonize new environments.

“Deus, Pátria, Família e Liberdade”: a radicalização política no ecossistema de mídia evangélica digital no Brasil

In this paper, we aim to map the websites that make up the digital evangelical media ecosystem in Brazil and build our own typology to analyze it. Despite their internal differences, Brazilian evangelicals form an important political force, thanks to efforts that have lasted decades. However, little has been studied about its internet ecosystem and its role in reproducing divisive political positions. We identified evangelical websites shared by influencers on Facebook between April and October 2021, complementing the database with other previously known websites found on the platform. We evaluate these sites according to the typology constructed and present an analysis of the political narratives commonly supported by them. We demonstrate that these sites often reinforce an imaginary permeated by a political- cultural war waged against Christians, whose identity is redesigned by the threat of widespread persecution and the collapse of their values.

Relatório temático sobre espécies exóticas invasoras no Brasil: sumário para tomadores de decisão

Abstract Biological invasions are one of the major threats to biodiversity and good quality of life, resulting from the translocation of species by human action. There are more than 500 alien species currently invading ecosystems in Brazil, particularly plants and fishes, while little is known about invasive microorganisms. Although invasive alien species are present in all ecosystems in the country, most have been recorded in habitats with greater human interference, such as urban and peri-urban areas, farmland, dams, reservoirs, ports, and canals. Historically, the southern and southeastern regions of Brazil have had more invasive alien species, but there has been an increase in the number of invasive alien species in the central-western and northern regions in recent decades. The ornamental trade of plants and fishes as well as the illegal pet trade of wild mammals and reptiles are some of the main pathways for invasive species introduction and spread in Brazil. Breeding and cultivation systems that allow escape to natural areas are a relevant route of species introductions in freshwater ecosystems, while unintentional introductions from shipping and infrastructure are of extreme concern in marine ecosystems. The negative impacts of invasive alien species on the biota mainly include changes in community structure and local decrease in native species richness, mediated by predation, competition, and ecosystem changes. Most negative impacts are recorded for intentionally introduced species, such as fishes and plants, but unintentional introductions have led to impacts on good quality of life, with associated costs and impacts on human health. The management of biological invasions faces challenges that need to be overcome, such as the lack of public knowledge about the impact of invasive alien species, the popular appeal of charismatic invasive species or those used by humans, and the use of controversial control techniques. However, successful experiences of eradication and control in terrestrial and marine ecosystems have been recorded, some of them involving public engagement in management actions. Recognizing the issue as a cross-cutting public policy and developing ongoing governance experiences are fundamental goals for the management of invasive alien species in Brazil.

Fortalecendo o Ecossistema de Educação no Brasil

ABSTRACT In this editorial, I address the education ecosystem in Brazil, highlighting some recent transformations. I also discuss the importance of strengthening the ecosystem, contributing to the debate on the knowledge we create and disseminate, and the role of RAC in this process. Finally, I present the articles featured in this new edition of the journal.

Strengthening the Education Ecosystem in Brazil

RESUMO Neste editorial, trato do ecossistema de educação no Brasil, destacando algumas transformações recentes. Abordo ainda a importância de fortalecer o ecossistema, contribuindo para o debate sobre o conhecimento que criamos e disseminamos, e o papel da RAC neste processo. Ao final, apresento os trabalhos desta nova edição da revista.

Perceptions of pequi (Caryocar coriaceum Wittm) decline: Insights from extractivist communities in the Araripe-Apodi National Forest, Brazil

Extractivist communities continuously observe natural events and form perceptions about the conservation status of species. Given this backdrop, the aim of this study was to answer the following questions: How does the length of experience people have in extractivism influence their perception of the threat to the conservation of a plant of extractive importance? How are changes in the abundance of fruits from an extractively important plant perceived over time? To address these questions, semi-structured interviews were conducted in two communities situated around the Araripe National Forest (Flona Araripe) in Ceará, northeast Brazil. We selected the Caryocar coriaceum Wittm as our model species for the study, commonly known as “pequizeiro.” Its fruits, called “pequi,” are of significant economic and cultural importance to extractivist populations in the Brazilian Cerrado ecosystem. Participatory workshops were carried out to supplement the interview data and to understand the history of environmental changes as perceived by the local communities. Furthermore, these workshops served to compare the collectors' perceptions with recent research conducted in the region. Our findings showed that the duration of experience in collecting pequi does not influence the extractivists' perception of the conservation threat to the species, nor the perceived change in fruit abundance. Remarkably, 68.97% of the interviewees do not view pequi as an endangered species. However, 91.38% noted a significant decline in the fruit's abundance over time. While this might seem paradoxical, these results suggest that the extractivists' perception of the collected species may be more closely tied to the harvested resource than to the species. We believe this outcome reflects the foraging behavior of extractivists, as they rely on the fruits and not on other products derived from the species.

The golden mussel Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857) as an emerging concern for biodiversity in the Brazilian Cerrado

The Cerrado biome is an international biodiversity hotspot, but knowledge about the distribution and impact of invasive bivalve species in the rivers of the Central Brazilian Cerrado is scarce. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to extend our knowledge of the geographical distribution of the golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) and enlarge the list of the invasive species that have arrived in the Cerrado environment. In this context, invasive mussels may affect native species, but there is little information on their environmental interaction. The study area was the low-middle Paranaíba River, located in and around the hydroelectric power plant of Cachoeira Dourada. In total, 386 specimens were captured and measured, and the reproductive status was defined through a histological approach. Results showed that the mussel shell length varied from 3.8 to 35.5 mm (215.73 ± 5.53 mm); width, from 1.9 to 14.1 mm (7.20 ± 2.24 mm); and height, from 1.4 to 11.8 mm (5.84 ± 2.00 mm). Hence, the populations discovered is likely to be in its third year, and the histological assessment showed that the mussels are reproducing actively. Results indicated that the process of invasion was enhanced by human activities, such as fish farming, considering that the golden mussel is an emerging bio-infestation concern, and it should be considered a serious threat to native species on the Brazilian Cerrado ecosystem. Further studies on cohabitation and interaction with native species are needed.

Influence of fire regime on the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of frog communities in a fire-prone Brazilian ecosystem

Fire is a natural disturbance that has shaped Earth's biodiversity for millions of years. In a fire-prone ecosystems, fire acts as an important environmental filter, selecting species presenting tolerant traits to fire events and post-fire environmental conditions. It is expected that intense fire activity selects for closely-related species, thus promoting a phylogenetic and functional clustering of communities. In view of the severe changes in natural fire regimes observed in different regions of the planet, an increasing body of research has been dedicated to exploring their impact on frogs, a particularly susceptible group in the context of wildfires. However, it is notable that most of the research focuses on the traditional dimension of diversity, the taxonomic diversity, leaving a significant gap in our understanding of how fire disturbances affect the phylogenetic diversity of these communities. Here, we tested the effects of three fire regime parameters (i.e., total burned area, time since the last fire and fire count at the landscape scale) on the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of frog communities in 26 sites within a fire-prone Brazilian protected area. We used Hill numbers to characterize the taxonomic (Species richness, Shannon and Simpson's diversity) and phylogenetic diversity (Phylogenetic richness, Mean phylogenetic diversity of common lineages and Mean phylogenetic diversity of dominant lineages). We found that the fire regime did not explain patterns of the taxonomic diversity. Nonetheless, there was a positive correlation between phylogenetic richness and the frequency of fire occurrences, while a slight negative correlation was observed with the percentage of burned area. In addition, moderate fire activity seems to be an important driver of phylogenetic diversity. Therefore, management practices toward a mosaic of areas with different fire histories are fundamental in this protected area. We finally emphasize that all diversity facets of anurans should be assessed and considered in management decisions to guaranteeing anuran conservation in this region.

Use of shrimp farming waste in the production of biomaterials for sustainable agriculture and mitigation of environmental damage

AbstractBackgroundDue to the environmental degradation caused by shrimp farming in Brazilian mangrove ecosystems, it is of great importance to develop techniques capable of inserting waste into the production chain, strengthening the premise of sustainable shrimp farming development due to its economic and social impact. In this work, solid residues from shrimp farming were used as a slow‐release fertilizer (SRF) in formulations that also contain chitosan, montmorillonite, and urea.ResultsFertilizer granules produced without (FERT A) and with additional layers (FERT B) were characterized by elemental analysis (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen), obtaining values of 14.4%–18.4% for carbon, 5.6%–6.9% for hydrogen, and 12.3%–19.3% for nitrogen. The fertilizers had low C/N ratios of around 1.0–1.50, compared to a value of 0.87 for urea, the nitrogen fertilizer most widely used in Brazilian agriculture. Release tests in water showed the same release pattern in the first 5 min for FERT A and FERT B, with <10% urea release. After 30 min, the release from the fertilizers progressively increased, reaching >60% after 1 day and a maximum of 95%–97% after 15 days. In the first 3 days of incubation in the soil, the releases of nitrogen from FERT A, FERT B, and conventional urea presented different patterns, with values of 32%, 10%, and 90%, respectively. After incubation for 25 days, FERT A and FERT B presented nitrogen releases lower than 78%, confirming the slow release of the nutrient from these fertilizers. Degradation experiments showed that the fertilizers were biodegradable in the soil, with degradation exceeding 60% after 30 days, indicating that they could be applied to the soil without leaving residues.ConclusionsThe fertilizer granules produced are SRFs that have the potential to increase the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization, reducing the frequency of applications and minimizing nitrogen losses in the soil. In addition, they enable the reuse of shrimp farming waste, producing a new material of agricultural interest.

Agriculture in the cerrado: a sleeping giant rose up

Cerrado is a savanna biome, the second in extension among Brazilian ecosystems. The soils of the Cerrado are among the oldest on Earth. Weathering effects resulted in impoverished, acid soils in the Cerrado. Until the inauguration of Brasília (the capital of Brazil) in central Brazil, Cerrado was regarded as useless for agricultural exploitation. Research and implementation of techniques of soil fertilization, plant and animal genetics, breeding, and farming technology turned the Cerrado the main Brazilian area for food production. Notable gains in overall production and productivity of several crops were obtained. Over four decades, grain production in Brazil increased 6-fold, whereas the cultivated area increased 1.6-fold. Brazil became the third world’s food producer and the second top exporter of food products. On the other hand, much of the original extension of the Cerrado domain was replaced by farming fields. In consequence, Cerrado is presently the most threatened Brazilian biome, chiefly due to losses and fragmentation of natural habitats. A balance between farming and environmental protection of the Cerrado is needed, aiming a sustainable food production, by means of a harmonic convivence of farming and environment preservation.

Tree height, leaf thickness and seed size drive Caatinga plants' sensitivity to climate change

AbstractAimThe Anthropocene climate crisis may shift the distribution range of various species. Global Climate Models predict an increase in temperature and changes in precipitation across the Brazilian tropical semiarid region. Based on the joint analysis of functional traits and plant distribution models, we aim to identify which functional traits define the vulnerability of plants to climate change.LocationCaatinga, Brazil.TaxonTrees‐shrub plants.MethodsWe selected 36 species common to at least 25% of the floristic and phytosociological surveys made in the Brazilian semiarid region. We modelled both the current and future spatial distribution of these species and investigated whether functional traits, such as plant height, leaf area, leaf thickness, specific leaf area, stem specific density, and seed size can explain the range shifts of these species.ResultsModels indicate that 58.4% of the species are expected to expand their distribution range in the future. These species tend to be shorter and produce large seeds and thin leaves, which confer higher hydraulic safety and resistance of seeds to prolonged droughts. Meanwhile, 41.6% of the species are expected to reduce their distribution ranges in the future. Most of these are characterized as tall individuals with thick leaves and small seeds.ConclusionSpecies with traits that confer resistance to drought are likely to increase distribution towards the coast and to areas where the Caatinga borders with other domains. Also, these species with low height, thin leaves and large seeds may expand their distribution to the slopes and plateaus. The retraction of taller plants and with thicker leaves may have profound implications for the structure and functioning of Brazilian semiarid ecosystems, given their role in ecosystem processes and carbon cycle. Retractions can result in a reduction in the number of local species, which will impact regional biodiversity.

Trends and gaps in the study of fire effects on plant–animal interactions in Brazilian ecosystems

AbstractPlant–animal interactions are pervasive in terrestrial ecosystems. They hold relevant ecological information for guiding biodiversity conservation and restoration practices. Despite plant–animal interactions being particularly sensitive to disturbance, the knowledge about how fire, a remarkable driver of changes in ecosystem structure and functioning, affects these relationships is still limited. In this sense, the assessment of how studies investigate the fire effects on plant–animal interactions through a systematic review proves to be relevant to guide future research agenda. In this study, we reviewed studies regarding the effects of fire on plant–animal interactions conducted in Brazil, which hosts many different fire‐prone and fire‐sensitive ecosystems and harbours several plant and animal species. Supported by an integrative database, we summarized the main goals, methodologies, and taxonomic groups used in studies addressing the effects of fire on plant–animal interactions and pointed out some shortfalls that future research should avoid and gaps that they shall fulfil. In sum, 39 studies published from 1995 to 2022 met our criteria of inclusion in the database. Most of them were conducted in Cerrado and mainly evaluated ant–plant or plant–pollinator interactions. In addition, studies were generally designed with inappropriate experimental approaches that commonly disregard relevant fire attributes that are important drivers of ecosystem structure and functioning. Altogether, our review shows that studies evaluating this topic present a geographic and taxonomic bias, which overlooks particular plant–animal interactions, and that we still have a superficial understanding of fire effects on plant–animal interactions in Brazilian ecosystems.

Carbon dioxide and methane emissions across tropical and subtropical inland water ecosystems in Brazil: meta-analysis of general patterns and potential drivers

Investigations on CO2 and CH4 emissions from aquatic systems have increased in the last decades, but most studies focus on high-latitude water bodies, with limited information available for tropical and subtropical zones. Here, we compiled CO2 and CH4 emissions by lentic, lotic, and other types of aquatic ecosystems (e.g., floodplains, estuaries, and mangroves) in different biomes in Brazil. We used a literature search of papers published in the last ~ 30 years to analyze reported emission rates, if they were from the diffusive (DF) and/or ebullitive (EB) pathways, and the most used methods. Most studies were carried out in two biomes (Amazon and Atlantic rainforest). The highest emissions were reported in lentic ecosystems (from 0.05 to 4568 mmol CO2 m-2 day-1, and from 0.19 to 348 mmol CH4 m-2 day-1). The DF pathway was more frequently analyzed, and the floating chamber was the most used measurement method. Our analyses indicated the EB pathway can be significant, especially for CH4 in shallow waters. There were many missing data for either DF or EB so we used studies that measured both and system depth to estimate the missing values and then used total emissions (DF+EB) to run predictive models. For the CO2 emissions, pH, water depth, dissolved oxygen, and water temperature were important predictors, whereas the potential drivers for the CH4 emissions were electrical conductivity and the CO2 emissions. More data are necessary to more clearly characterize the drivers of the emissions of such gases, further understand the dynamics of their emissions, as well as refine emission inventories on both regional and global scales in tropical regions.

Temporal Evolution of Vapor Pressure Deficit Observed in Six Locations of Different Brazilian Ecosystems and Its Relationship with Micrometeorological Variables

In this study, data collected from 2000 to 2019 on vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and its relationship with micrometeorological variables (fire occurrences, aerosol concentration, temperature, and carbon flux) were analyzed in six locations situated in different Brazilian ecosystems: Rio Branco, AC; Manaus, AM; Alta Floresta, MT (within the Amazon Rainforest); Baia das Pedras, MT (Pantanal); Fazenda Miranda, MT (Cerrado); and Petrolina, PE (northeastern semiarid region). Temporal series analysis of VPD was conducted by determining the principal component of singular spectrum analysis (SSA) for this variable in all locations. It was observed that the main component of SSA for VPD is sensitive to local land-use changes, while no evidence of large-scale influences related to global climate change was observed. A strong coupling between VPD values and local maximum temperature with monthly fire occurrence and logarithmic aerosol concentration profiles was also observed. The results of the study are discussed in the context of the ecosystems’ carbon sequestration capacity. The combined results of the study indicate a scenario in which local land-use changes can compromise the capacity of Brazilian ecosystems to absorb carbon.

Integrating climate change into agroforestry conservation: A case study on native plant species in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract Designing multispecies systems with suitable climatic affinity and identifying species' vulnerability under human‐driven climate change are current challenges to achieve successful adaptation of natural systems. To address this problem, we need to (1) identify groups of species with climatic similarity under climate scenarios and (2) identify areas with high conservation value under predicted climate change. To recognize species with similar climatic niche requirements that can be grouped for mixed cropping in Brazil, we employed ecological niche models (ENMs) and Spearman's ρ for overlap. We also used prioritization algorithms to map areas of high conservation value using two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP2‐4.5 and SSP5‐8.5) to assess mid‐term (2041–2060) and long‐term (2061–2080) climate change impacts. We identified 15 species groups with finer climatic affinities at different times depicted on hierarchical clustering dendrograms, which can be combined into agroecological agroforestry systems. Furthermore, we highlight the climatically suitable areas for these groups of species, thus providing an outlook of where different species will need to be planted over time to be conserved. In addition, we observed that climate change is predicted to modify the spatial association of these groups under different future climate scenarios, causing a mean negative change in species climatic similarity of 9.5% to 13.7% under SSP2‐4.5 scenario and 9.5% to 10.5% under SSP5‐8.5, for 2041–2060 and 2061–2080, respectively. Synthesis and applications. Our findings provide a framework for agroforestry conservation. The groups of species with finer climatic affinities identified and the climatically suitable areas can be combined into agroecological productive systems, and provide an outlook of where different species may be planted over time. In addition, the conservation priority zones displaying high climate stability for each species individually and all at once can be incorporated into Brazil's conservation plans by policymakers to prioritize specific sites. Lastly, we urge policymakers, conservation organizations and donors to promote interventions involving farmers and local communities, since the species' evaluated have proven to maintain landscapes with productive forest fragments and can be conserved in different Brazilian ecosystems.

MOTIVATIONS BEHIND ACTORS’ COOPERATION IN CIRCULAR ECOSYSTEMS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW AND A BRAZILIAN CASE STUDY

AbstractThe circular economy (CE) aims at the cycling of resources through restorative and regenerative strategies. To achieve circularity, coordination of several actors is necessary. The interaction among actors allows the connection between the CE and ecosystem research fields. Although fundamental, the relationships, mainly cooperation, among actors within an ecosystem to foster circularity is not deeply explored in the literature. The objective of this study was to identify the possibilities of cooperation within circular ecosystems, in particular, the motivations that make the actors interact to achieve a CE. A systematic literature review (SLR) and a case study of a Brazilian ecosystem specialized in the recycling of carton packages to manufacture ecological tiles were conducted. The goal was to identify the motivations through the SLR and the case study so the theoretical and the empirical results could be compared. As a result, 28 motivations for actors to engage in ecosystems driven by circularity were identified. In order to achieve a complete and circular solution, actors must be able to clearly understand their roles and relationships so that they can establish new partnerships or reframe those already established.

Differences in feeding ecology of the pink shrimps Penaeus brasiliensis and P. paulensis (Decapoda: Penaeidae) in Brazilian tropical ecosystems

Differences in feeding ecology of the pink shrimps Penaeus brasiliensis and P. paulensis (Decapoda: Penaeidae) in Brazilian tropical ecosystems