Brazilian Red List Research Articles

Bromeliad species of the Atlantic forest of north-east Brazil: losses of critical populations of endemic species

In this paper we examine the number of known populations of 86 bromeliad species recorded in the Atlantic forest of north-east Brazil, to test the following predictions: (1) the current number of populations of most bromeliad species inhabiting the Atlantic forest of north-east Brazil is critically low, (2) the number of extant populations of a particular species is associated with the ecological attributes of the species, and (3) habitat loss determines, at least in part, the current distribution and number of populations of each species. At present there are at least 535 bromeliad populations in this forest but 61.6% of species have <6 populations and 24.4% have only one known population. The mean number of populations per species was significantly lower among species endemic to this part of the Atlantic forest, species recorded in only one vegetation type, forest and inselberg species, and obligatory epiphytic and terrestrial species. We were unable to relocate 41 populations recorded between 1920 and 1996, and populations of 20 species have become locally extinct. For these bromeliads geographic range, habitat specificity and life form appear to determine which species are more vulnerable to extinction. The species that have <6 extant populations include 27 species that are endemic to this forest. These species need to be evaluated for inclusion on both the IUCN and Brazilian Red Lists. Some of these species will only survive if the fragments containing the last populations are declared as protected areas.

Conservation of Terrestrial Invertebrates and Their Habitats in Brazil

Abstract: As one of the world's prime megadiverse countries, Brazil holds an immense number of terrestrial invertebrates. Current knowledge of this biota is very heterogeneous. Several taxa are sufficiently well known to be used as indicators of ecological integrity or of endemism. The current Brazilian national and regional red lists include 130 terrestrial invertebrate species, of which 42% are butterflies. These lists are contingent on available knowledge, and many taxa that are omitted certainly include species at risk. Knowledge of various biomes and habitats is also quite irregular, with the Caatinga and Pantanal in need of more study, compared with the Atlantic Forest, the Amazon, and Cerrado. Canopy, host‐associated, and soil faunas also need further intensive study. Invertebrate conservation will be promoted more effectively by habitat preservation and management rather than single‐species initiatives. To this end, better geographic surveys of entire taxonomic or functional assemblages are needed. An improved understanding of the invertebrate role in ecosystem processes will strengthen enormously the case for their conservation.

An overview of mammalian conservation at Poço das Antas Biological Reserve, southeastern Brazil

Atlantic Forest mammals are still poorly known and very few localities have been properly surveyed and/or studied. Protected reserves are of paramount importance for the conservation of native flora and fauna. Hereby we provide a survey of mammals captured and/or observed in Poço das Antas Biological Reserve, the largest lowland Atlantic Forest reserve in Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil. A total of 77 species were recorded, several of them endemics and/or listed as threatened either by IUCN's Red List, by the Brazilian Red List or by the regional Red List of Rio de Janeiro State. Mammals are threatened in several ways in this area: (1) habitat loss and fragmentation, (2) road mortality, (3) fires, (4) poaching, (5) cattle grazing, (6) pollution, (7) exotic species, and (8) feral populations of dogs Canis familiaris and cats Felis catus . Despite all threats, this is an important site for biodiversity conservation and scientific research. Better management and more investment would surely improve its effectiveness in protecting Atlantic Forest mammals.