Cerrado Rupestre Research Articles

Clustered-map probabilistic cellular automata for fire propagation in the Brazilian Cerrado with heterogeneous vegetation and wind interference

<abstract><p>Wildfires pose a significant threat to both biodiversity and human communities, and understanding their behavior and the rate at which they burn through different vegetation types is crucial for effective management and conservation. In this research, we present a comprehensive analysis of wildfire behavior and vegetation burning rates in the unique ecosystem of Sete Cidades National Park. To achieve this, we adopt a qualiquantitative approach that combines both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, considering the multifaceted variables at play, including wind conditions, various vegetation types, and the dynamics of fire progression. We conducted an extensive dataset comprising $ 100 $ simulations for each of three distinct scenarios, ensuring robustness in our data for statistical analysis. By incorporating qualitative data obtained through field observations and expert opinions, we gain a deeper understanding of the contextual nuances specific to Sete Cidades National Park. This approach enriches the interpretation of our quantitative results, providing valuable context and real-world relevance. Our materials include a cellular automaton lattice with $ 200 \times 200 $ cells, representing the diverse landscape of the study area. We used MATLAB to visualize this landscape, generating distinct representations of the scenarios. Our findings reveal the distribution of different vegetation types across these scenarios, emphasizing the resilience of Rupestrian Cerrado, the diversity of Typical Cerrado, and the importance of Riparian Forest in preserving aquatic ecosystems. This research contributes to the broader understanding of wildfire management, considering the interdisciplinary aspects of environmental science, forestry, and meteorology. By integrating knowledge from diverse fields, we provide a holistic analysis that can inform effective conservation strategies and wildfire management practices.</p></abstract>

Pleroma goyazense (Melastomataceae), a new species from Goiás state, Brazil, and a new synonym in Pleroma

We describe here the new species Pleroma goyazense, including illustrations, geographic distribution, habitat data, and preliminary conservation status according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list criteria. We also propose to synonymize Pleroma nodosum under Pleroma robustum, a decision corroborated by the study of Pleroma species with similarities to P. goyazense. Pleroma goyazense is endemic to the state of Goiás, Brazil, occurring in cerrado rupestre (rupestrine savanna) on rocky outcrops or crevices, environments that are also shared by similar species P. crassirame and P. robustum. Pleroma goyazense differs from P. crassirame in having sparsely leaves arranged on the upper branches and pedoconnective stamens with a dorsal appendage. It also differs from P. robustum in having lanceolate, non-involucral bracteoles, and sepals acuminate at the apex.

A new purple-flowered Butia (Arecaceae) from the highlands of the Chapada dos Veadeiros (Brazil)

Background and aims – The highlands of the Chapada dos Veadeiros region comprise one of the largest savannah areas in central Brazil. The region includes large areas of the rare and little-known cerrado rupestre, which is home to numerous endemic species. During research on the Arecaceae flora of Chapada dos Veadeiros, a new species of Butia was discovered, and it is described here. Material and methods – The morphology and anatomy are described based on field collections. Following the default methodology, pinnae and flowers were analysed using LM (freehand cross- and longitudinal sections) and SEM. The new species is compared to its morphologically similar species from the Brazilian central plateau, and an identification key and distribution map were established. Key results – At first sight, the new species Butia soffiae resembles B. archeri, but with staminate and pistillate flowers, which are always purple, different in size, and congested in the rachillae. After close inspection, it is morphologically allied to B. buenopolensis, differing mainly by its glaucous peduncular bract – similar size to the inflorescence, herbaceous peduncle, numerous rachillae, purple floral colour, and inconspicuous staminodes. Differences in leaf anatomy, such as the presence of raphides, a cross-sectionally truncated midrib, and the number of accessory bundles on the midrib, also support the description of a new species. Two structures were recorded for the first time for the genus: squamiform trichomes at the base of the pistil and osmophores on the staminodes. The new species is assessed as Critically Endangered based on the restricted area of occurrence and anthropogenic threats. Conclusion – Butia soffiae is the first endemic Butia species described in Chapada dos Veadeiros. The type population is located near Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, which is the subject of a bill that aims to reduce its area by 73%. The discovery of this new species reinforces the uniqueness of the local flora and the importance of maintaining the park.

Microlicia indurata (Melastomataceae: Lavoisiereae), a new narrow endemic from Serra dos Pireneus, Goiás, Brazil

Microlicia indurata is described as a new species from cerrado rupestre in the Serra dos Pireneus of Goiás, Brazil. Illustrations, photos taken in the field, a distribution map, a recommended conservation assessment, and a discussion of putative related species based on morphological similarities are provided. Microlicia indurata is readily recognized by its openly branched shrubby habit, sessile elliptic-lanceolate to elliptic-ovate 5–7-nerved leaf blades that are moderately to copiously covered with short (mostly 0.5–0.7 mm) gland-tipped trichomes on both surfaces, 6-merous, solitary, sessile flowers, caducous calyx lobes that greatly exceed the hypanthia at anthesis, white petals, red antesepalous (large) anthers, 6-locular ovaries that are ca. ⅓ inferior, and mature capsules that are hard and woody with a somewhat protruding tapered acute apex. It is compared with M. pohliana, its presumed closest relative, and the superficially similar M. mucorifera and M. nervulosa.

Morpho-anatomical traits and leaf nutrient concentrations vary between plant communities in the Cerrado–Amazonia transition?

Leaves are the most variable plant organ, responding and adapting to the environment in the long and short term. However, the link between leaf functional traits and environmental gradients is challenging, especially in systems of high diversity, such as transitional regions between savannas and tropical forests that are considered unstable. Here we evaluate anatomical and morphological traits and nutrient concentrations for the most representative woody species of four vegetation types (i.e., semideciduous forest, cerradão, typical cerrado, and cerrado rupestre) in the Amazonia–Cerrado transition to explore how vegetation will respond to changes in the environment. We found that closed-canopy species invested in traits related to rapid resource acquisition (e.g., higher leaf water content, larger stomata size, and higher maximum opening of the stomatal pore), while open-canopy species optimized traits related to resource conservation and protection from physical damage (e.g., higher leaf thickness, smallest maximum stomatal pore opening and smaller size of stomata). Our study shows that functional traits play an important role in adapting to environmental gradients and help explain the performance of trees in the Amazonia–Cerrado transition, opening the door to a more accurate prediction of plant community responses over time.

How substrate type and elevation drive woody communities and influence species ecological strategies in the Brazilian savanna at local scale

AbstractEnvironmental heterogeneity can influence the formation of different vegetation types, even at small spatial scales. However, little is known about the factors that drive communities at local scales and species' mechanisms to adapt to different environments. Here, we investigated the influence of local environmental conditions and spatiality on the floristic variation of woody vegetation and ecological strategies of shrub‐tree species in the Brazilian savanna. We sampled adjacent sites in three substrate types—deep soil at high altitude (in Red Oxisol, with vegetation locally called Typical Cerrado—TCRO), deep soil, sandy and at low elevation (Typical Cerrado in Entisol Quartzipsamment—TCEQ), and shallow soil with rocky outcrops at high elevation (in Entisol Lithic, with vegetation known locally as Rupestrian Cerrado—RCEL). At each environment, we inventoried the vegetation, analyzed the physical–chemical soil properties, and recorded the elevation and geographic coordinates. For the most representative species of each site and the most common one among the environments, we evaluated the functional attributes (leaf nutrient concentration, specific leaf area, and maximum population heights). We showed that substrate type and elevation explain most of the floristic variation at the local scale and that the low nutritional demand constitutes the main strategy used by the species in RCEL, while in TCEQ and TCRO, species are more efficient in resource acquisition. Our results revealed that local ecological factors and processes drive species distribution. Therefore, variations in vegetation, even at the local scale must be considered to conserve biodiversity effectively.

Richness and composition of Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) in Brazilian rupestrian cerrados, with comments on distribution and taxonomy

Several studies that involve a faunal survey of Cladocera in Brazil have been carried out in recent years; however, knowledge of the distribution and diversity of species of this group in semiterrestrial and aquatic bodies of rupestrian cerrado is still rare. The present study evaluated the richness and composition of cladoceran species in these environments in the central parts of the country. Samples were collected at nine sites of rupestrian cerrado from 2011 to 2012. In total, 47 cladocerans species were identified, belonging to six families, emphasizing the Chydoridae family with the greatest richness (32 species) and abundance. The species Bryospilus repens had its first record for the state of Goiás and the Brazilian Midwest. Other species were also recorded for the first time: Leberis davidi for the state of Minas Gerais, and Alona yara and Flavalona asymmetrica for the state of Bahia. This demonstrates that rupestrian cerrados are relevant for cladoceran diversity on a regional scale. Carrying out new inventories of cladocerans in similar phytophysiognomies could contribute significantly to the knowledge of the biodiversity of these animals in Brazil, in addition to providing updates on the geographic distribution of species already recorded in previous studies.

Cerrado Rupestre is not Campo Rupestre: The unknown and threatened savannah on rocky outcrops

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The importance of pollination and dispersal syndromes for the conservation of Cerrado Rupestre fragments on ironstone outcrops immersed in an agricultural landscape

Studies on pollination and seed dispersal are essential for the conservation of plant diversity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the pollination and dispersal syndromes of five fragments of the Cerrado Rupestre immersed in an agricultural landscape to answer the following questions: (i) What is the frequency of pollination and dispersal syndromes among species and individuals?; (ii) Which are the predominant pollination and seed dispersal syndromes in this environment?. A total of 66 species, belonging to 44 genera and 29 botanical families, were evaluated. Melittophily was the most common type of pollination syndrome, observed in 54.55% of the species, followed by phalenophily (9.09%), cantharophily, ornithophily, quiropterophilly and sphingophily (all 3.03%), and psychophilly (1.51%). Generalist pollination represented 22.73% of the records. Of the 1246 individuals identified, 59.23% were melitophilous, 25.20% generalists, 5.86% phalenophilous, 3.37% quiropterophilous, 2.49% cantharophilous, 2.25% ornithophilous, 1.44% sphingophilous and 0.16% psychophilous. Regarding dispersion syndromes, zoochory was the most common type of dispersion, observed in 68.18% of the species, followed by anemochory (28.79%) and autochory (3.03%). On the other hand, the frequency among individuals differed from the values found for frequency among species. Of the 1246 individuals identified, 55.38% were anemochoric, 43.10% zoochoric, and 1.52% autochoric. Our results demonstrate the predominance of biotic syndromes in the community, especially melittophily and zoochory, contributing to a better understanding of the functionality and availability of resources in the community, as well as indispensable information for the conservation, management, and restoration of natural environments.

Structural leaf attributes indicate different degrees of xeromorphism: New discoveries in co-occurring species of savanna and forest formations

The diversity of environments in the Neotropical region has different environmental filters on vegetation. The southern face of the Amazon is exposed to high rainfall seasonality and poor soils, which imposes a severe environmental filtering. Plants with structural and functional adaptations can occur in specific locations due to microenvironmental characteristics. We investigated how anatomical-leaf attributes of seven co-occurring species of savanna and forest formations respond to the environmental conditions of their phytophysiognomies using usual optical microscopy techniques and statistical models. The species have different strategies to support environmental conditions. Even under a more limiting rainfall regime, plants living in seasonal forests closely related with savannic areas (Cerradão area - CDA) are less endowed with xeromorphic characteristics, which we can attribute to the conditions of continuous canopy and soil, comparatively more clayey than savanna soils. The species associated with rocky outcrops more closely related to savannic habitats (Rupestrian Cerrado of Transition area - RCT) showed greater investment in thickness of epidermal cell walls and the total thickness of the central vein. These species, together with the species associated with rocky outcrops more closely related to forest habitats (Amazon Savanna on Rocky Outcrops area - ASR), demonstrated greater investment in cuticle, straight anticline walls, straight periclinal walls or straight and convex periclinal walls, epidermis thickness, parenchyma, secretory ducts, collenchyma and sclerenchymatous fibers. Our findings reveal species’ different responses to environmental conditions: ASR and RCT species present a likely longer (temporal) selective process with a high investment in hydraulic safety, but RCT species showed greater xeromorphism; CDA forms a less xeromorphic microenvironment. The leaf xeromorphism is not only determined by the rainfall levels or soil fertility characteristics, but also by the degree of exposure of these plants to solar radiation and local seasonality.

Integrating remote and biogeochemical data: Analyzing the potential of gamma ray spectrometric data for mapping Cerrado vegetation types

This study integrates remote and chemical data to investigate the potential use of potassium (K), thorium (Th), and uranium (U) radioisotopes for mapping Cerrado physiognomies. Because soil and vegetation are interdependent, the vegetation over the substrate reflects this relationship. Moreover, the physiognomic extracts that accompany the distribution of elements associated with the movement of this substrate in soil can be identified. Gamma ray spectrometric data have been used primarily for mineral exploration; however, the present study addresses the potential of these data for identifying vegetation. Using a multivariate analysis, it is possible to compare radioisotope data and their relationship to vegetation. The current study area is located in the northwest of Goiás, an area of conserved phytophysiognomic diversity that enables studies of the Cerrado vegetation. An initial cluster analysis defined five vegetation cover types: cerradão, cerrado rupestre, cerrado sensu stricto and campo limpo. Dendrograms demonstrated a positive relationship in the radioisotopes absorbed by certain plants; furthermore, their availability in the soil confirmed that it is possible to identify vegetation groups using the same absorption behavior. This soil-plant relationship divides groups that have the capacity for the absorption of radioisotopes with remote gamma-spectrometry data. Even considering that each species might react differently because of absorption and the bioavailability of elements in the soil, a relationship between absorption and remote data was identified. Furthermore, this relationship is reflected in the physiognomy, as confirmed by a multivariate discriminant analysis. The result of the analysis showed the potential of Th and K radioisotopes with regard to phytophysiognomic mapping.

Diversity and structural changes in Cerrado Rupestre under effects of disturbances

Vegetation formations are undergoing constant floristic and structural change over time and space. Assessing these changes represents an important step to understand the effects of disturbances and propose ecosystem conservation and management strategies. We still lack, however, information on the dynamics of the woody vegetation in Cerrado Rupestre (rupestrian Cerrado—RC) formations over time, which comprise important refuge of the vegetation of the Brazilian Savanna and occur on rocky outcrops, which are considered restrictive environments. In this context, we describe the changes in floristic composition, richness, species diversity and structure of vegetation in RC over 12-year and link patterns to the disturbances that occur in the area—wildfire and cattle presence. We gathered data from three surveys conducted in RC in the Pireneus State Park (PSP), Goias, Brazil. We also registered hot pixels inside the study area and in the PSP neighboring area indicating presence of bovine and equine cattle in the Park. Disturbances, occurrence of wildfires, and presence of cattle promoted changes in vegetation structure, with a decrease in the number of small individuals, but not in diversity parameters. The increase in richness, evenness and diversity, even under the effect of disturbances, demonstrates the resilience of the RC. However, if these disturbances keep occurring, resilience will be compromised, with clearer changes in floristic composition and vegetation structure, according to what we proposed in a theoretical model describing the synergistic influence of cattle presence, exotic grass and wildfires on the dynamics of the Cerrado Rupestre.

Estrutura foliar de Byrsonima coccolobifolia Kunth. (Malpighiaceae) em ambiente de cerrado e campo rupestre

Byrsonima coccolobifolia Kunth. (Malpighiaceae) é citada como planta apícola, forrageira, produtora de frutos comestíveis e como planta medicinal, podendo ser utilizada como diurética (uso interno, em infusão) a partir das cascas dos caules e dos frutos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um estudo quali-quantitativo das características anatômicas da folhas desta espécie que ocorre em áreas de cerrado e campo rupestre. As observações anatômicas foram realizadas em folhas de material fresco ou fixado, tratadas segundo metodologias usuais em anatomia vegetal. Foram observadas as seguintes características: epidermes do pecíolo e da lâmina foliar uniestratificadas; estômatos do tipo paracítico presentes somente na face abaxial da folha; mesofilo com parênquima paliçádico de uma só camada de células; parênquima lacunoso com sete a nove camadas celulares com formas irregulares e tamanhos variados; idioblastos cristalíferos, observados em todos os parênquimas do pecíolo e lâmina foliar; feixes vasculares, do tipo colateral; colênquima observado, subepidermicamente, no pecíolo e nervuras de maior porte, nas duas faces; o padrão geral de nervação da espécie é pinado, camptódromo, broquidódromo. As análises micromorfométricas revelaram diferenças significativas em todos os itens quantitativos analisados, sendo as médias mais elevadas encontradas nas folhas das plantas crescendo no cerrado. Isto sugere que a influência de fatores ambientais pode ter modulado respostas morfológicas nas plantas, visto que o tipo e distribuição qualitativa dos tecidos não sofreram alterações nos dois ambientes.

<p><strong>Typifications, synonymizations and nomenclatural notes in <em>Myrcia</em> sect. <em>Reticulosae</em> (Myrtaceae)</strong></p>

Myrcia sect. Reticulosae comprises ca. 15 Brazilian endemic species distributed mainly in Atlantic Forest, Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) and Campo Rupestre (rocky outcrop vegetation). These species appeared as a cohesive group for the first time in recent phylogenetic hypotheses and their taxonomic revision is currently underway. In this context, this study aims to properly link the names to their respective type materials, presenting necessary lectotypifications and neotypifications, along with nomenclatural notes for nine species. Additionally, two new synonyms are proposed.

Ferruginous Rupestrian Savannah: a floristic and structural analysis of these rare environments

The flora of the Rupestrian Savannah (Cerrado Rupestre) is composed of widely distributed species and endemic species from high altitude rocky outcrops. The aim of this study was to characterise the floristic composition, structure and diversity of fragments of Rupestrian Savannah in south-eastern Brazil and to examine the similarity with other rupestrian cerrado vegetations and with cerrado sensu stricto on profound soils. For this, phytosociological parameters, evenness and diversity were calculated and compared with other studies. The survey exhibited 72 species, 45 genera, 30 families and high floristic similarity with cerrado on profound soils. There were no indicator species of the Rupestrian Savannah, but there were typical species of rocky environments. The basal area was significantly larger in the profound soil cerrado in relationship to the Rupestrian Savannah and evenness was lower in the Rupestrian Savannah of this study compared to others. These variables reflect the lower exploration capacity of the root of rocky environments. The highest similarity between the Rupestrian Savannah and cerrado on profound soils refers to the canga ferruginous nature, which represents the limit of the tableland of cerrado on the edge of the plateaus, allowing greater sharing of flora.

Structure and Use of a Rocky Cerrado in Northeastern Brazil: Does the Ecological Appearancy Hypothesis Explain this Relationship?

The aim of this study was to characterize the vegetation structure of a low-altitude rupestrian Cerrado in the state of Piauí and to evaluate its economic exploitation by the population. The research was developed in the Castelo do Piauí. Vegetation sampling was performed by the Minimum Phytosociological Assessment Protocol (MPAP). The phytosociological parameters were obtained through the Software R. The use of the species was surveyed through interviews with the community, after which the value of use was analyzed and the hypothesis of the ecological appearancy was tested. In all 73.7% of the species found are useful for the community and the timber category was the most prominent. The hypothesis of the ecological appearancy showed a negative relation between the use and some phytosociological parameters.

Soil Influences on Tree Species Distribution in a Rupestrian Cerrado Area

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze relations between the distribution of tree species and variations in soil texture, fertility and organic matter levels in a rupestrian cerrado area located in Diamantina-MG. Individual trees with circumference at soil level (PC) ≥ 3 cm were sampled in 10 plots of 20x50m. Samples of surface soil (0.00-0.20 m of depth) were collected from each plot and analyzed for their chemical and physical properties. Through canonical correspondence analysis, Eremanthus incanus, Kielmeyera lathrophyton, Terminalia sp and Vochysia discolor show a stronger relation to higher potassium and remaining phosphorus levels; the species Xylopia sericea, Protium spruceanum and Protium heptaphyllum show a stronger relation to higher levels of organic matter and total cation exchange capacity; the species Roupala montana, Qualea grandiflora, and Erythroxylum suberosum grew uniformly in all plots. There is relation between species distribution and chemical and physical soil variables in the area.

Together yet separate: variation in soil chemistry determines differences in the arboreal-shrub structure of two contiguous rupestrian environments

ABSTRACT Rupestrian landscapes are characterized by vegetation mosaics comprised of different plant communities and strongly linked to environmental filters. These environments are nutrient-impoverished, and possess water retention deficits and high solar exposure. This study aimed to determine whether chemical properties of the soil shape the arboreal-shrub vegetation structure in two neighboring habitats; a rupestrian cerrado and a rupestrian grassland. We hypothesized that the habitat with higher soil chemical properties would have higher parameters for vegetation structure, and different species composition. We expected higher chemical properties of the soil to favor a greater variety of plant life-forms. A total of 1349 individuals of 85 species belonging to 24 families were recorded; 1141 individuals (65 species) in the rupestrian cerrado, and 208 individuals (20 species) in the rupestrian grassland. Overall, Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Melastomataceae had greater species richness in both areas. Both habitats floristic composition was strongly influenced by differences in soil chemistry. In the cerrado, species richness, composition, soil nutrient availability and acidity were greater than in the grassland. We demonstrated that variation in soil chemistry influences plant species richness and composition, and structural complexity of vegetation, in both contiguous rupestrian environments, and that soil chemistry heterogeneity yields different plant life-form strategies.

Evolutionary history of campo rupestre: an approach for conservation of woody plant communities

The campo rupestre sensu lato is among the most species-rich vegetation in the world, harbouring a high proportion of endemic species. We aimed to identify the processes that could generate a high level of phylogenetic diversity (PD) in campo rupestre for woody species and point out biodiversity hotspot areas which may provide additional information for conservation planning. We compiled a database of 2049 woody species from 185 community inventories. We calculated the evolutionary history using species richness (SR), PD, mean pairwise phylogenetic distance between species (MPD), the mean nearest taxon distance (MNTD) and their equivalents standardised (ses.PDss, ses.MPD, ses.MNTD), evolutionary distinctiveness (ED), and biogeographically weighted evolutionary distinctiveness (BED). Cloud dwarf-forests had the highest SR, PD, MPD and ses.MPD and lowest MNTD, while rupestrian cerrado presented the highest ses.PD and ses.MNTD. All areas are important for conservation, but the intersections between the hotspots should receive special attention in future conservation actions. The grids identified as hotspots by three or more metrics were localized mainly in Espinhaco Range in Minas Gerais State and a further expansion of protected areas is required. Moreover, the intersections between the hotspots obtained by mean ED and ses.PD are concentrated in the rocky dwarf forest and rupestrian cerrado, with considerable conservation gaps. The degree of protection of campo rupestre was low with unprotected areas comprising 56% of the species. Our results show an urgent need for increasing protected areas of campo rupestre in order to avoid the loss of valuable, endemic species with unique evolutionary history.

Seasonal changes of fructans in dimorphic roots of Ichthyothere terminalis (Spreng.) Blake (Asteraceae) growing in Cerrado

Cerrado is a floristically rich savanna in Brazil, whose vegetation consists of a physiognomic mosaic, influenced by rainfall seasonality. In the dry season rainfall is substantially lower and reduces soil water supply, mainly for herbs and subshrubs. Climatic seasonal variations may well define phenological shifts and induce fluctuations of plant reserve pools. Some Cerrado native species have thickened underground organs that bear buds and store reserves, as adaptive features to enable plant survival following environmental stresses. Asteraceae species accumulate fructans in storage organs, which are not only reserve, but also protecting compounds against the effects of cold and drought. Ichthyothere terminalis is one Asteraceae species abundant in cerrado rupestre, with underground organs consisting of thickened orthogravitropic and diagravitropic roots. The objectives of this study were to analyze how abiotic environmental factors and plant phenology influence fructan dynamics in field grown plants, and verify if fructan metabolism differs in both root types for one year. I. terminalis accumulates inulin-type fructans in 10–40% of the dry mass in both root types. Fructan dynamics have similar patterns described for other Asteraceae species, exhibiting a proportional increase of polysaccharides with the senescence of the aerial organs. Multivariate analyzes showed that, as rainfall decreased, environmental factors had a stronger influence on metabolite levels than phenological shifts in both root types. Only slight differences were found in fructan dynamics between orthogravitropic and diagravitropic roots, suggesting they may have similar fructan metabolism regulation. However, these small differences may reflect distinct microclimatic conditions in both root types and also represent the influence of sink strength.