Chapada Diamantina National Park Research Articles

New records of semiaquatic bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Gerromorpha) from the Caatinga biome, Brazil

Semiaquatic bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Gerromorpha) are small to mid-sized insects, currently represented by more than 2,100 known species distributed on all continents, except for Antarctica. So far, 244 species have been recorded from Brazil, but only 63 from the Northeast Region of the country. The relatively small number of species in this region is related to the virtual lack of knowledge on the fauna of the Caatinga, a biome that is distributed essentially throughout this region. We present here new records for 28 species based on material collected in four Federal Conservation Units of the Caatinga biome: Aiuaba Ecological Station (Ceará state), Chapada Diamantina National Park (Bahia state), Catimbau National Park (Pernambuco state), and Serra das Confusões National Park (Piauí state). Moreover, several species are recorded for the first time from at least one of these states: 11 from Bahia, ten from Ceará, two from Pernambuco, and eight from Piauí.

New species of Marcetia and Microlicia (Melastomataceae) endemic to the campo rupestre of Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil

During recent field expeditions to the Chapada Diamantina (Bahia, Brazil), nine new endemic species of Melastomataceae were collected and are here described and illustrated: Marcetia auricularia, Marcetia santosiae, Marcetia unguiculata, Microlicia ascendens, Microlicia barbata, Microlicia daneui, Microlicia piatensis, Microlicia prostrata, and Microlicia tetramera. We provide photos of living and dry specimens, geographic distribution maps, notes on habitat and phenology for each species, and recommended conservation assessments. Marcetia auricularia, Marcetia unguiculata and Microlicia daneui were collected within a full protection conservation unit, the Chapada Diamantina National Park. Populations of Marcetia santosiae, Microlicia ascendens, Microlicia barbata, Microlicia prostrata, and Microlicia tetramera grow in a sustainable use conservation unit, the Serra do Barbado APA; no protection is afforded to Microlicia piatensis, as it occurs outside all conservation units in the Chapada Diamantina.

Nitrogen dynamics in small watersheds in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado in Northeastern Brazil

The aim of this study was to determine concentrations of nitrogen (N) in two biomes, Atlantic Forest (AF) and Cerrado (CR), at the interface between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This involved evaluating N in vegetation (litterfall), soil and water in small watersheds in environmental protection areas in northeastern Brazil. Soil chemical and physical analyzes were performed and mineralization and nitrification rates were determined. The forms of organic, inorganic and particulate nitrogen in water were determined by spectrophotometry. Two collections were carried out, one in the dry season (October and November 2019) and another in the rainy season (February and March 2020), in two environmental preservation areas, Estação Veracel Private Natural Heritage Reserve - (Atlantic Forest) and Chapada Diamantina National Park (Cerrado), with five small watersheds sampled in each biome. The N concentration in litterfall was similar in both biomes, with averages of 0.69%. In relation to soil and water, N concentrations were higher in AF compared to CR, with concentrations of 0.95 ± 0.40 and 0.59 ± 0.14 µg.Ng-1 of nitrate in the soils of AF and CR, respectively, and 3.53 ± 2.51 µM of nitrate in water in AF and 0.76 ± 0.78 µM in CR.

Patch and landscape features drive fire regime in a Brazilian flammable ecosystem

The flammable ecosystems are evolutionary dependent on the periodic action of fire. Several environmental factors, both at local and landscape scales, can affect fire regimes in these ecosystems differently. Here, we evaluated the influence of local and landscape features on two parameters of the fire regime of a flammable protected area of the Brazilian savanna: The Chapada Diamantina National Park. We characterized both fire frequency and the time since the last fire, from 1990 to 2019 and measured five environmental predictors (tree canopy cover, altitude, water surface, predominant land use and distance to the nearest municipality). We used Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape (GAMLSS) to assess the influence of environmental predictors on the measured fire regime parameters. We found a large interannual variation in the total annual area burned in the studied period. In total, 68 % of the protected area (1030 km2) was burned at least once and 32 % (486 km2) was unaffected by fires during the study period. Predominant land use, distance to the nearest municipality, tree cover and the interaction between tree cover and altitude were negatively related to fire frequency, while the water surface and altitude positively influenced fire frequency in the park. Compared to older fires, recent fires occurred in landscapes at lower altitudes and with lower tree cover. Our results demonstrate that the fire frequency and time since the last fire were highly variable across the park, reflecting the strong influence of landscape heterogeneity on their parameters.

Geological and sociological factors influencing the construction and occupation of historic stone mining shelters, Bahia State, Brazil, 1844 – present

The geological and sociological factors that influenced the construction and habitation of the “toca” rockshelters built and occupied by diamond miners starting in 1844 are discussed. Extensive field excursions were made into the Chapada Diamantina Mountains, in what is now the Chapada Diamantina National Park, over a period of more than 40 years to document the archaeological vestiges of the diamond rush there. A total of 650 archaeological features were identified, geo-referenced, photo-documented, and classified; 286 of those features were “toca” rockshelters and 53 were stone houses. The local geology, water resources, regional climate, and human factors dictated the construction and occupation of those shelters, including the availability of appropriate overhanging rock ledges, the proximity of potable water, site humidity, and the proximity of diamond-bearing formations. The “toca” shelters themselves share a number of common features, including fire pits, a lack of windows, construction without the use of mortar, and the avoidance of East-facing sites.

Ex situ conservation of the endangered “sempre-viva” species Comanthera mucugensis

The “sempre-viva” species Comanthera mucugensis is endemic to the municipality of Mucugê, Bahia, Brazil, where it was widely exploited through extractivism to be commercialized as an ornamental, causing a drastic reduction of its population, so that it is now classified as endangered. Although its main area of occurrence is now protected for being within Chapada Diamantina National Park, the continued risks of inclement conditions and anthropic actions make it necessary to develop alternative methods for ex situ conservation of the species, such as in vitro conservation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test the effect of different concentrations of salts and sucrose on the in vitro conservation of Comanthera mucugensis. Two salts concentrations of the medium MS (½ and ¼) and two sucrose levels (7.5 and 15.0 g L-1) were tested, and the experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments. After 365 days, the survival, growth and regeneration of the conserved plants were analyzed, achieving up to 100% survival, reduced shoot growth and maintenance of regenerative capacity. Reduction of the concentration of salts and sucrose in the culture medium is indicated to conserve the plants in vitro for a period of one year.

Analysis of quantitative methods for geodiversity in Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil

The concept of geodiversity has been developed by geoscientists since 1990 in different lines of research such as territorial and patrimonial planning, tourism and the dissemination of knowledge. However, little progress has been made in mapping and quantifying geodiversity. Thus, there are still gaps about the functionality of these graphics products. In order to contribute to these discussions, the aim of this research was to evaluate geodiversity quantification models in Chapada Diamantina National Park and municipality of Morro do Chapéu. The methods Serrano and Ruiz - Flaño and Pereira et al. were chosen for comparison. After choosing the criteria to compare as the choice of variables pertaining to each method, data processing was performed in a geographic information system. Maps with geodiversity indexes and frequency charts were generated. Finally, these products were analyzed using statistical methods and evaluated in the field. In both proposals for quantifying geodiversity, methodological limitations were found, which interfere with the purpose for which the index was created.

Chemical constituents isolated from Clusia criuva subsp. Criuva and their chemophenetics significance

Clusia criuva belongs to the Clusiaceae family and it is endemic to the rupestrian fields in Chapada Diamantina National Park (Brazil). Phytochemical investigation of C. criuva trunks led to the isolation of five triterpenoids [winchic acid (1), betulinic acid (2), lupeol (3), friedelin (4), and friedelinol (5)], four steroids [lanosterol (6), stigmasterol (7), β-sitosterol (8), and sitostenone (9)], seven polyprenylated benzophenone derivatives [propolone A (10), propolone B (11), propolone C (12), propolone D (13), sampsonione B (14), hyperisampsin E (15), and hyperisampsin F (16)], four xanthones [neriifolone C (17), 6-deoxyisojacareubin (18), osajaxanthone F (19), and brasilixanthone B (20)], two biphenyls [aucuparina (21) and 2,2-dimethyl-5-hydroxy-7-phenylchromene (22)], and two tocotrienol derivatives [2Z- and 2E-δ-tocotrienoloic acids (23 and 24)]. Compounds 1, 11, 12, 15, and 16 were isolated for the first time in the Clusiaceae family, compounds 17, 19 and 21 were isolated for the first time in the genus Clusia, whereas 2–10, 13, 14, 18, 20, 22–24 were isolated for the first time in Clusia criuva. Compounds 1, 2, 11, 12, 13 and 15 showed potent in vitro cytotoxic activity against GL-15 glioblastoma-derived human cell line. Chemophenetics significance of these compounds is described herein.

Wild plants and the food-medicine continuum\u2014an ethnobotanical survey in Chapada Diamantina (Northeastern Brazil)

BackgroundEthnobotanical research has demonstrated that several wild food plants (WFP) are used for medicinal purposes. Therefore, in addition to constituting an important source of nutrients, WFP can be used to help treat and avoid health problems. This study sought to characterize the traditional use of plants considered simultaneously as food and medicine by local specialists in the community of Caeté-Açu, which borders Chapada Diamantina National Park (NE Brazil). We also sought to identify the variables that influence the species’ cultural importance.MethodsWe selected local specialists based on a snowball sample and used a free-listing technique to register the wild plants they knew that are both edible and medicinal. Then, we asked the specialists to rank each plant component cited according to the following attributes: (1) ease of acquisition, (2) taste, (3) smell, (4) nutritional value, and (5) medicinal value. We used multiple regression to determine the variables that influence the cultural salience.ResultsThe most culturally salient species was Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis. The main medicinal effects associated with this species were related to body strengthening, intestinal regulation, and stomach issues. The most salient used species were those that were easiest to acquire and had the highest perceived nutritional values.ConclusionIt is likely that the sociocultural backgrounds of the respondents (elders, former miners, or descendants of miners) and the historical importance of wild food plants to local diets increased the predictive power of the perceived nutritional importance and ease of acquisition of these plants.

Uncovering assets in Brazilian national parks

Protected areas (PAs) are the cornerstone of global conservation policy and have expanded dramatically over the last century. Though unequivocally beneficial for biodiversity, gazetting land for protecting nature can also be seen as an ‘opportunity cost’ that some politicians are unwilling to pay. One of the most effective strategies to increase the political resilience of PAs in the face of such threats is to demonstrate their broader value to society. This is one of the objectives of the recently proposed ‘PA asset framework’. The framework conceptualizes PAs as being composed of suites of biophysical, human, infrastructure, institutional and cultural assets that interact with individuals and institutions to generate different forms of tangible and intangible value. Here, we test the utility of the framework by conducting an asset-based analysis of Brazilian National Parks (NPs) at two different scales (NP system and NP unit). Assets were identified at the system level through a systematic review of 49 Management Plans (MPs) using a typology of PA asset classes as a tool for characterising the presence and state of assets in or associated with NPs. At the NP unit level, assets were identified through semi-structured interviews with local managers of the Chapada Diamantina National Park. Biophysical and infrastructure assets were the most represented asset classes at both scales. Our analysis successfully revealed: (i) which assets can be managed to generate wider forms of values at local scale (e.g. natural spectacles, iconic species, park volunteers) (ii) relational values between assets (e.g. trails and outdoor recreational features), and (iii) value generating practices (VGPs) to capture values from the interaction between different assets (i.e. restoration of degraded areas through voluntary programmes, etc.). We conclude by discussing how the PA asset framework can be operatively integrated into NP management to improve the future allocation of limited financial resources.

Diversity of Myrtaceae in and surroundings the Chapada Diamantina National Park, Brazil

Abstract We evaluated the diversity of Myrtaceae in Chapada Diamantina National Park (CDNP) and neighboring municipalities (NM), identifying the areas with the highest richness and those with the lowest sampling efforts, collecting specimens in situ, and analyzing herbarium collections. The geographic data and maps include collection efforts (CE), species richness (SR), and estimated richness (J1). Ninety-seven species and nine genera were recorded for NM, with 82 species and nine genera occurring in CDNP. The CE and SR were similar in NM and CDNP, and the quadrants with the highest values were in the municipalities of Lençóis and Palmeiras. The J1 was also similar in NM and CDNP. Fifteen species found in NM do not occur in CDNP, and some are considered endangered or are restricted to non-protected areas, especially caatinga areas. Some species showed distributions limited to only one or two vegetation types, although many areas have been only superficially surveyed. Endemic species are subject to anthropic pressure, and some are currently considered endangered or vulnerable. The expansion of the limits of the CDNP to encompass areas of caatinga vegetation will improve the conservation status of the family.

Cleistanthane diterpenoids from the resin of Vellozia pyrantha A.A.Conc and their chemotaxonomic significance

Vellozia pyrantha A.A.Conc. is endemic to the rupestrian fields in northern Chapada Diamantina National Park (Brazil). This species has the peculiar characteristic of only producing flowers after a massive fire event occurs in the surrounding areas. This is the first report on the assessment of the chemical composition of Vellozia pyrantha resin, where five cleistanthane diterpenoids (1–5) were identified. Their structures were proposed after careful analysis of 1H and 13C NMR, DEPT 135, HMBC, HMQC, and COSY spectra as well as comparison with the literature. Cleistanthane diterpenoids show great the potential to be used as chemosystematics biomarkers for the genus Vellozia and, therefore, their chemotaxonomic significance is discussed.

Characterization of severity in fires that occurred in 2015 at the Chapada Diamantina National Park

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A new species in Simulium (Trichodagmia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Chapada Diamantina region, Brazil: cryptic diversity revealed by morphological and molecular evidence

We describe new species of black fly that had previously been identified as S. scutistriatum Lutz due to morphological similarities at the pupal stage. The description of the new species, Simulium (Trichogamia) itajara n. sp., is based on molecular and morphological evidences. The known distribution of the new species is currently restricted to the Paraguaçu River hydrographic basin in Chapada Diamantina National Park and the surrounded area in Bahia state, Brazil. The distribution record for S. scutistriatum in the northeast region of Brazil needs to be removed, since the previous records were based on occurrence of S. itajara n. sp.

Assessment of Burned Forest Area Severity and Postfire Regrowth in Chapada Diamantina National Park (Bahia, Brazil) Using dNBR and RdNBR Spectral Indices

Fire scar detection through orbital data can be done using specific techniques, such as the use of spectral indices like the normalized burn ratio (NBR), which are designed to help identify burnt areas as they have typical spectral responses. This paper aims to characterize burn severity and regrowth in areas hit by three fires in the Chapada Diamantina National Park (Bahia, Brazil) and its surrounding area through the differenced normalized burn ratio (dNBR) and relative differenced normalized burn ratio (RdNBR) spectral indices. The data acquired were pretreated and prepared adequately to calculate the indices. We conclude that for the study area, considering the limitations of fieldwork, the multitemporal index dNBR and the relative index RdNBR are important tools for classifying burnt areas and can be used to assess the regrowth of vegetation.

Diamantina: An endemic new genus of Neotropical Atalophlebiinae (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) evidenced by morphological and molecular data

A new genus and species is described based on nymphs and adults collected exclusively at the Chapada Diamantina National Park, in Brazil. The generic category of this new taxon was tested by reanalyzing a morphological dataset used to access the phylogenetic relationships of species of Ulmeritus and Ulmeritoides and by the use of molecular analysis, using two different genes. Both analysis corroborated the new taxon belongs to a new genus and species, sister group of Ulmeritus-Ulmeritoides, herein described as Diamantina ulmeri gen et sp. nov. Among members of this complex, Diamantina gen nov. presents a unique apomorphy: absence of setae on lateral margins of abdominal segments. Diagnostic features include the anterior position of the proximal row of setae on dorsal surface of labrum, the U shaped emargination of labrum, eyes of male imago widely separated and shape of penis lobes.

Species Richness and Diversity in Bee Assemblages in a Fragment of Savanna (Cerrado) at Northeastern Brazil

The conservation of the fauna of bees inhabiting the Brazilian savanna is threatened due to changes in land use in the last decades. We investigated the composition, species richness and abundance of a bee assemblage in the vicinity of the Chapada Diamantina National Park. In addition, we compiled data on composition and diversity from another bee assemblage located in the same portion of the Cerrado, which was previously investigated by one of us almost 30 years ago, in order to produce a more complete panorama on beta diversity of bees in this region. We used a non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination analysis (NMDS) to compare composition of bee assemblages from diff erent types of open vegetation. We recorded 77 bee species (H’ = 2.95; J = 0.68), 42% of them were singletons. We collected slightly more than half of the species and 60% of the genera recorded in the bee assemblage studied three decades ago. H’ was signifi cantly lower in our area than in the previous study (t = 8.588, p <0.001), but equitability (J) was very similar. Several factors may contribute to these diff erences, including local diff erences in bee assemblage composition, diff erences in the probability of capturing the diff erent species (many rare species), factors affecting the sampling itself, and perhaps species loss over the three decades separating the two studies. The magnitude of species loss is difficult to assess because the two studies were not carried out exactly in the same area and there were differences in sampling time and sampling effort.

Old for people, new for science: a previously undescribed species of harvested Vellozia (Velloziaceae) endemic to the Chapada Diamantina National Park, Bahia (Brazil)

The overharvesting of a plant can disturb population dynamics, threatening the species (Ticktin 2004, Rolland et al. 2011). This is especially true for narrowly restricted ones (IUCN 2017), such as the ‘candombá’, endemic to the Chapada Diamantina National Park (CDNP), northeastern Brazil. The extent of occurrence of the candombá is less than 200 km2 (Conceição et al. 2017), and the plant has been traditionally used to ignite fires in wood stoves (Ministério do Meio Ambiente 2007, Oliveira et al. 2013, 2015), with this use continuing today.

QUANDO O PREDADOR SE TORNA PRESA: CONFLITO ENTRE FAZENDEIROS E A ONÇA-PARDA (Puma concolor, LINNAEUS, 1771) NO NORDESTE DO BRASIL

<p>A onça-parda, suçuarana ou puma (<em>Puma concolor</em>, Linnaeus, 1771) é o segundo maior felino das Américas. Historicamente, a predação de puma a espécies domésticas gera conflitos com fazendeiros e leva ao aumento do controle letal incluindo a caça ilegal deste felino por fazendeiros locais. O puma é considerado uma espécie de preocupação para conservação no Brasil. No entanto, pouco se sabe sobre o estado da sua conservação ou a magnitude de suas predações de rebanhos domésticos. Para abordar esta informação, avaliamos: 1) o impacto de caça a <em>P. concolor</em> em resposta tanto à predação de rebanhos domésticos quanto às variáveis como presença ou não de fragmento florestal preservado; 2) tamanho e manejo da criação, que estão associadas a tais eventos em propriedades da zona rural do município de Itaetê, Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brasil. Os dados foram obtidos mediante coleta de vestígios, como animais predados, pegadas e pele, como forma de auxiliar na comprovação da presença de <em>P. concolor </em>na região. Para avaliar a percepção dos fazendeiros e seu impacto na pecuária, conduzimos entrevistas semiestruturadas entre novembro de 2013 e junho de 2014 a 24 gerentes e/ou proprietários das fazendas. Consideramos cada propriedade como uma unidade de análise independente. Das 24 fazendas visitadas, houve eventos de predação em 13, com mais de um ataque de uma única vez. Todos os informantes relataram que as predações acometem apenas os caprinos, tendo como predador principal a <em>P. concolor</em>. Os Maiores números de animais predados ocorreram em fazendas onde o manejo era de confinamento noturno, contrariando a literatura. Por nossa área de estudo ter parte de seu território englobado pelo Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina, merece maior atenção. Para isso, torna-se necessária a implantação de medidas preventivas para minimizar os ataques e, assim, favorecer a conservação do felino na região.</p><p> </p>

Gestão ambiental de unidades de conservação: uma análise do parque municipal de Mucugê-Bahia

O processo de relação sociedade-natureza diante da racionalidade econômica ocidental materializa a degradação ambiental em diferentes escalas geográficas. As problemáticas evidenciadas expressam a necessidade de se debruçar cientificamente sobre as políticas voltadas à sustentabilidade. As unidades de conservação configuram-se como caminho para efetivar a sustentabilidade, ao possibilitar discussões em torno de ideais preservacionistas e conservacionistas. Com isso, buscou-se, nessa pesquisa, abordar sobre a função espacial das unidades de conservação e gestão ambiental, na perspectiva de dialogar com os ideais de sustentabilidade. O contexto espacial de aplicabilidade de conhecimento correspondeu ao Parque Municipal de Mucugê, situado no município de Mucugê-BA, nas imediações do Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina. Os resultados dos estudos foram obtidos a partir da revisão da literatura especializada sobre unidades de conservação e gestão ambiental, além da realização de atividades em campo, pela qual buscou-se entender os estados ambientais associados às políticas de implantação do parque municipal. Identificou-se que a fundação do Parque Municipal de Mucugê atendeu os trâmites legais de implantação das unidades de conservação e a gestão ambiental tem conduzido a configuração de políticas de sustentabilidade, denotadas nos prêmios nacionais obtidos e na recomposição de ambientes deteriorados pelas atividades garimpeiras e pela extração da Comanthera mucugensis.