Municipal Natural Park Research Articles

Water Quality and Vegetation Health in Urban Conservation Areas: A Case Study of Paragem Municipal Natural Park

The Paragem Municipal Natural Park (PMNP), an integral protection conservation unit, plays a crucial role in the conservation and recovery of ecosystems located in the city of Dourados/MS. Located in an urban area, it faces challenges related to human influence, which can affect its terrestrial and aquatic communities. This study aimed to analyze the vegetation index and diagnose the water quality of a tributary of the Paragem stream located within the PMNP. The research involved examining the Green Leaf Index, physical-chemical and microbiological parameters of the water, as well as ecotoxicological tests covering three trophic levels. In addition, the genotoxic effect of the water on a piscean model was investigated. The results revealed low vegetation cover and degradation of the park’s water quality, evidenced by microbial contamination, toxicity to primary producers, and genetic damage to fish. Therefore, these results indicate the need for monitoring and environmental education measures, ecological restoration, and water resource recovery and conservation management in the PMNP to favor the recovery and conservation of its environmental resources.

Babesia bigemina (smith and Kilbourne, 1893) detection in Amblyomma sculptum (Berlese, 1888) ticks in the Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil.

Ticks parasitize various hosts, including humans, and are known to transmit pathogens that can be harmful not only to animals but also to humans. To evaluate the possible presence of pathogens in ticks, we aimed to collect and identify tick fauna specimens in Lagoa Comprida Municipal Natural Park, an anthropogenic urban area located in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. A total of 1216 ticks, of which 51.2% were Amblyomma sculptum, 1.2% were Amblyomma dubitatum, and 41% were Amblyomma spp. were collected. These results show that the prevalence of A. sculptum is significantly higher than that of A. dubitatum across all four seasons. Molecular analyses revealed positive samples for the genus Babesia, including the confirmation of Babesia bigemina in an A. sculptum specimen, marking the first record of this relationship. This unexpected finding demands greater attention and deeper analysis in the context of the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases.

ANÁLISE NORMALIZADA DO ÍNDICE DE DIFERENÇA DE VEGETAÇÃO UTILIZANDO ÍNDICES DE NDVI E SAVI NA UNIDADE DE CONSERVAÇÃO SERRA DA BORBOREMA PARQUE NATURAL MUNICIPAL, CAMPINA GRANDE, PARAÍBA, BRASIL

The nature conservation units (UC) are specially protected territorial spaces (ETEP), with creation, implementation and management provided for by Law 9985/2000, which established the National System of Conservation Units (SNUC). Over 28% of the Brazilian territory is set aside for nature conservation, in a universe of over 2,300 established Units. Paraiba, Northeast region, has 15 (fifteen) Protected Units, representing less than 1% of its territory, and the Municipal Natural Park of Serra da Borborema, classified as Full Protection UC, located in the eastern part of the city of Campina Grande, at coordinates Lat. (S) 07º23'250" and Log. (W) 35º84'331", is the only local UC. Objective: to analyze the vegetation cover of the Park through the: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), in the period from June to September 2020. Theoretical Frame: It was used citations and authors, respecting the quadrennium 2019 and 2022, being the main ones listed here: Ministry of Environment, WWF, IUCN, IBAMA and, Felix-Trigueiro & Fontgalland, favoring the understanding of concepts related to the protected area and the environmental conservation in the Poeta's Park in Campina Grande -Brazil, and the studies of Ponzoni et al. for the weighting of the derivations of sensorial studies of vegetation. Method: two forms of index analysis were proposed: data and geoprocessed images from LandSat8 satellite, provided by the US Geological Survey - USGS, using Qgis 3.10 software. Results and Conclusions: despite the difference in the representation of minimum and maximum values between the indices evaluated in the thematic maps, as a result, the NDVI and SAVI vegetation indices were close to 1, so that it can be inferred that from the analysis of the biophysical resource "vegetation cover" of the locality, it can allow the conservation of the area for the maintenance of its ecosystem services available to the region, despite the anthropic pressure suffered at the site. Implications of the research: The research is classified as extremely appropriate to the interests of the Post-graduate Program of the Federal University of Campina Grande and also corroborates as literature for other research groups in the Northeast that are involved with protected areas and analysis of vegetation index. Originality and value: The work is pointed out as essential because its differential are the analyses through NDVI and SAVI indexes adapted to the complex of the poet's park in Campina Grande-Brazil.

Mamíferos de médio a grande porte de uma Unidade de Conservação urbana e seu corredor ecológico na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract Protected areas play a fundamental role in the preservation of species, environmental education, and ecosystem services maintenance. Most of the world population live in urban areas, which highlight the importance of preserved areas in urban centers. However, many urban protected areas in Brazil lack species surveys, which limits biodiversity conservation and implementation of management plans. In this study, we surveyed the species of medium and large mammals of Chico Mendes Municipal Natural Park (MNP) and Canal das Taxas corridor through camera traps, thus providing the first comprehensive in situ survey of terrestrial mammals for the area. We also verified whether there was mammalian fauna exchange between the Chico Mendes and Marapendi MNPs through the vegetation corridor formed by the Canal das Taxas. Between November 2020 and July 2021, with a sampling effort of 1,334 trap-days, we recorded five native and five exotic species in the studied areas, including one Vulnerable species in the Municipality and State of Rio de Janeiro (Cuniculus paca). We also confirmed that Canal das Taxas works as a wildlife corridor for native species. Finally, we highlight that species checklists based on secondary information for the region are of limited usefulness and recommend in situ surveys even in small, urban protected areas of Rio de Janeiro city.

Bee Diversity in an Peri-Urban Patch of “Restinga”

Bees gather food resources from angiosperm flowers, promoting pollination, cross-breeding, and increasing the genetic variability of many plant species. However, all over the world there has been a great decline in bee populations, with the most accepted hypotheses being the loss of habitat caused by urbanization, fungal contamination and pesticide residues. The collapse of bee colonies can unbalance ecosystems causing a reduction in plant abundance and directly impacting the agricultural economy. Peri-urban paths are considered refuges capable of sheltering part of the biodiversity, including communities of pollinators such as bees. On the Brazilian Atlantic coast, restinga ecosystems are fragmented and their remnants are threatened by anthropic actions and real estate speculation. In this work, the bee fauna was inventoried in a peri-urban patch of “restinga” in the Municipal Natural Park of Barreto’s Restinga in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with the objective of understanding the structure of the bee community and its relationship with the availability of floral resources and seasonality. Collections were carried out monthly between February 2019 and February 2020. The methods included active collections with entomological nets between 08:00 and 17:00 hours. 363 individuals belonging to 31 bee species were sampled. The most abundant genera were Xylocopa, Eulaema and Eufriesia, with the highest richness and abundance during the summer. There was a significant relationship between the availability of floral resources and the richness and abundance of bees. There was also a positive relationship between bee richness and rainfall. The data generated may contribute to support public policies that ensure the maintenance and expansion of “restinga” areas in urban environments, contributing to the conservation of bee species in the Atlantic Forest.

Photovoltaic Energy Systems Implemented in Public Buildings Located in the City of São Paulo

With the increase of energy consumption and the environmental changes caused by energy generation, it is essential that different sectors of society seek alternative, sustainable and efficient ways to develop their activities. In this context, renewable energies generate less environmental pollution when compared to fossil sources. Among the renewable energy alternatives, solar energy has grown all over the world, thanks to new technologies, easy installation and energy collection, since it is powered by an abundant source with an inexhaustible impact on the earth's surface. Large buildings are considered potential polluters, as they can cause damage to the environment due to the amount of energy they use. The present study aims to analyze the photovoltaic solar system installed in a public building located in the city of São Paulo, specifically the project implemented in the Fazenda do Carmo Municipal Natural Park (PNMFC). A qualitative, single-case study, was the adopted methodology. Data collection was via the analysis of documents and semi-structured interviews with managers and those responsible for the PNMFC projects. The results showed that the generation of energy close to the place of consumption (distributed generation) is a determining factor for energy savings and minimization of environmental impacts. We conclude that public policies of fiscal and regulatory incentives are fundamental for the growth of the use of photovoltaic energy in urban centers

Genetic Diversity in Successive Age Cohorts of Ilex paraguariensis in Southern Brazil

Abstract Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil. (yerba mate) is a native species widely consumed in southern Brazil, a region that presents a current scenario of forest fragmentation. The objective was to evaluate the genetic diversity, genetic structure, and gene flow among cohorts of I. paraguariensis in two forest remnants. Genetic analyses were conducted using microsatellite markers from leaves from adult (Ad), regenerating (Reg), and seed-derived (Se) populations in Santa Catarina (SC) (Chapecó’s National Forest [CCO]) and Rio Grande do Sul (RS) (Teixeira Soares’ Municipal Natural Park [PTS]). We found unique alleles in both populations, eleven in the CCO and eight in the PTS. There was no significant difference in genetic diversity indexes, whereas high and significant fixation indexes were observed (FCCO = 0.394; FPTS = 0.319). The proportion of genetic variation obtained between populations was lower (8%) than the proportion within populations (92%). The presence of significant genetic structure was verified in the cohorts of I. paraguariensis for two study areas. Moreover, all pairwise genetic divergence between Ad and Reg, and Ad and Se cohorts was significant, except for Ad versus Reg in PTS. Aiming to maintain diversity over generations, we recommend the conservation of remnants and expansion of connectivity between fragments.

Discovery of Mourecotelles (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Colletinae) in Brazil: nesting biology and pollen preferences of a remarkable new species of the genus

Mourecotelles Toro & Cabezas (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Colletinae) currently includes only nine valid species of cellophane bees found mostly in relatively-dry regions of western South America (Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, and Ecuador). In this paper, we describe and illustrate a new species of the genus – M. braziliensis Ferrari & Melo, sp. nov. – based on individuals of both sexes captured through trap-nesting in an environmental protection area (Araucárias Municipal Natural Park) and in flowers in different localities in southern Brazil. In total, we obtained 16 nests of M. braziliensis, each consisting of two to eleven brood cells arranged horizontally and lined with a cellophane-like substance. Of the 57 adult bees that emerged, 41 were male (mean weight 46.5 mg) and 16 were female (mean weight 58.9 mg), resulting in biased sex and investment ratios of 2.56:1 and 2.02:1, respectively. Both the numbers of provisioned cells and mortality rate were higher for trap nests with the narrowest bore diameter, although the differences in relation to other trap nests were not statistically significant. Pollen of nine different plant families were found in brood cells of M. braziliensis, but the species showed a clear preference for Fabaceae and Polygalaceae. Indeed, some of the specimens were collected while foraging in flowers of an unidentified species of Monnina Ruiz & Pav. (Polygalaceae) growing in swampy areas. The evolutionary and biogeographical implications of our discovery are briefly discussed.

Diversity and Composition of a Seed Bank in the Subtropical Atlantic Forest, Southern Brazil

The current study aimed to evaluate the seed bank diversity and composition found in the Municipal Natural Park São Francisco de Assis (PSFA), Santa Catarina, Brazil, located within the subtropical Atlantic Forest. Samplings were carried out within four different locations (n = 20 sample plots per location). All samples were kept in suspended beds for germination, growth, and subsequent species identification. We were able to identify 85 morphospecies (1,016 individuals). Most of them were categorized as pioneers. Pioneers were also the ecological category that had more individuals (73.12%). The predominant dispersion syndrome was zoochoric, with 58 taxa included. Our results indicate that the seeds are being provided by species that occur around the park, in some cases favored by recent landslides in the area.

Melastomataceae of the Parque Natural Municipal de São Lourenço, Espírito Santo, Brazil

Abstract The Atlantic Forest is one of the diversity centers of Melastomataceae in the world, and studies have been showing the great richness of its species in Espírito Santo, a state that once was entirely covered by this phytogeographic domain. We present here a floristic survey of the species of Melastomataceae in a protected area in this state, the Municipal Natural Park of São Lourenço, located at the municipality of Santa Teresa. We also present an identification key for the species, detailed descriptions, comments on distribution, habitat and phenology, photographs and illustrations. A thorough sampling was based on several expeditions during 2019 and 2020; in addition, we analyzed all specimens collected in the area and deposited in the herbaria FLOR, HUEFS, MBM, MBML, NY, RB, UPCB, US and VIES. The family has 10 genera and 56 species in the area, with Miconia having 42 species, Pleroma six and the genera Aciotis, Acisanthera, Bertolonia, Chaetogastra, Henriettea, Meriania, Microlicia and Mouriri represented by only one species each.

Bee Diversity Associated with Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC. (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae) in an Peri-Urban Patch of “Restinga”

The Restinga is one of the physiognomies of the Atlantic Forest biome with the highest degree of anthropic impact, mainly due to disordered urbanization. The impacts generate habitat loss and threaten the animals and plants that inhabit this ecosystem. In the Restinga, the psammophilous vegetation have an important role in stabilizing the sandy substrate and maintaining the pollinator community. In this study, we analyzed the floral resources offered by Canavalia rosea to floral visitors between October 2019 and September 2020, in the Municipal Natural Park of Barreto’s Restinga, in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sampling was carried out from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, covering a 250-meter transect in the sandy cord, counting the total number of open flowers and collecting visiting bees. The morphology of C. rosea flowers was described to relate to the functional traits of visitors, related to pollen and nectar collection. The pollen load of visitors was analyzed to estimate the degree of specialization in relation to C. rosea. A total of 192 individuals of 14 bee species were captured. There was a significant relationship between the availability of floral resources, measured by the number of open flowers and the richness and abundance of bees. The greatest richness of bees was observed between January and March and the greatest abundance in January. The most frequent visiting genera in C. rosea were Eufriesea, Centris and Xylocopa. The greatest richness of pollen types was observed in Eufriesea species. Most Xylocopa individuals showed C. rosea pollen. In this study, the importance of C. rosea as a source of floral resources for fourteen species of solitary bees was demonstrated. The data generated increases the knowledge about the ecological patterns of C. rosea and its floral visitors and may contribute to the maintenance and expansion of Restinga areas in urban environments.

Bats from the Pedra Branca Forest, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Pedra Branca Forest is located in a highly-urbanised region of the central portion of Rio de Janeiro City, comprises the largest urban forest on the continent and is isolated from other Atlantic Forest remnants. The local flora and fauna are protected by three conservation units (Pedra Branca State Park, Prainha Municipal Natural Park and Guaratiba State Biological Reserve) and one biological station (Fiocruz Atlantic Forest Biological Station—EFMA). Here, we provide an updated list of the bat fauna for the remnant. The results are based on samplings at EFMA and literature data from Pedra Branca State Park and Prainha Natural Park. The three sampling sites combined resulted in 31 species, 23 genera and four families. Phyllostomidae was the richest family with 24 species, followed by Vespertilionidae with five species (3%) and Molossidae and Noctilionidae with one species. The local bat fauna was predominantly composed of species with a broad geographic distribution.

Application of site-level assessment of governance and equity (SAGE) methodology to a candidate OECM: Andakí Municipal Natural Park, Caquetá, Colombia

Application of site-level assessment of governance and equity (SAGE) methodology to a candidate OECM: Andakí Municipal Natural Park, Caquetá, Colombia

New records of buffy-tufted-ear marmoset Callithrix aurita (É. Geoffroy, 1812), in a protected area of Teresópolis, Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Callithrix aurita, an Atlantic Forest endemic primate, is a threatened species due to habitat loss, deforestation, interspecific competition and hybridization. In 2018, it entered the list of the world's 25-most threatened primate species, therefore, new occurrence sites must help in its conservation. Transects in the Montanhas de Teresópolis Municipal Natural Park and occasional sampling on the surrounding roads, using playback, have been carried out between March 2020 and January 2021. Eleven new records were made of the occurrence of the species in and around the PNMMT, in secondary forest sites with altitudes between 711 and 1000m. These records reinforce the importance of the Park for the conservation of this primate. The presence of this species can help the planning and management of this protected area, indicating areas for preservation.

Avaliação das concentrações de nutrientes e sólidos na bacia hidrográfica do Igarapé Belmont, Porto Velho/RO

Human activities alter the natural processes of water resources, generating changes in the quantity and quality of water, mainly in urban watersheds. In this context, the objective of this work was to assess water quality in an anthropized area and in an urban forest, by analyzing physical-chemical parameters in the Igarapé Belmont basin, located in the municipality of Porto Velho (RO), a tributary of the Madeira River. Monitoring was carried out at six points, one upstream, one downstream and none inside the conservation unit, Porto Velho Municipal Natural Park, with quarterly frequency, in the rainy and dry seasons, between March and December / 2019. The parameters analyzed were nitrogen (nitrite, nitrate and ammoniacal nitrogen), total phosphorus and total solid. Statistical data treatment was performed, descriptively and with the application of Pearson's correlation. There was a strong temporal and spatial influence on water quality, with higher concentrations in the drought period (ammoniacal nitrogen and total phosphorus), at the collection point inserted in anthropized area, were above what was established by CONAMA resolution 357/2005. It is also possible to determine, according to Pearson's coefficient, that there is a strong correlation between the total solid and the other parameters analyzed. Based on the analysis of the data presented in this research, some nutrients increased the concentration due to the area of urban influence contained in the hydrographic basin and due to the seasonal period.

Diagnóstico da Fragilidade Física de Parque Natural Utilizando Ferramentas de Geoprocessamento

Este estudo tem como objetivo realizar a análise da fragilidade física do Parque Natural Municipal Luís Roberto Correia Sampaio, correlacionando os diferentes fatores físicos do meio, realizando assim uma pequena análise da fragilidade do ambiente dando suporte ao planejamento ambiental desta unidade de conservação. Verificando, através desta correlação as consequências para o meio ambiente, determinando a fragilidade potencial e a fragilidade emergente do Parque Natural Municipal Luis Roberto Correia Sampaio, Unidade de Conservação Municipal de Proteção Integral, localizada dentro do município de Barbalha - CE. A escolha desta Unidade de Conservação deu-se pela sua importância ambiental, que por suas características naturais torna-o singular. Para tanto, para realização deste trabalho, adotou-se uma metodologia, que se baseia no cruzamento de mapas temáticos de solo, declividade e cobertura vegetal, utilizando ferramentas de geoprocessamento. As ferramentas utilizadas permitiram o cruzamento das bases cartográficas para fazer a classificação da área por níveis de fragilidade ambiental, segregando a área em cinco níveis de fragilidade, variando-as de muito fraca a muito forte. Este tipo de estudo tem aplicação prática, visto que, possibilita uma visão ampla da área de estudo e serve de ferramenta para um planejamento voltado ao desenvolvimento sustentável, como também na aplicação de práticas conservacionistas. Diagnosis of Natural Park Physical Fragility Using Geoprocessing Tools A B S T R A C TThis study aims to conduct the analysis of the physical fragility of the Municipal Natural Park Luis Roberto Correia Sampaio, correlating the different physical factors of the environment, analysing of the physical fragility of the environment supporting the environmental planning of this Conservation Unit. Checking through this correlation the consequences for the environment, determining the potential and emerging fragility of Park Municipal Natural Luis Roberto Correia Sampaio, Municipal Conservation Unit of Integral Protection, located in the municipality of Barbalha, CE. The choice of this Conservation Unit gave for its environmental importance, which in its natural features makes it unique. Therefore we adopted a methodology, which is based on cross-thematic maps of soil, slope and vegetation cover using geoprocessing tools. The tools used allowed the crossing of cartographic bases to the area classification by environmental fragility levels segregating the area in five levels of fragility, ranging from very weak to very strong. This type of study has practical application, since it provides a broad overview of the study area and serves as a tool for planning geared to sustainable development, and application of conservation practices.Keywords: geoprocessing, conservation unit, environmental planning.

Desafios no âmbito do planejamento e da difusão de iniciativas de turismo sustentável em uma Unidade de Conservação brasileira

O presente artigo tem como propósito analisar os desafios do planejamento e implantação de iniciativas de turismo sustentável em uma Unidade de Conservação (UC) brasileira: o Parque Natural Municipal do Açude da Concórdia (PaNaMAC). Foram conduzidas quatro entrevistas com atores institucionais da UC, ao passo que também se realizou a coleta de comentários publicados na página do TripAdvisor, na internet, por visitantes que estiveram no PaNaMAC. Os dados foram sistematizados com o uso do software Iramuteq e submetidos à análise de conteúdo. Percebeu-se que o PaNaMAC tem potencial para iniciativas de turismo sustentável, principalmente em função de seus ativos ambientais. Os turistas percebem o local como um atrativo em que é possível a prática de atividades conectadas com a perspectiva do turismo sustentável. Porém constatou-se que o poder público é um dos principais causadores dos empecilhos para a difusão do turismo sustentável no parque.

Three new Luticola species from the Andean-Amazonian transition in Colombia: taxonomy, morphology and preliminary considerations of the biogeography of the genus

ABSTRACT Three new species of Luticola are described from lotic ecosystems in Andakí Municipal Natural Park, located in the Andean-Amazon region on the eastern flank of the eastern Andes mountain range in Colombia. Size and morphological features of the three new species, L. caquetensis Kociolek, Simonato & Núñez-Avellaneda sp. nov., L. andakiesiorum Simonato, Kociolek & Plata Díaz sp. nov., and L. sinchii Sala, Kociolek & Simonato sp. nov. are provided, based on light and scanning electron microscopical observations, and compared with similar congeners. Species of the genus are organized into groups depending upon whether they possess or lack marginal channels and/or pseudosepta. All the new species possess pseudosepta and L. caquetensis and L. andakiesiorum lack marginal channels. The two latter species share this combination of features with Luticola affinis Levkov et al., a species described from Brazil. These species thus form a unique group within the genus, offering additional evidence for the unique biodiversity found in this region.

Environmental Compensation Used as a Legal Mechanism for the Recovery of an Urban Forest in the State of Rio de Janeiro

The state of Rio de Janeiro has been degraded mainly in lowlands, where protected areas harboring most remaining forests are located. The present study aimed to assess the application of compensatory measures (CM) to restore the vegetation of the Bosque da Barra Municipal Natural Park. We analyzed the survival of planted specimens by dividing the area into six quadrants with approximately nove hectares each. For the analysis, we used a frequency class method and assessed the success rate per quadrant, where 2,125 seedlings of 73 native restinga species were planted. We found 1,245 seedlings, which corresponded to 59% of the planting. Among those seedlings, 885 were alive, which represented a survival rate of 42%. The average survival per species was 26%. Forty-seven species survived out of 73 planted species. All in all, environmental compensation is an important public policy tool, and this legal device should be used to ensure the restoration of environmental damages, aiming to maintain what establishes the 225th article of the Federal Constitution for present and future generations.

Bryophyte flora of two Natural Parks in Amapá: richness, composition and new records.

The aim of this study is to investigate the richness and composition of the bryophytes of two Municipal Natural Parks in Amapá, eastern Amazon. Bryophytes were collected in the Arivaldo Gomes Barreto Municipal Natural Park (AGBMNP), Macapá municipality, and Cancão Municipal Natural Park (CMNP), Serra do Navio municipality, in October 2010 and October 2012, respectively. Ten plots of 10 x 10 m were established in each park for sampling, and, in addition, random collections were made, in order to maximize the knowledge on the local bryophyte flora. In total, 53 species were identified in AGBMNP, and 110 species in CMNP. The results shown a lower richness in AGBMNP than in CMNP, which may be related to the own size of each park, the level of conservation, and its localization. In terms of abundance, the neotropical pattern and the species locally rare were most representative in both parks, however, the floristic composition diverged. The AGBMNP is composed mostly by generalist species, while the CMNP by both generalists and shade specialists. The present study recorded 54% of the known bryophyte flora of Amapá, 63 new records for the state and, in addition, three new records for the North region of Brazil.