Native Arboreal Species Research Articles

Phytosociology of Native Species in the Understory of a Corymbia citriodora Stand in Espírito Santo State, Brazil

ABSTRACT This study is based on the hypothesis that unmanaged plantations of commercial species do not prevent understory colonization by native species. The research aimed to describe the floristic composition and structure of native arboreal species in the understory of a Corymbia citriodora stand. To this end, 112 plots (10 × 10 m; 1.12 ha) were installed. Six hundred native tree individuals distributed in 54 species, 44 genera, and 20 families were recorded. The regeneration diversity and evenness indices were 3.23 and 0.81, respectively. Native regeneration of C. citriodora understory shows features typical of semideciduous seasonal forests and seems to be at the early stage of regeneration. Results suggest that C. citriodora stands do not prevent understory colonization by native species.

YERBA MATE LANDSCAPES: FOREST USE AND SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION*

Abstract The Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) is a native arboreal species of forest formations that include the Araucaria Forest and is of considerable socio-economic importance in much of Brazil’s southern region. This paper aims to study the different landscapes of the native Yerba Mate systems (NYMS) in the main producing region of native Yerba Mate in the northern plateau region of the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil (Planalto Norte Catarinense - PNC) and their relationship to socio-environmental conservation in the context of family farming. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with family farmers and NYMS were evaluated following a specific route. Thirteen types of NYMS Landscape Units were identified as a diagnostic basis for the sustainable management of NYMS and forests. It proved possible to conclude that the Yerba Mate extraction activity is of great importance to socio-environmental conservation in the PNC.

Fruits of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: allying biodiversity conservation and food security

Supplying food to growing human populations without depleting natural resources is a challenge for modern human societies. Considering this, the present study has addressed the use of native arboreal species as sources of food for rural populations in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The aim was to reveal species composition of edible plants, as well as to evaluate the practices used to manage and conserve them. Ethnobotanical indices show the importance of many native trees as local sources of fruits while highlighting the preponderance of the Myrtaceae family. Conservation analysis allowed to identify Campomanesia hirsuta Gardner and Plinia edulis (Vell.) Sobral as being of high Biological Value and Conservation Priority. In spite of that, the local management practices of native fruits appear to be sustainable and contribute to the maintenance and dissemination of valuable species. These results suggest a number of recommended future conservation actions and show the potential of Myrtaceae species for future agronomical development in Neotropical regions.

Morphometric Characterization and Seed Dormancy Overcoming of Sapindus saponaria L.

S. saponaria L. is a Brazilian native arboreal species, with relevant ecological importance in the recovery of degraded and marginal areas. The objectives of the present study were to characterize morphometrically Sapindus saponaria L. seeds, to extract and to quantify oil content, establish the percent composition of fatty acids; to describe their different post-seminal stages; to describe the different post-seminal stages, as well as to evaluate the germinative performance of the seeds as a function of different treatments to overcome dormancy. Seeds were evaluated as to water content and biometric length and width. The extraction and quantification of the seed oil was obtained by the solvent extraction method using the Soxhlet extractor system. Regarding the post-seminal development, some processes triggered during growth and development of the seedlings were evaluated. The treatments for dormancy overcoming were: mechanical scarification, chemical scarification with sulfuric acid for 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 minutes, immersion in hot water (80 ºC) until reaching room temperature, immersion in distilled water at room temperature for 24 hours and intact seeds (control). The seeds were evaluated for germination, velocity, medium time, synchrony and germination uncertainty. The design was a completely randomized design with four replicates of 25 seeds per treatment. The seeds present on average 10.3 mm in length and 10.2 mm in width with hygene-cryptocoledonar germination. The oil content found in the seeds was 7.25%, most of which was composed of unsaturated fatty acids (78.9%). The highest values of germination occur when the seeds are immersed in sulfuric acid for 30 minutes.

Substrate and irrigation scheme on the growth of Parapiptadenia rigida (angico-vermelho) seedlings

ABSTRACT: Parapiptadenia rigida (angico-vermelho) is a native arboreal species widely found in central and southern Brazil and is indicated for restoration of degraded areas due to its high plasticity to light gradients and ease adaptation to degraded environments. However, there is still a lack of information on this species regarding the production of quality seedlings, as well as the rational use of the resources involved. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different substrates and irrigation schemes in the development of P. rigida seedlings. The experimental design used was randomized blocks, in a factorial scheme with split plots, with four substrate formulations (100% peat; 80% peat + 20% carbonized rice husk (CRH); 60% peat + 40% CRH; 40% peat + 60% CRH) and six irrigation schemes (4; 8; 12; 16; 20 and 24mm.day-1). At 180 days after emergence, the following parameters were evaluated: height, stem diameter, height and stem diameter ratio, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, total dry weight and Dickson Quality Index. Use of substrate composed of 80% peat + 20% carbonized rice husk and/or 100% peat, combined with irrigation scheme of 4mm day-1, resulted in the best growth of P. rigida seedlings.

Distribuição espacial em pequena escala de um anfípode exótico em fragmento florestal e plantio de espécies nativas

Anthropogenic interferences in natural environments cause the breakage of spatial and competitive barriers, which may influence the spatial distribution of species. In this study, we describe the spatial distribution of an exotic amphipod, Talitroides topitotum, in two distinct sites, a forest fragment and a plantation of native arboreal species. We analyzed possible variations in this spatial distribution in different periods of the year and verified whether the vegetation cover and the litter 36 layer depth may explain the distribution pattern of this species. We performed analyses of frequency distribution to determine the pattern of this species spatial distribution, as well as correlation tests to determine the effect of these two variables of habitat structure. The spatial distribution analysis revealed that T. topitotum presents aggregated distribution in both areas, indicating that this species has low environmental demands or that both areas are below a minimum environmental quality threshold. However, even with this similarity, the population in the fragmented site presented a higher index of aggregation when compared with the population of the plantation site. Corroborating previous studies, there was a negative correlation between abundance of T. topitotum and litter layer depth in the plantation site. Studies on invaded habitats can help understand how invasive species occupy new environments and the factors that can influence their spatial distribution.

Caracterização citogenética em Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan (Mimosoideae) e Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. (Sterculiaceae)

Análises cariotípicas são importantes ferramentas de auxílio aos estudos de relações taxonômicas dentro dos grupos vegetais. Espécies arbóreas nativas encontradas no cerrado brasileiro têm sido pouco analisadas do ponto de vista citogenético e citotaxonômico. Com o objetivo de determinar o número cromossômico diplóide, a biometria e a morfologia cromossômica de Anadenanthera colubrina (angico-branco) e Guazuma ulmifolia (mutambo), sementes dessas espécies foram coletadas no município de Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. A utilização de 8-hidroxiquinoleína 0,003M a 36ºC, durante três horas possibilitou a separação cromossômica. Coloração Giemsa 2% por três minutos permitiu o estudo cariológico. A classificação cromossômica foi baseada no índice centromérico. Anadenanthera colubrina possui 2n = 26 cromossomos com comprimento cromossômico médio de 1,349 µm ± 0,017 e formulação cariotípica 8SM + 14M + 2T + 2AC. Guazuma ulmifolia apresenta 2n = 16 cromossomos com comprimento médio de 1,225 µm ± 0,023 e formulação cariotípica 4SM + 10M + 2T. Esses resultados podem subsidiar estudos de taxonomia, de manipulação cromossômica, bem como auxiliar na produção de progênies híbridas em programas de melhoramento.

Banco de sementes de remanescentes naturais e de áreas reflorestadas em uma várzea do Rio Mogi-Guaçu - SP

Este estudo avaliou qualitativa e quantitativamente o banco de sementes de dois remanescentes florestais, de um povoamento de Eucalyptus robusta e de três áreas de reflorestamento com espécies nativas, localizados em uma várzea do rio Mogi-Guaçu, Luiz Antônio (21°31´S e 47°55´W), Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Foram usadas 12 parcelas de 10 x 10 m distribuídas sistematicamente em cada área de estudo. Em cada parcela foram distribuídas aleatoriamente quatro subparcelas de 0,5 m x 0,5 m. Duas subparcelas foram usadas para coletar a serapilheira e duas para coletar o solo a 0-5 cm de profundidade. A amostragem foi realizada em setembro de 2001, nos remanescentes naturais e no povoamento de eucalipto e, em setembro de 2002, nas áreas reflorestadas. As amostras foram acondicionadas em vasos de plástico e incubadas com irrigações periódicas para a germinação das sementes por um período de sete meses, em dois ambientes de casa de vegetação: um a 100% de luz solar e outro sob tela com 70% de redução de luz solar. Na composição do banco de sementes de todas as áreas amostradas, houve predominância de espécies pioneiras dos primeiros estádios de sucessão. As espécies arbóreas mais importantes foram Aloysia virgata e Cecropia hololeuca. Os reflorestamentos com espécies nativas proporcionaram um banco de sementes com maior diversidade de espécies arbóreas nativas do que o povoamento de eucalipto. Este estudo indicou que a similaridade entre as florestas plantadas e as nativas deverá aumentar ao longo do tempo.

Restauração de matas ciliares do rio Mearim no município de Barra do Corda-MA: seleção de espécies e comparação de metodologias de reflorestamento

A Importância das matas ciliares na manutenção dos recursos bióticos e abióticos e o estado avançado de degradação destes ecossistemas ripários justificam o desenvolvimento de técnicas de reflorestamento em larga escala. Neste trabalho foram selecionadas seis espécies arbóreas nativas e comparada a sobrevivência em função da distância do leito do rio utilizando-se duas metodologias de reflorestamento: plantio de mudas e semeadura direta a lanço. Estimativas das taxas de germinação potencial, germinação no campo, e as taxas de crescimento relativo das plântulas (TCR), em viveiro, foram utilizadas como critério eletivo e correlacionadas com os dados de sobrevivência no campo. A sobrevivência foi estimada após seis meses do plantio de 108 mudas por espécies e após semeadura de 10800 sementes/espécie numa área desmatada de 5400 m² da mata ciliar às margem do rio Mearim. No método do plantio de mudas, destacam-se, Triplaris surinamensis Cham., Anadenanthera Macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenam. e Tabebuia sp., a primeira com altas taxas de germinação potencial, de crescimento em viveiro e sobrevivência no campo e as demais satisfazendo um ou outro destes critérios. Neste método, sobrevivência não se correlaciona com TCR e não é afetada pela distância do leito do rio. No método de semeadura direta, destacam-se T. surinamensis, e Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong com maior sobrevivência a qual é maior em áreas mais distantes do rio e se correlaciona positivamente com a germinação no campo e com a TCR. Comparativamente, T. surinamensis e E. contortisiliquum são mais indicadas para reflorestamento a partir de semeadura direta enquanto A. macrocarpam, Tabebuia sp. e Senna spectabilis (DC.) Irwin et Barn para reflorestamento a partir do plantio de mudas.

Germinação de sementes e crescimento inicial de plântulas de <i>Tabebuia aurea </i>(Silva Manso) Benth. & Hook f. ex S. Moore.

A Tabebuia aurea (craibeira) é uma espécie arbórea nativa que pode ser utilizada na recomposição de áreas degradadas, como planta ornamental e fornecedora de madeira de boa qualidade. O presente trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar o efeito de diferentes temperaturas e substratos sobre a germinação das sementes e o crescimento inicial de plântulas de Tabebuia aurea. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 5 x 5 (cinco substratos: papel toalha, areia, vermiculita, pó de coco e Tropstrato®; cinco temperaturas: 25, 30, 35, 20-30 e 20-35ºC), com quatro repetições de 25 sementes cada. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: germinação, primeira contagem da germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, tempo médio de germinação, comprimento e massa seca da parte aérea e do sistema radicial. As temperaturas e substratos influenciaram as características avaliadas, exceto a avaliação final da germinação, a qual variou entre 84 e 94%. As temperaturas ótimas de germinação foram 30 e 35ºC. Os substratos papel toalha e entre areia foram mais adequados para avaliação segura da qualidade fisiológica de sementes de Tabebuia aurea.

Aeropalynology of Australian native arboreal species in Brisbane, Australia

The influence of meteorological parameters on airborne pollen of Australian native arboreal species was investigated in the sub-tropical city of Brisbane, Australia over the five-year period, June 1994–May 1999. Australian native arboreal pollen (ANAP), shed by taxa belonging to the families Cupressaceae, Casuarinaceae and Myrtaceae accounts for 18.4% of the total annual pollen count and is distributed in the atmosphere during the entire year with maximum loads restricted to the months May through November. Daily counts within the range 11–100 grains m–3 occurred over short intervals each year and were recorded on 100 days during the five-year sampling period. Total seasonal ANAP concentrations varied each year, with highest annual values measured for the family Cupressaceae, for which greater seasonal frequencies were shown to be related to pre-seasonal precipitation (r 2 = 0.76, p = 0.05). Seasonal start dates were near consistent for the Cupressaceae and Casuarinaceae. Myrtaceae start dates were variable and established to be directly related to lower average pre-seasonal maximum temperature (r 2 = 0.78, p = 0.04). Associations between daily ANAP loads and weather parameters showed that densities of airborne Cupressaceae and Casuarinaceae pollen were negatively correlated with maximum temperature (p < 0.0001), minimum temperature (p < 0.0001) and precipitation (p < 0.05), whereas associations with daily Myrtaceae pollen counts were not statistically significant. This is the first study to be conducted in Australia that has assessed the relationships between weather parameters and the airborne distribution of pollen emitted by Australian native arboreal species. Pollen shed by Australian native Cupressaceae, Casuarinaceae and Myrtaceae species are considered to be important aeroallergens overseas, however their significance as a sensitising source in Australia remains unclear and requires further investigation.