Native Bush Research Articles

Land use intensity is a major driver of soil microbial and carbon cycling across an agricultural landscape

Soil carbon (C) storage is a critical ecosystem function that underpins human health and well-being. The acceleration of human-driven land use change, such as agricultural intensification, is a major driver of soil C loss globally. Developing sustainable land use practices that enhance agricultural productivity whilst protecting essential ecosystem functions such as soil C storage is vital. The soil microbiome has a critical role in regulating soil biogeochemical cycling processes, including soil C cycling. Examining the impacts of land use intensity on the soil microbiome enables us to assess the potential effects on long-term soil C stocks. Using metagenomic DNA sequencing and phospholipid fatty acid analysis, we investigated differences in the activity, diversity, and function of the soil microbiome associated with five contrasting land uses across an agricultural landscape. The land uses covered a gradient of disturbance intensities and included remnant native forest, regenerating native bush, exotic plantation forest, dryland pasture, and irrigated pasture. We identified pronounced differences in the soil microbiome associated with each land use, including the diversity and abundance of microbial C and nitrogen (N) cycling genes. Notably, intensive agricultural land uses had a significantly higher diversity and abundance of microbial C-degrading genes, whilst land uses of remnant native forest had the lowest diversity and abundance of microbial C-degrading genes. Our findings suggest that intensive agricultural land use may increase the functional potential of the soil microbiome to mineralize soil C, potentially resulting in a greater loss of soil C as respired CO2 into the atmosphere. This research may be used to support the development of sustainable management practices that promote the persistence of soil C across agricultural landscapes, such as the protection of remnant native forest fragments and greater incorporation of regenerating native vegetation.

Understanding the spatio-temporal distribution of bush encroachment in savannah rangelands, South Africa

Bush encroachment threatens rangelands’ biodiversity and productivity, impacting savannah ecosystems based on location, management practices, and factors like erratic rainfall, climate change, and environmental variability. Considering these challenges, this study therefore seeks to evaluate bush encroachment changes over-time (1992–2022) in the Southern part of Kruger National Park and surrounding communities of South Africa. The study estimated the proportion and extent of encroacher plants in relation to native bush species. To achieve this objective, bioclimatic variables, and a digital elevation model in conjunction with the Random Forest model were utilized. Classified satellite imageries achieved an overall accuracy of 72 and 93%, respectively. A gradual increase in bush encroachment was observed from 41,947 hectares (ha) (3.4%) in 1992 to 61,225 ha (10%) in 2022. Additionally, this study observed a decline in the spatial extent of native plant species by 178,163.4 ha, while invasive species have expanded by 44,022.17 ha from 1992 to 2022 wet season. There is a significant increase in the invasive woody species across the years; because the p-value (p < 0.000) is <5% (p < 0.05), the significance level is <5%. The findings of this study offer a significant understanding of the historical patterns of bush encroachment over the past three decades. This information serves as a baseline for formulating strategic and sustainable management approaches to combat bush encroachment and promote effective rangeland preservation in predominantly savannah ecosystems.

Native predators can learn new prey cues to overcome naivete and hunt novel alien prey

Biological invasions continue to rise globally, increasing the frequency of novel ecological interactions and the potential for naivete. Native predators can defend against invasion by alien prey species through biotic resistance, but initial predator naivete towards novel alien prey can allow prey to establish. Here we test if predator naivete can be overcome via a learned association between novel prey cues and a food reward, and if this conditioning increases predator motivation to hunt novel alien prey. We exposed free-living native bush rats (Rattus fuscipes) to repeated bouts of novel alien cockroach (Nauphoeta cinerea) odour and food rewards over an 11-day training period. We then conducted a simulated invasion, comparing the survival rates of sentinel cockroach prey in sites with trained and untrained rats. Cockroaches in sites with trained rats were 46 % more likely to be found and consumed over the invasion period than prey in sites with untrained rats. Also, the number of food rewards taken during training was correlated with the number of prey consumed on the first night of the invasion. Our results suggest that predators can overcome their naivete to novel prey through learning and that pre-exposing free-living predators to novel prey cues can subsequently increase predation rates on novel alien prey.

The influence of changing some climatic conditions on the phenological phases of the development of native bush of Forest-Steppe zone plants

Abstract It was studied that the dynamics of phenophases, the dates of the beginning and duration of phenological cycles in plants are under the constant influence of seasonal changes in climatic conditions (regular alternation of seasons with different durations of day and night, warm or cold and rainy or dry seasons). Together with the study of the shoot growth duration, it is worth conducting a study of the dynamics of their growth. This is also important for determining the tolerance for winter conditions, since it is known, that not only those shoots that finish growing early but also those that grow for a long time, but rather slowly, can be winter resistant. The intensive growth of shoots of all studied species occurs in May to mid-June. Almost all of them have two peaks of shoot growth: June and mid-July. The growth of shoots has a certain dependence on air temperature. The conducted long-term phenological observations made it possible to establish the periods of phenophases in five species of shrubs and show that in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe, all of them manage to complete their vegetation in time, before the beginning of frost. Among the studied species, Lonicera tatarica L. and Viburnum lantana L. were the first to start their shoot growth in the first decade of May. Then, in the third decade of May, shoots of E. europaeus began to grow. P. spinosa and R. canina were the last to start their shoot growth. The conducted research has a certain significance for forest reclamation work as these types of shrubs are used to create protective plantings. Establishing a certain dependence on air temperature will allow to adjust the species composition and their number when creating this type of plantation.

Koala conservation in South East Queensland: A grey literature review analysis

AbstractThis grey literature review documents koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) conservation initiatives applied across 12 local government areas in South East Queensland, Australia. To overcome threats to koalas' survival, the grey literature indicates that local governments in this region focus on wildlife management solutions, wildlife signage, habitat restoration projects and koala awareness campaigns. Despite these measures, land clearing of koala habitat to cater for urban population growth combined with recent bushfires and floods have contributed to the decline of koalas in this region. Recommendations to enhance progress include greater usage of the grey literature in peer review work and further application of social marketing to encourage residents to uptake behaviors that can mitigate threats to koalas, including slowing down when driving in koala zones, participating in citizen science, and leashing dogs when walking in native bush areas. The need for collaborative efforts aimed at conserving the koala from potential extinction is indicated. This paper provides an approach that can be applied to track progress on coordinated efforts to conserve koalas.

Firewood, architecture for fire and society. Agro-pastoralist atmospheres in the Argentine Puna (South Central Andes, ca. 1500 B.P.)

Social circumstances of the use of fire and firewood in past Andean societies are assessed through the anthracological, architectural and contextual analysis of a ritual burning in a foundational event of the agropastoralist societies from the Argentine Puna, at the southernmost part of the high desert of South Central Andes, ca. 1500 B.P. Ethnoarchaeological records on the properties and uses of native bush firewood are alluded to in the interpretation of the context. The composition of the dead bushy mixture was established as made up of 13 plant taxa collected in the vicinity -firewood, and collected in advance far from the place of use -incense plants. Likewise, differences in the composition of the plant mixture were observed when comparing the combustion core and the upper sector of the hearth. An uneven distribution of the soot was recorded, which showed the internal management of firewood and combustion residues. Aromas, smoke, color and light contrasts in the architecture of the combustion structure and the fire itself were defined. From this, a sensory ensemble and a given atmosphere around the fire are defined. They would correspond to household commensality events of the co-resident group which took place during the foundation of the “corral” for the confinement of the Camelidae cattle, and therefore during the foundation of the agro-pastoralist social group itself.

Lippia grata essential oil complexed with β-cyclodextrin ameliorates biochemical and behavioral deficits in an animal model of progressive parkinsonism.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is identified by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra pars compacta (SNpc), and is correlated to aggregates of proteins such as α-synuclein, Lewy's bodies. Although the PD etiology remains poorly understood, evidence suggests a main role of oxidative stress on this process. Lippia grata Schauer, known as "alecrim-do-mato", "alecrim-de-vaqueiro", "alecrim-da-chapada", is a native bush from tropical areas mainly distributed throughout the Central and South America. This plant species is commonly used in traditional medicine for relief of pain and inflammation conditions, and that has proven antioxidant effects. We evaluated the effects of essential oil of the L. grata after its complexed with β-cyclodextrin (LIP) on PD animal model induced by reserpine (RES). Behavioral assessments were performed across the treatment. Upon completion the treatment, the animals were euthanized, afterwards their brains were isolated and processed for immunohistochemical and oxidative stress analysis. The LIP treatment delayed the onset of the behavior of catalepsy, decreased the number of oral movements and prevented the memory impairment on the novel object recognition task. In addition, the treatment with LIP protected against dopaminergic depletion in the SNpc and dorsal striatum (STRd), and decreased the α-syn immunoreactivity in the SNpc and hippocampus (HIP). Moreover, there was reduction of the oxidative stability index. These findings demonstrated that the LIP treatment has neuroprotective effect in a progressive parkinsonism model, suggesting that LIP could be an important source for novel treatment approaches in PD.

Interspecific variation in the diet of a native apex predator and invasive mesopredator in an alpine ecosystem

AbstractCarnivores have key ecological roles in structuring and regulating ecosystems through their impacts on prey populations. When apex‐ and meso‐predators co‐occur in ecosystems, there is the potential for complex interspecific interactions and trophic dynamics that can affect the composition and functioning of ecological communities. Investigating the diet of sympatric carnivores can allow us to better understand their ecological roles (e.g. potential suppression of herbivores) or impacts (e.g. predation of threatened species). Australia's alpine region provides an ideal system in which to explore spatial and temporal variation in predator and prey interactions, using the dingo (Canis dingo) and invasive red fox (Vulpes vulpes) diet. We examined the diet of dingoes and foxes across three different mountains and seasons in Victoria's alpine region, using macroscopic scat analysis. There was little diet overlap between the two carnivores, with foxes having a broader diet than dingoes. Dingoes primarily consumed larger mammal species, including invasive sambar deer (Cervus unicolor, 44%), and the native common wombat (Vombatus ursinus, 34%), whereas foxes typically consumed smaller mammals, including the native bush rat (Rattus fuscipes, 55%), and the invasive European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus, 15%). Dingoes consumed more than thirty times the volume of large invasive mammals (predominantly sambar deer) than did foxes. Foxes consumed close to 15 times as many critical weight range individuals per scat than dingoes. Only one threatened critical weight range mammal species was identified within scats, the broad‐toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus), found within five fox scats. Our results suggest that the introduction of novel prey may alter predator–predator interactions by causing a reduction in the dietary overlap. Therefore, in the context of integrated wildlife management and biodiversity conservation, any control of novel, invasive prey populations needs to consider possible flow on effects to apex‐ and meso‐predator diets and potential secondary impacts on native prey.

Performing encounters (and encountering performance) at Auckland Zoo

Performing encounters (and encountering performance) at Auckland Zoo

Urban restoration of common species: population genetics of reintroduced native bush rats Rattus fuscipes in Sydney, Australia

AbstractCommon species play a disproportionate role in shaping ecosystem structure and function, but are currently under‐represented in conservation translocation initiatives. This represents a missed opportunity because common species are typically easier to source for restoration projects, and larger numbers of common species can feasibly be translocated without substantially impacting source populations. Reintroduction of common species is an important first step in the faunal restoration of severely impacted habitats, such as urban spaces. Common species typically retain higher genetic diversity than threatened species, but this also means that they may have more to lose via population bottlenecks that can occur from translocation. To inform efforts to translocate common species, we assessed genetic impacts of a reintroduction of the common native bush rat Rattus fuscipes to an urban reserve at North Head, Sydney (Australia). Using single‐nucleotide polymorphism diversity, we found that differentiation between source populations was low. Nevertheless, admixture during reintroduction and follow‐up translocations initially increased standardized observed heterozygosity of North Head‐born bush rats and population NE, with a subtle corresponding decrease in within‐population kinship. For 3 years following the last translocation, we detected a small decline in genetic diversity in the North Head population, although final statistics remained similar to the source populations. Our results indicate that no short‐term interventions are necessary to further promote bush rat genetic diversity at North Head, but that continued genetic monitoring will be important to determine whether a trend in declining diversity continues as the population stabilizes. We conclude that translocation of a large number of individuals from multiple sources presents a suitable option for restoring an extirpated small mammal population whilst minimizing genetic effects typically associated with such management actions. Common species present viable candidates for translocations aiming to return biodiversity to disturbed or fragmented urban ecosystems.

Survivable hypothermia or torpor in a wild-living rat: rare insights broaden our understanding of endothermic physiology

Maintaining a high and stable body temperature as observed in endothermic mammals and birds is energetically costly. Thus, it is not surprising that we discover more and more heterothermic species that can reduce their energetic needs during energetic bottlenecks through the use of torpor. However, not all heterothermic animals use torpor on a regular basis. Torpor may also be important to an individual’s probability of survival, and hence fitness, when used infrequently. We here report the observation of a single, ~ 5.5 h long hypothermic bout with a decrease in body temperature by 12 °C in the native Australian bush rat (Rattus fuscipes). Our data suggest that bush rats are able to rewarm from a body temperature of 24 °C, albeit with a rewarming rate lower than that expected on the basis of their body mass. Heterothermy, i.e. the ability to withstand and overcome periods of reduced body temperature, is assumed to be an evolutionarily ancestral (plesiomorphic) trait. We thus argue that such rare hypothermic events in species that otherwise appear to be strictly homeothermic could be heterothermic rudiments, i.e. a less derived form of torpor with limited capacity for rewarming. Importantly, observations of rare and extreme thermoregulatory responses by wild animals are more likely to be discovered with long-term data sets and may not only provide valuable insight about the physiological capability of a population, but can also help us to understand the constraints and evolutionary pathways of different phenologies.

Urban Ecology. Bird Diversity in Cities in Southern Chile

Urbanisation is a dominant demographic trend and an important component of the earth’s global transformation. It has unprecedented socioeconomic, cultural and environmental implications, and poses a threat to the conservation of biodiversity, as it can provoke alterations in ecological systems and lead to poor functioning of urban systems as they are currently structured. From the ecological point of view, the city is a fragmented, heterogeneous, complex mosaic of habitats, including ecosystems with different degrees of alteration. Urban systems contain only small areas of fragments of original vegetation and/or artificial green spaces, leading to a drastic decrease from their original abundance and diversity. However, green spaces, including original fragments, can help to conserve bird diversity, improving the functioning of these artificial systems in the medium term. This study looks at the characteristics and benefits of urban ecology in the framework of sustainable development, and carries out a meta-analysis of research into bird diversity in four cities in southern Chile, using ecological indices (Shannon-Wiener, β diversity between cities). The results reveal that there is low evenness in the four cities and that the city with the highest evenness is Valdivia (J = 0.78). There is clear dominance by a few bird species (e.g. the exotic species house sparrow Passer domesticus and rock pigeon Columba livia, and the native species rufous-collared sparrow Zonotricia capensis, austral thrush Turdus falklandii, southern lapwing Vanellus chilensis, and chimango caracara Milvago chimango). β diversity is low as the four cities show similarity greater than 50%. Birds reject paved surfaces in squares and prefer areas with native bushes and trees, with nearby bodies of water and large spaces (parks rather than squares). The study proposes technical recommendations and suggests further research.

Inhibition of enzymes important for Alzheimer’s disease by antioxidant extracts prepared from 15 New Zealand medicinal trees and bushes

ABSTRACT Alzheimer’s disease is characterised by progressive mental deterioration, related to ageing and senility. Thirty methanol and ethyl acetate extracts from 15 native New Zealand trees and bushes were produced and tested for the inhibition of three enzymes related to neurotransmission: acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and beta-secretase (BACE). In addition the IC50 for the antioxidant potential of the extracts was determined. Weinmannia racemosa and Kunzea ericoides were effective inhibitors of AChE-BChE and beta-secretase, respectively. The IC50 for W. racemosa extracts against AChE and BChE ranged between 8.09 μg/mL and 37.07 μg/mL. The ethyl acetate extract of Schefflera digitata was also an effective inhibitor of BChE (IC50 = 25.38 μg/mL). K. ericoides IC50 for beta-secretase were 29.05 μg/mL and 36.40 μg/ml. The highest radical scavenging activity (RSA) was detected in the methanol extract of Aristotelia serrata (IC50 = 2.34 μg/mL), followed by both extracts of Hebe stricta and W. racemosa, and last the methanol extracts of K. ericoides and Pomaderris kumeraho, which presented higher RSA than the reference antioxidant (IC50 <12.0 μg/mL). W. racemosa showed inhibitory activity against AChE and BChE enzymes and antioxidant activity, which suggests these extracts may have potential for application in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

High-performance thin-layer chromatography linked with (bio)assays and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy as a method for discovery and quantification of bioactive components in native Australian plants

Many native Australian plants have a long history of use as medicinal and culinary herbs and some are considered to be equivalents to the Mediterranean herbs. However, while therapeutic properties of Mediterranean herbs are well documented, there is limited information on the medicinal use of the Australian native herbs.Extracts of five native Australian plants were characterised with FTIR-ATR spectroscopy in the fingerprint region and screened for enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities via effect-directed analysis (EDA) based on bioautography. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) coupled with microchemical and biochemical derivatization assays was used for EDA screening. Detected compounds with biological activities were identified via FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. All herbs showed antioxidant activity with lemon myrtle being the most active. The α-amylase inhibition, observed in native thyme, sea parsley and native bush was associated with the presence of phenolic acids, chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid.The investigation of botanicals by a fast, hyphenated HPTLC method, has allowed an effect-directed high-throughput screening, fast characterization of complex mixtures and detection of biologically active phytochemicals (bioprofiling).

Review of *Like Nothing on this Earth: A Literary History of the Wheatbelt*, by Tony Hughes-d’Aeth

In this lengthy and ambitious work, Tony Hughes-d’Aeth employs an ‘event/witness’ model to relate the history of the wheatbelt, a portion of Western Australia consisting of approximately 50 million acres (3). Hughes-d’Aeth has a very keen interest in this region, a gigantic cleared space where all the native bush was cut down in two periods of avid assault on the natural and primordial landscape that had existed for some 40,000 years or more and inhabited by Indigenous people.

Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae) Aerial Parts at Flowering Period.

Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae) is a Brazilian native bush tree, and its leaf essential oil has been reported to possess some biological activities, but the antimicrobial activity of its aerial part essential oil at the flowering period is unknown or little studied, mainly against agents that cause foodborne diseases. Thus, this study aimed to determine the chemical composition and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of B. dracunculifolia aerial part at flowering period. This essential oil was obtained by hydro distillation and its chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, and minimum fungicidal concentration of the essential oil were evaluated against eight bacteria and eight fungi using 96-well microtiter plates. The essential oil yield was 1.8 ± 0.07%, and spathulenol (27%) and trans-nerolidol (23%), both oxygenated sesquiterpenes, were the major compounds found among 30 chemical constituents identified. The essential oil presented bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities, mainly against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and also fungistatic and fungicidal activities. However, its antibacterial activity was more effective than the antifungal one by using the essential oil at lower concentrations. Essential oil of B. dracunculifolia may be a potential alternative for food applications in order to reduce synthetic chemicals in a more sustainable food industry.

Profile of SGPT and SGOT on Male Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Hyperglycemic After Giving Insulin Leaf Extract (Tithonia diversifolia)

The leaves of insulin (Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray) are native bush plants from Central America. This plant in Indonesia is often called paitan or kembang bulan. The aim of this research was to know the profile of SGPT and SGOT of male white rat (Rattus norvegicus L.) hyperglycemic after giving insulin leaf extract (Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray). This study used 20 male Wistar rats which were divided randomly into 5 groups of treatment. Those were P0 as a group of rats which was not given alloxan and insulin leaf extract, P1 as a group of rats which was given alloxan without insulin leaf extract, P2 as a group of rats which was given alloxan and glibenclamide 2 mg/Body Weight (BW)/day, P3 as a group of rats which was given alloxan and insulin leaf extract 30 mg/BW/day, P4 as a group of rats which was given alloxan and insulin leaf extract 60 mg/BW/day. Each treatment was repeated as many as 4 replications. The results of this study indicated that there was no significant differences in all variables, namely levels of SGPT, SGOT, liver weight, body weight and Hepatosomatic index (HSI), so it can be concluded that giving insulin leaf extract (Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray) of 30 mg/BW/day and 60 mg/BW/day could improve liver function of hyperglycemic male white rats (R. norvegicus L.).

Color y conductividad eléctrica de las mieles producidas por Apis mellifera en Uruguay

Beekeeping is in development in Uruguay, where more than 90% of the production is sold for export. The aim of this work was to investigate the relation between the botanical origin and honey conductivity. Conductivity is an indirect measurement of the ash, and from the nutritional point of view, it is an indicator of the mineral composition of the honey, which is an important supplement of human diet. Honeycombs frames were studied from different geographic areas from Uruguay. The honey was extracted by a press at laboratory and fltered by a synthetic cloth. Colour, moisture, electrical conductivity, and pollen content were analysed. The darker honeys presented higher conductivity values. The higher electrical conductivity observed was from native bush, Eucalyptus spp. forest and Honeydew. Uruguayan native bush honey is unique in the world and has typical flavour. Moreover, this type of honey has higher levels of conductivity that makes it a good source of minerals.

Effect of orchard management, neighbouring land-use and shelterbelt tree composition on the parasitism of pest leafroller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) larvae in kiwifruit orchard shelterbelts

The parasitoid communities in organic and integrated pest management (IPM) kiwifruit orchards have previously been found to differ significantly, but we do not know if this affects the quality or quantity of biocontrol services. We compared parasitism of two leafroller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) pest species, Ctenopseustis obliquana (Walker) and Cnephasia jactatana (Walker), in the two types of orchard. Within each orchard, we focussed on a large shelterbelt between the kiwifruit vines and an alternative land-use to also investigate whether the shelterbelts and neighbouring habitat were a source of pests or beneficial insects for these orchards. Sentinel larvae were used to determine both parasitoid identity and parasitism rate each month during the kiwifruit growing seasons in 2013/14 (16 orchards) and 2014/15 (12 orchards). The numbers of Tortricidae and parasitoids in the shelterbelt on each orchard in each month was also assessed in 2014/15. Four parasitoid species emerged from the sentinel larvae, although average parasitism rates were very low (1–3%). There were no detectable effects of orchard management, shelterbelt type or neighbouring land-use on parasitism rates. Parasitoid numbers were low in all orchards in 2014/15, although more parasitoids were collected from the IPM orchards than the organic ones. This may have been in response to the increasing numbers of Tortricidae in the shelterbelts on the IPM orchards during the season, a trend that was not observed in the organic orchards. Both shelterbelt composition and neighbouring land-use were found to affect total combined counts of Tortricidae and parasitoids, with higher counts in shelterbelts composed of Cryptomeria japonica and where adjacent land contained native bush or tree-based scrub. Each may therefore be a source of both taxa for the orchards. Modifications to the shelterbelts that increase parastoids but not Tortricidae are needed.

Protective effect of yerba mate intake on the cardiovascular system: a post hoc analysis study in postmenopausal women.

The prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases is increased in postmenopausal women, which contributes to the burden of illnesses in this period of life. Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a native bush from Southern South America. Its leaves are rich in phenolic components, which may have antioxidant, vasodilating, hypocholesterolemic, and hypoglycemic proprieties. This post hoc analysis of the case-control study nested in the Obesity and Bone Fracture Cohort evaluated the consumption of yerba mate and the prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and coronary diseases in postmenopausal women. Ninety-five postmenopausal women were included in this analysis. A questionnaire was applied to evaluate the risk factors and diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and consumption of yerba mate infusion. Student's t-test and chi-square test were used to assess significant differences between groups. The group that consumed more than 1 L/day of mate infusion had significantly fewer diagnoses of coronary disease, dyslipidemia, and hypertension (P<0.049, P<0.048, and P<0.016, respectively). Furthermore, the serum levels of glucose were lower in the group with a higher consumption of yerba mate infusion (P<0.013). The serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides were similar between the groups. This pragmatic study points out the benefits of yerba mate consumption for the cardiovascular and metabolic systems. The ingestion of more than 1 L/day of mate infusion was associated with fewer self-reported cardiovascular diseases and lower serum levels of glucose. Longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the association between yerba mate infusion and reduction of cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women.