Populations In Protected Areas Research Articles

Genetic variation and structure of endemic and endangered wild celery (Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff.) quantified using novel microsatellite markers developed by next-generation sequencing.

Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. (Apiaceae) is a native plant that has been traditionally consumed in Iran's food and pharmaceutical industries. Overharvesting of the taxon, especially at the beginning of the growing season, due to its considerable medicinal and economic value, is believed to be the main reason for the extirpating of this plant. The consequences of the severe anthropogenic impacts on the genetic diversity of populations are poorly known. In order to investigate the level of genetic variation and patterns of the genetic structure of K. odoratissima, we developed novel microsatellite markers using the 454 Roche next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform for the first time. Out of 1,165 microsatellite markers bioinformatically confirmed, twenty-five were tested, of which 23 were used to screen genetic variation across 12 natural populations. Our results showed that the average number of alleles per locus and the polymorphic information content (PIC) were 10.87 (range 7 to 27), and 0.81 (range 0.67 to 0.94), respectively. The mean observed and expected heterozygosities (± SD) across all populations were 0.80 ± 0.31 and 0.72 ± 0.14, respectively. The average pairwise FST among the populations was 0.37 (range 0.04 to 0.81). Bayesian and distance-based clustering, and principal coordinate analyses revealed at least four major genetic clusters. Although high level of structure can be explained by landscape topography and geographic distance, presence of admixed populations can be associated to seed or pollen dispersal. Contrary to expectations, the high level of genetic variation and lack of inbreeding suggest that overexploitation has not yet significantly purged the allelic variability within the natural populations in protected areas.

ANOMALIES IN THREE FROG SPECIES FROM EASTERN AMAZONIA

We reported anomalies in three anuran species belonging to two families: Craugastoridae (Pristimantis gutturalis and P. chiastonotus), and Bufonidae (Rhinella castaneotica). All records were found in two conservation units, a well-preserved and protected area of the Amazonian rainforest in the state of Amapa, eastern Amazon. The anomalies detected were anophthalmia (characterized by the absence of one or both eyes) in P. gutturalis and P. chiastonotus, and brachydactyly (digit shortened) in R. castaneotica. Further ecotoxicological studies of anurans populations in protected areas are needed to investigate the causes of anomalies.

Cascading effects of elephant–human interactions and the role of space and mobility in sustaining biodiversity

AbstractOur study monitored the changes in elephant numbers, distribution, and ecological impacts over a 50‐year period. During this period, the free‐ranging intermingled movements of wildlife and traditional subsistence pastoralists across the Amboseli ecosystem were disrupted by a national park, livestock ranches, farms, settlements, and changing lifestyles and economies. Elephants compressed into the national park by poaching and settlement turned woodlands to grassland and shrublands, and swamps into short grazing lawns, causing a reduction of plant and herbivore diversity and resilience to extreme events. The results echo the ecological findings of high‐density elephant populations in protected areas across eastern and southern Africa. The impact has led to the view of elephants in parks as being incompatible with biodiversity and to population control measures. In contrast to Amboseli National Park, we found woody vegetation grew and plant diversity fell in areas abandoned by elephants. We therefore used naturalistic and exclosure experiments to determine the density‐dependent response of vegetation to elephants. We found plant richness to peak at the park boundary where elephants and livestock jostled spatially, setting up a creative browsing‐grazing tension that caused a patchwork of habitats and peak of plant richness. Prehistorical and historical literature reviews lend support to the Amboseli findings that elephants and people, the two dominant keystone species in the savannas, have been intimately entangled and coexisted prior to the global ivory trade and colonialism. The findings point to the need to view specific elephant populations in historical perspective and, as far as possible, create connectivity beyond protected areas to allow mobility on an ecosystem and landscape scale. The Amboseli study underscores the significance of space and mobility in the keystone role of elephants, and community‐based conservation as a way to foster coexistence at an ecosystem and landscape scale. Space and mobility also alleviate the ecological disruption of compressed populations, and minimizes population management.

Environmental conservation, spatial mobility, and living conditions of traditional populations in protected areas: for adequate health access models in the Amazonian context.

Environmental conservation, spatial mobility, and living conditions of traditional populations in protected areas: for adequate health access models in the Amazonian context.

Visitor pressure in protected areas: Interactions between river tourists and freshwater pearl mussels in the Central European national park Šumava

The freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera (FPM) is an endangered bivalve species occurring in oligotrophic rivers. FPMs can be found in the Upper Vltava River in the Šumava National Park (Czech Republic, Central Europe), where suitable conditions exist for both adult and juvenile mussels. Non-consumptive human leisure activities are known to negatively affect wildlife in fragile aquatic ecosystems, and in the Vltava River boating tourism in particular may be a threat to local mussel populations. This study focused on an assessment of interactions between river tourists and the FPM, using “pseudo-mussels” in both field and lab experiments. In the field, fake concrete mussels were exposed at three rest sites for river tourists, and in the lab experiment glued shells were placed at the water-sediment interface in an aquarium tested for mechanical impacts of paddles (dislodgement and crushing). Interactions of river tourists with fake mussels were most frequent at low water levels (10–20 cm), and within 2 m from the nearest river bank. Mussel visibility and the presence/absence of a guide played an important role in people´s reactions, but site-specific effects were also found. Unintentional interactions (60–69%) were mostly observed at less-attractive sites (with a limited area of shallow water where people spent most time outside the river channel), whereas visual and manipulative interactions (76%) dominated at a more-attractive site (the confluence of two rivers where people move across and inspect the river channel). Crash tests revealed that 8.03 ± 1.37 (mean±SD) and 7.88 ± 1.13 (mean±SD) hits by paddles were needed for dislodgment and crushing, respectively. Those findings indicate that the direct effects of recreational boating might be less detrimental than those of accompanying activities (such as wading, bathing, and swimming). The role of trampling (and handling) disturbances should be investigated in more detail to help conserve FPM populations in protected areas.

Distribution and conservation status of threatened endemic amphibians within the Aspromonte mountain region, a hotspot of Mediterranean biodiversity

Amphibian biodiversity loss in recent years has exceeded that of all other groups of vertebrates. In this context, biodiversity hotspots represent priority targets for conservation in amphibian populations. However, little information is available on the distribution and conservation status of amphibian species within most biodiversity hotspots. Here, we characterized the distribution and conservation status of four threatened endemic amphibians (Bombina pachypus, Salamandra salamandra gigliolii, Salamandrina terdigitata, and Rana italica) in the Aspromonte Mountain region, a biodiversity hotspot in southern Italy where the conservation status of amphibians is almost unexplored. We conducted an intensive field survey of 507 potential breeding sites spanning over 2,326 km2. We found that all four species were widespread in the study area. We observed 337 species occurrences: 63 for S. s. gigliolii, 29 for S. terdigitata, 84 for B. pachypus, and 161 for R. italica. Species distribution analysis revealed that S. s. gigliolii and R. italica populations had an extended and homogenous distribution. Conversely, S. terdigitata showed a dispersed pattern, with long distances among breeding sites, and B. pachypus an aggregated pattern, associated with the availability of suitable artificial habitats. On the other hand, we reported a decrease in B. pachypus occurrence in its natural habitats, which reflects a negative trend of its populations. Overall, our results provide an encouraging framework for the conservation of amphibian populations in this area, but highlight the low coverage of threatened amphibian populations in protected areas, highlighting the need for a reassessment of conservation policies and spatial conservation planning for the Aspromonte region.

Видовой состав и структура фауны землероек Норского заповедника

When monitoring small mammal populations in protected areas, the first step is to establish micromammalia species composition, including shrew species composition. In order to achieve this, we have been capturing shrews in all typical Norsky reserve habitats for the past nine years. The presence of seven brown-toothed species has been reliably established. Out of those, S. caecutiens, S. roboratus, S. daphaenodon and S. isodon are common species, while S. gracillimus, S. minutissimus and S. tundrensis are secondary species. In terms of species diversity values, the Norsky reserve occupies an intermediate position between the protected areas located in the north and the south of the Amur region. To monitor biodiversity in the Norsky reserve, we recommend two indicator species. The first is S. caecutiens, due to its high abundance and presence in all habitat types. The second is S. roboratus, since its population numbers are both relatively high and quite sensitive to external adverse factors (fires, floods, etc.). In addition to that, the shrew taxocene composition itself is a fairly reliable indicator of habitat biodiversity status. This indicator includes any changes in subdominant species ratio, lack of records of secondary species catches and any sharp changes in species diversity index values.

Turning ghosts into dragons: improving camera monitoring outcomes for a cryptic low-density Komodo dragon population in eastern Indonesia

Abstract Context Detection probability is a key attribute influencing population-level wildlife estimates necessary for conservation inference. Increasingly, camera traps are used to monitor threatened reptile populations and communities. Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) populations have been previously monitored using camera traps; however, considerations for improving detection probability estimates for very low-density populations have not been well investigated. Aims Here we compare the effects of baited versus non-baited camera monitoring protocols to influence Komodo dragon detection and occupancy estimates alongside monitoring survey design and cost considerations for ongoing population monitoring within the Wae Wuul Nature Reserve on Flores Island, Indonesia. Methods Twenty-six camera monitoring stations (CMS) were deployed throughout the study area with a minimum of 400 m among CMS to achieve independent sampling units. Each CMS was randomly assigned as a baited or non-baited camera monitoring station and deployed for 6 or 30 daily sampling events. Key results Baited camera monitoring produced higher site occupancy estimates with reduced variance. Komodo dragon detection probability estimates were 0.15 ± 0.092–0.22 (95% CI), 0.01 ± 0.001–0.03, and 0.03 ± 0.01–0.04 for baited (6 daily survey sampling events), unbaited (6 daily survey sampling events) and long-unbaited (30 daily survey sampling events) sampling durations respectively. Additionally, the provision of baited lures at cameras had additional benefits for Komodo detection, survey design and sampling effort costs. Conclusions Our study indicated that baited cameras provide the most effective monitoring method to survey low-density Komodo dragon populations in protected areas on Flores. Implications We believe our monitoring approach now lends itself to evaluating population responses to ecological and anthropogenic factors, hence informing conservation efforts in this nature reserve.

Management resourcing and government transparency are key drivers of biodiversity outcomes in Southeast Asian protected areas

Protected areas aim to conserve nature by providing safe havens for biodiversity. However, protection from habitat loss, poaching and other threats, is not guaranteed without adequate investment in their management. Here, we examine the relationship between management effectiveness using the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) and trends of 79 populations of mammals and birds in 12 Southeast Asian protected areas from Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Despite the negative influence of corruption on species population change, we find evidence that adequate financial and human resourcing are important determinants in achieving good biodiversity outcomes. Management resourcing, national government transparency and body size collectively explain 29% of the variation in animal population trends in our model. Our paper contributes to a growing evidence base linking management resourcing shortfalls to declining biodiversity populations in protected areas. Our key findings are relevant to international funding agencies, governments and NGOs, to aid decision making around the allocation of conservation resources in Southeast Asia.

Exploiting fruits of a threatened palm to trigger restoration of Brazil's Atlantic Forest

Recent global commitments to forest and landscape restoration in the tropics call for new management approaches that benefit both biodiversity and livelihoods of forest‐dependent people. The sustainable use of wild forest products is a promising pathway, but requires clarity about harvested species' demography and harvesters' rights. Here, we explored how the exploitation of fruits of the threatened palm Euterpe edulis, a key fruit source for wildlife in Brazil's globally important Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, could trigger local community involvement in restoration. This palm has both non‐destructive (fruit) and destructive (palm heart) culinary uses, each with unique biological and resource‐use conditions. We quantified all demographic stages of this species in multiple agroforests, secondary forests, and protected areas to parameterize demographic projections of palm populations, harvest profitability, and fruit provisioning to wildlife under different management scenarios. Field observations showed a clear depression of adult palm populations in protected areas, likely due to palm heart poaching, and of intermediate size classes in agroforests, probably from weeding by farmers. Field data and demographic models reveal that in this region, agroforests and secondary forests can successfully conserve this species while providing lasting profits for farmers under most scenarios. These findings demonstrate a clear case where local stakeholders both contribute to and benefit from restoration through harvest of wild products and also highlight a potential source of income from regenerating tropical forests.

Geographical analysis of the Javan deer distribution in Indonesia and priorities for landscape conservation

Javan deer (Rusa timorensis) is a protected species in Indonesia and considered to be vulnerable under IUCN list. Nevertheless, its native geographic distribution remains unclear, and the impact of abiotic and biotic factors on this species are mostly unknown. We predicted the potential range of Javan deer in Java and Bali Islands using ten environmental variables, occurrence data of native (76 before 1965, and 653 after 1965) and introduced populations (559), and MaxEnt modelling. We evaluated the effects of habitat loss due to current land use, ecosystem availability, and importance of Indonesian protected areas into the models. Our predictive map significantly improved the IUCN assessment and described for the first time the spread of Javan deer out of its native range within Indonesia. The model of environmental suitability estimated a potential of 3,784.43 km2 natural occurrence in Java and Bali and 36,352.61 km2 for introduced populations in protected areas of West Nusa Tenggara to Papua. The most critical environmental predictors for both populations are the mean annual precipitation and the conservation status of land. Then, 45.66 % of the distribution of native populations overlaps with protected areas, 18.96 % with production forests, 11.07 % with non-protected areas, 10.10 % with limited production forests and 4.20 % with industrial oil palm plantations. Only 22.88 % of the distribution of introduced populations overlaps with protected areas. Our study provides reliable information on places where conservation efforts must be prioritized, both inside and outside the protected area network, to safeguard one of the remaining Indonesian large deer.

High density of keystone herbivore vs. conservation of natural resources: Factors affecting red deer distribution and impact on vegetation in Słowiński National Park, Poland

Rising deer densities are often in conflict with human activity. Among those conflicts there is conservation of natural resources whereas the protected areas, which are often unhunted, are known to form a hunting refuge resulting in higher deer densities than in the surrounding hunted areas. The issue is well known in many protected areas in the US, much less information on the matter is available in Europe, where protected areas are much smaller than in the other regions of the world. We studied red deer density, their distribution and pressure on vegetation in Słowiński National Park, northern Poland, whose land area is 11,000 ha and the forest area is just 6000 ha. Red deer density inside the forest area of the Park (ca. 26 ind./100 ha) was 2–3 times higher than in the surrounding hunted forest districts. Deer density in the Park had a limited influence (within a zone of 1 km) on the density of the species in the forest districts (only in one out of two districts). Despite its small size red deer densities within the Park were diversified and they were influenced by the forest site type and the distance to non-forest sites. Red deer density in the Park’s forests was inversely related to the distance to food abundant agricultural areas and positively related to the distance to the cover offering ones. Though the impact on forest vegetation (in terms of its biomass) was proportional to its availability, distance to non-forest sites strongly influenced the pressure. We conclude that that lack of hunting, together with favourable food and cover condition, can increase large herbivore densities even in relatively small protected areas. Since their high densities can have a negative direct and indirect influence on biodiversity and the primary goal of protected areas is biodiversity protection, we call for more research on the issue followed by a public debate in Europe concerning potential control of large herbivore populations in protected areas.

How Roads Affect the Spatial Use of the Guanaco in a South American Protected Area: Human Connectivity vs Animal Welfare

Roads can affect animals as well as their habits at different levels. Avoidance behavior is a common response of animals to this type of perturbation, preventing access to areas rich in resources. The effects of roads on ungulates have not been studied in South America extensively, especially in arid environments. We have studied the space use by ungulates in relation to roads, using a dung heap count and camera traps. The aim was to evaluate whether paved road and unpaved road may have an effect on the spatial use of a low density population of guanacos (Lama guanicoe) in Ischigualasto Provincial Park, Argentina. We observed an increase in dung heap abundance in unpaved road as respect to paved road, this difference was larger for both. Besides, we recorded less individuals in paved road zones than in unpaved road zones. This showed that roads, especially paved roads, negatively affect the space used by guanacos. Our results are relevant to the management and conservation of animal populations in protected areas since spatial segregation due to the presence of roads may lead to the isolation of individuals. It is important to pay attention and further assess the effects that roads can have in the native fauna.

Changes in NDVI and human population in protected areas on the Tibetan Plateau

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the Tibetan Plateau’s role in environmental change has gained increasing scientific attention in light of warming and changes in land management. We examine changes in greenness over the Tibetan Plateau using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from the Global Inventory Monitoring and Modeling Study (GIMMS3g) to identify significant changes over the entire plateau, six ecoregions, and protected areas based on a multiyear time series of July imagery from 1982 to 2015. We also test whether there have been changes in human populations in protected areas. There has been relatively little change in mean NDVI over the Tibetan Plateau or ecoregions, however, there were significant changes at the pixel level. There are sixty-nine protected areas on the Tibetan Plateau; sixty-two protected areas had no significant change in mean NDVI and seven protected areas experienced a significant increase in NDVI. There has been an increase in population within protected areas from 2000 to 2015; however, mean populations significantly increased in two protected areas and significantly decreased in four protected areas. Results suggest a slow greening of the Tibetan Plateau, ecoregions, and protected areas, with a more rapid greening in northern Tibet at the pixel level. Most protected areas are experiencing minor changes in NDVI independent of human population.

Protection by culling: the crux of red deer management in National Parks

Managing large ungulates in the territory of national parks requires comprehensive knowledge of many factors (population parameters, the distribution of animals and the number of their habitats, their feeding grounds, the intensity and direction of their migration), and skill in responding to the effects of negative chance events. A large number of the factors are by nature stochastic; thus, from a programming perspective, the issue of managing ungulate populations is difficult to formulate as an algorithm. This paper presents a model built using artificial neural networks (ANN). The results obtained with this model show that it is possible to maintain the population in a park without the necessity for culling within its boundaries. The study also demonstrated that culling specifically of hinds in these areas should be increased. The research presents alternative culling strategies for red deer populations in protected areas.

Big enough for bears? American black bears at heightened risk of mortality during seasonal forays outside Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario

Protected areas may provide insufficient protection for carnivores such as bears (Ursidae) with large home ranges and extensive seasonal movements. Even in protected areas, harvest can be the main cause of mortality if parks are small or individuals live close to the boundary. At >7,600 km2, Algonquin Provincial Park (APP) is the largest protected area in southern Ontario, Canada, yet wolves (Canis lycaon c.f.) experienced increased mortality when leaving APP to hunt white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). American black bears (Ursus americanus; hereafter, bears) also undertake seasonal movements, and may incur increased risk of harvest related mortality if they leave the park. We fitted 72 bears with Global Positioning System or Very High Frequency radiocollars during 2006–2014 to determine overall and cause-specific mortality rates, and whether risk of mortality changed when bears left APP or during years of low natural food availability. Further, we compared the abundance of resident bears with harvest rates in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) surrounding APP to determine whether harvest was higher in areas surrounding the park compared with WMUs farther from the park boundary. Hazard analysis showed annual mortality for radiocollared bears in APP was 15%. Harvest mortality was double that of all other causes combined. Bears were 7 times more likely to die outside the park. Years of lower natural food availability inside the park, or higher red oak (Quercus rubra) availability outside the park did not significantly alter the risk of mortality. Male bears were 6 times more likely to be harvested than females, and 4 times more likely to die from other causes. High harvests of bears in WMUs near APP contrasted with low abundance of resident bears, suggesting that APP acts as a source population for harvest that occurs near park boundaries. Meaningful maintenance of the integrity of bear populations in protected areas should be undertaken at the landscape scale.

A railway increases the abundance and accelerates the phenology of bear‐attracting plants in a forested, mountain park

AbstractVegetation enhancement along railways has not been well studied, despite high rates of mortality from train strikes across numerous species, including sensitive populations in protected areas. This situation describes grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in the mountain parks of Canada, where train strikes have become the leading source of known mortality. We hypothesized that attraction by bears to railways occurs partly because of increases in the richness, diversity, cover, and maturation rate of plants consumed by bears relative to adjacent forest and that this effect may increase with elevation. We quantified and compared responses in plants used by bears to the railway (ballast), forest edge, and within adjacent forest for two growing seasons (May–October) at 19 locations spanning an elevational gradient in Banff and Yoho National Parks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Overall, richness, diversity, and total cover of plants consumed by bears were greatest at the forest edge. On the forest edge or ballast, flowering rates of some species were over three times higher and fruit occurrence was up to five times higher than 50 m into the adjacent forest. Enhancement of berry productivity along rail edges increased with elevation. Buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis), an important regional pre‐hibernation resource, had more fruit, faster ripening, and higher sugar content for shrubs located within 15 m of the rail than within surrounding interior forest. Our results demonstrate that railway edges can increase the quantity and quality of palatable vegetation resources of both native and introduced species, potentially increasing strike risk for bears and other wildlife. Potential mitigation of this risk could include removal of attractants along the rail, particularly at locations where other factors increase the risk of collisions, and creation of forest openings, either through natural processes or through forest modification that would provide forage in less risky habitats.

Distribution, genetic diversity and potential spatiotemporal scale of alien gene flow in crop wild relatives of rice (Oryza spp.) in Colombia

BackgroundCrop wild relatives (CWRs) of rice hold important traits that can contribute to enhancing the ability of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa and O. glaberrima) to produce higher yields, cope with the effects of climate change, and resist attacks of pests and diseases, among others. However, the genetic resources of these species remain dramatically understudied, putting at risk their future availability from in situ and ex situ sources. Here we assess the distribution of genetic diversity of the four rice CWRs known to occur in Colombia (O. glumaepatula, O. alta, O. grandiglumis, and O. latifolia). Furthermore, we estimated the degree of overlap between areas with suitable habitat for cultivated and wild rice, both under current and predicted future climate conditions to assess the potential spatiotemporal scale of potential gene flow from GM rice to its CWRs.ResultsOur findings suggest that part of the observed genetic diversity and structure, at least of the most exhaustively sampled species, may be explained by their glacial and post-glacial range dynamics. Furthermore, in assessing the expected impact of climate change and the potential spatiotemporal scale of gene flow between populations of CWRs and GM rice we find significant overlap between present and future suitable areas for cultivated rice and its four CWRs. Climate change is expected to have relatively limited negative effects on the rice CWRs, with three species showing opportunities to expand their distribution ranges in the future.ConclusionsGiven (i) the sparse presence of CWR populations in protected areas (ii) the strong suitability overlap between cultivated rice and its four CWRs; and (iii) the complexity of managing and regulating areas to prevent alien gene flow, the first priority should be to establish representative ex situ collections for all CWR species, which currently do not exist. In the absence of studies under field conditions on the scale and extent of gene flow between cultivated rice and its Colombian CWRs, effective in situ conservation might best be achieved through tailor-made management plans and exclusion of GM rice cultivation in areas holding the most genetically diverse CWR populations. This may be combined with assisted migration of populations to suitable areas where rice is unlikely to be cultivated under current and future climate conditions.

Low leopard populations in protected areas of Maputaland: a consequence of poaching, habitat condition, abundance of prey, and a top predator.

Identifying the primary causes affecting population densities and distribution of flagship species are necessary in developing sustainable management strategies for large carnivore conservation. We modeled drivers of spatial density of the common leopard (Panthera pardus) using a spatially explicit capture–recapture—Bayesian approach to understand their population dynamics in the Maputaland Conservation Unit, South Africa. We camera‐trapped leopards in four protected areas (PAs) of varying sizes and disturbance levels covering 198 camera stations. Ours is the first study to explore the effects of poaching level, abundance of prey species (small, medium, and large), competitors (lion Panthera leo and spotted hyenas Crocuta crocuta), and habitat on the spatial distribution of common leopard density. Twenty‐six male and 41 female leopards were individually identified and estimated leopard density ranged from 1.6 ± 0.62/100 km2 (smallest PA—Ndumo) to 8.4 ± 1.03/100 km2 (largest PA—western shores). Although dry forest thickets and plantation habitats largely represented the western shores, the plantation areas had extremely low leopard density compared to native forest. We found that leopard density increased in areas when low poaching levels/no poaching was recorded in dry forest thickets and with high abundance of medium‐sized prey, but decreased with increasing abundance of lion. Because local leopard populations are vulnerable to extinction, particularly in smaller PAs, the long‐term sustainability of leopard populations depend on developing appropriate management strategies that consider a combination of multiple factors to maintain their optimal habitats.

PHENOTYPIC VARIABILITY IN FEIJOA FRUITS [Acca sellowiana (O. Berg.) Burret] ON INDIGENOUS LANDS,QUILOMBOLAS COMMUNITIES AND PROTECTED AREAS IN THE SOUTH OF BRAZIL

ABSTRACT Phenotypic studies with native fruits are important sources of information for understanding the status of conservation of plant species, especially populations in protected areas (PAs). Fruits of 18 populations of feijoa [Acca sellowiana (O. Berg.) Burret] present in three kind of PAs, Quilombolas Communities (QLs), Indigenous Lands (ILs) and Conservation Units (CUs) were evaluated with the aim to characterize the phenotypic variability. Fruits were harvested at maturity and eight morphological descriptors were measured: diameter, length, total weight, pericarp weight, pulp weight, pericarp thickness, pulp yield and solid soluble contents (°Brix). The results revealed the existence of large morphological variability for all traits, with significant differences among all populations and among those populations grouped in QLs, TIs and UCs, particularly to the total weight and peel thickness. There was a clear formation of five major clusters of genetic dissimilarity. In addition, two Uruguayan type populations and 16 Brazilian type populations showed contrast means for most of the evaluated traits. The lower variability on fruit characters found in plants collected in areas of traditional people but not in CUs suggests the existence of selection processes of feijoa genotypes on those areas.