Protium Heptaphyllum Research Articles

Regeneração natural de um fragmento de Floresta Ombrófila Densa na Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Capibaribe, PE

The study aimed to evaluate the phytosociology structure regenerating woody component in riparian area in the ‘Mata de Quizanga’, in the watershed of River Capibaribe, PE-Brazil. Were allocated 10 plots 1 × 25 m (25 m2), arranged systematically and 25 m apart from each other, being sampled all individuals with Circuference Base Height < 15 cm and with the following height classes (H): 1) 1.0 ? H ? 2.0 m; 2) 2.0 < H ? 3.0 m e 3) H > 3.0 m. Two hundred and four individuals belonging to 41 species, distributed in 28 genera and 21 botany families were sampled. The most representative families in species richness were Myrtaceae, Mimosaceae and Moraceae. Density and absolute dominance values ranged from 8.160 ind ha-1 to 18.88 m2 ha-1, respectively. Individuals’ distribution by regeneration class had a predominance of individuals in the first two classes. Helicostylis tomentosa, Eschweilera ovata, Anaxagorea dolichocarpa, Protium heptaphyllum and Protium giganteum species stood out for number of individuals, importance value and natural regeneration, being considered as indicatives of future local forest formation. Shannon index (H’) obtained for the fragment was 3.20 nats ind-1.

Structure and floristic pattern of a coastal dunes in southeastern Brazil

The Brazilian shrublands area (restinga) is composed of marine coast vegetation on Quaternary sandy plains, where the species composition can vary depending on the surrounding ecosystems. The aims of this study were to describe the structure and floristic composition of a restinga near the community of Itaúnas, in the northern part of the state of Espírito Santo, to identify any relationships between this restinga and surrounding plant formations, and to determine which are the species that occur preferentially in the coastal forests of Espírito Santo. We sampled woody plants with a diameter at breast height > 2.5 cm, excluding lianas, in 50 plots of 100 m². We selected studies of coastal forests in the states of Espírito Santo and Bahia to prepare a database that would reveal patterns of floristic variation among these areas. We used t wo-way indicator species analysis for the identification of the species that occur preferentially in the coastal forests of Espírito Santo. We identified 114 species belonging to 38 families. Species richness was greatest for Myrtaceae (26 species), followed by Fabaceae (10). The Shannon index for the study area was 3.96. The estimated total density was 3,330 individuals/ha and basal area was 32.02 m²/ha. The highest importance value (IV) was for Protium heptaphyllum (IV, 23.4), indicating that it is characteristic of the Espírito Santo restinga. The results of our floristic analysis indicate that the species composition of the Itaúnas restinga is influenced by the so-called tabuleiro forests (coastal lowland forests on Tertiary deposits), which are most common in northern Espírito Santo. This seems to be the main factor responsible for the gradual reduction in floristic similarity between the restingas in the north of Espírito Santo and those in the south of the state, each constituting a distinct floristic block. In addition, we generated lists of species that occur preferentially in the restinga and tabuleiro forests. Those lists could inform decisions regarding environmental restoration programs.

Antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of α, β-amyrin, a triterpenoid mixture from Protium heptaphyllum in mice

BackgroundPentacyclic triterpenes in general exert beneficial effects in metabolic disorders. This study investigated the effects of α, β-amyrin, a pentacyclic triterpene mixture from the resin of Protium heptaphyllum on blood sugar level and lipid profile in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, and in mice fed on a high-fat diet (HFD).FindingsMice treated with α, β-amyrin (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) or glibenclamide (10 mg/kg, p.o.) had significantly reduced STZ-induced increases in blood glucose (BG), total cholesterol (TC) and serum triglycerides (TGs). Unlike glibenclamide that showed significant reductions in BG, TC and TGs in normoglycemic mice, α, β-amyrin did not lower normal blood sugar levels but at 100 mg/kg, manifested a hypolipidemic effect. Also, α, β-amyrin effectively reduced the elevated plasma glucose levels during the oral glucose tolerance test. Moreover, the plasma insulin level and histopathological analysis of pancreas revealed the beneficial effect of α, β-amyrin in the preservation of beta cell integrity. In mice treated orally with α, β-amyrin (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) or fenofibrate (200 mg/kg), the HFD-associated rise in serum TC and TGs were significantly less. The hypocholesterolemic effect of α, β-amyrin appeared more prominent at 100 mg/kg with significant decreases in VLDL and LDL cholesterol and an elevation of HDL cholesterol. Besides, the atherogenic index was significantly reduced by α, β-amyrin.ConclusionsThese findings reflect the potential antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of α, β-amyrin mixture and suggest that it could be a lead compound for drug development effective in diabetes and atherosclerosis.

Spatial Distribution and Fruiting Phenology of Protium heptaphyllum (Burseraceae) Determine the Design of the Underground Foraging System of Atta sexdens L. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Leaf-cutting ants have long been recognized to forage via complex trail systems but the nature and the ecological drivers of the different foraging strategies adopted remain a key topic. Here, we described the spatiotemporal use of belowground foraging galleries by Atta sexdens L. in the Brazilian Atlantic forest, and examined the adaptive advantages of this foraging strategy. Protium heptaphyllum adult trees (DBH > 10 cm), seed/seedling clumps and ant gallery entrances were mapped across two 1-ha plots during two consecutive fruiting seasons (2002 and 2004). We recorded 75 ca. 40 cm deep gallery entrances beneath 26 P. heptaphyllum trees at nest distances ranging from 14 to 57 m. Furthermore, gallery abundance and galleries associated with seed/seedling clumps correlated positively with P. heptaphyllum density. Our results indicate that A. sexdens was able to set a permanent system of underground galleries targeting P. heptaphyllum trees and their seeds on the ground. Such network of galleries was spatially arranged according to both the spatial distribution and abundance of P. heptaphyllum trees in a way that most gallery entrances were disposed beneath or in close periphery of P. heptaphyllum crowns. Our findings suggest that underground trail systems shaped by fruit resources represent a foraging strategy clearly more common than existing literature on the subject would suggest. In addition, it reinforces the notion that the spatiotemporal availability of resources combined with predation risk largely influence trail configurations as well as overall foraging strategies adopted by leaf-cutting ants.

Screening of Venezuelan Medicinal Plant Extracts for Cytostatic and Cytotoxic Activity Against Tumor Cell Lines

There are estimated to be more than 20,000 species of plants in Venezuela, of which more than 1500 are used for medicinal purposes by indigenous and local communities. Only a relatively small proportion of these have been evaluated in terms of their potential as antitumor agents. In this study, we screened 308 extracts from 102 species for cytostatic and cytotoxic activity against a panel of six tumor cell lines using a 24-h sulphorhodamine B assay. Extracts from Clavija lancifolia, Hamelia patens, Piper san-vicentense, Physalis cordata, Jacaranda copaia, Heliotropium indicum, and Annona squamosa were the most cytotoxic, whereas other extracts from Calotropis gigantea, Hyptis dilatata, Chromolaena odorata, Siparuna guianensis, Jacaranda obtusifolia, Tapirira guianensis, Xylopia aromatica, Protium heptaphyllum, and Piper arboreum showed the greatest cytostatic activity. These results confirm previous reports on the cytotoxic activities of the above-mentioned plants as well as prompting further studies on others such as C. lancifolia and H. dilatata that have not been so extensively studied.

Estrutura e síndromes de dispersão de espécies arbóreas em um trecho de mata ciliar, Sirinhaém, Pernambuco, Brasil

This study aimed to know the phytosociology of the tree component of riparian vegetation in a stream that flows into the Sirinhaem River in Engenho Buranhem, Sirinhaem, Pernambuco State, and identify the species dispersal syndromes. The stream is located in a fragment of dense rain forest of the lowlands, with 272 ha. It was sempled used one hectare (40 sampling units of 10 m x 25 m each). It was registered 1,307 trees with circumference at breast height (CAP) . 15 cm. We identified 118 species belonging to 40 botanical families. Protium heptaphyllum and Pouteria sp.1 were the most abundant species. In terms of importance value (IV), Protium heptaphyllum, Pouteria sp.1 and Virola gardneri are among the most important ecologically species. The predominant dispersal syndromes were zoocory (72.8%), autocory (13.6%) and anemochory (4.8%). It was not possible to determine the type of dispersal of 8.8% of the species studied. doi: 10.4336/2012.pfb.32.69.01

Leaf breakdown in an Atlantic Rain Forest stream

AbstractThe hypothesis of this study was that colonizers in decaying leaf litter prefer native species (Erythrina verna) to exotic ones (Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Protium heptaphyllum). Therefore, native species are expected to show higher breakdown rates, increased biomass, richness and density of invertebrate species, and increased biomass of decomposer fungi. Breakdown of leaf litter from these three species was assessed in an Atlantic Rain Forest stream. Four samples were collected during a period of 90 days and washed on a sieve to separate the invertebrates. Then, a series of leaf disks were cut to determine ash‐free dry mass and fungal biomass, and the remaining material was oven‐dried to determine the dry weight. Eucalyptus camaldulensis and E. verna showed higher breakdown rates than P. heptaphyllum, due to differences in leaf physical and chemical characteristics. The harder detritus (P. heptaphyllum) broke down more slowly than detritus with high concentrations of labile compounds (E. camaldulensis). The density of the invertebrates associated with detritus increased with time. There were no differences in density, taxonomic richness or biomass of invertebrates among the leaf types, which indicated that the invertebrates did not distinguish between exotic and native detritus. Fungal colonization varied among samples; E. camaldulensis showed the lowest ergosterol concentrations, mainly due to a high concentration of total phenolics. The detritus with the highest hardness value was colonized most slowly by fungi. These results showed that leaf breakdown in Atlantic Rain Forest streams could be affected either by changes in riparian vegetation, or by becoming more savanna‐like process due to climate change.

Antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants from the cerrado of the central-western region of Brazil

Ethanol extracts from six selected species from the Cerrado of the Central-Western region of Brazil, which are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases and other medical conditions, namely Erythroxylum suberosum St. Hil. (Erythroxylaceae), Hyptis crenata Pohl. ex Benth. (Lamiaceae), Roupala brasiliensis Klotz. (Proteaceae), Simarouba versicolor St. Hil. (Simaroubaceae), Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. (Sterculiaceae) and Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) March. (Burseraceae), as well as fractions resulting from partition of these crude extracts, were screened in vitro for their antifungal and antibacterial properties. The antimicrobial activities were assessed by the broth microdilution assay against six control fungal strains, Candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis and Cryptococcus neoformans, and five control Gram-positive and negative bacterial strains, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Toxicity of the extracts and fractions against Artemia salina was also evaluated in this work. All plants investigated showed antimicrobial properties against at least one microorganism and two species were also significantly toxic to brine shrimp larvae. The results tend to support the traditional use of these plants for the treatment of respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders and/or skin diseases, opening the possibility of finding new antimicrobial agents from these natural sources. Among the species investigated, Hyptis crenata, Erythroxylum suberosum and Roupala brasiliensis were considered the most promising candidates for developing of future bioactivity-guided phytochemical investigations.

Gastroprotective effects of essential oil from Protium heptaphyllum on experimental gastric ulcer models in rats

Peptic ulcers are a common disorder of the entire gastrointestinal tract, its etiology has not been completely elucidated. The basic physiopathological of peptic ulcers result from an imbalance between some endogenous aggressive factor and cytoprotective factors. The treatment of this disease is usually done with antacids or proton pump, but are currently being used plants derivated compounds. We evaluated the gastroprotective properties and its possible mechanisms of action of the essential oil from Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand, Burseraceae (BB). The formation of ulcers, were evaluated in three experimental models, through the induction of gastric lesions by ethanol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetic acid. The mechanisms of action were evaluated through the pylorus ligature experiment, western blot, GSH, GR, SOD, GPx, MDA and MPO activities. BB significantly inhibited the formation of ulcers induced by the three different models, increased the GSH and GR levels and maintained the same levels of SOD and GPx of the sham group, inhibited MPO and MDA, did not produce significant modification in gastric juice content and showed increased COX-2 and EGF. BB exerts its gastroprotective activity, possibly, by increasing COX-2 and EGF expression and due to its possible antioxidant property.

Anti-inflammatory effect of α,β-amyrin, a triterpene from Protium heptaphyllum, on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice

To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of α,β-amyrin, a pentacyclic triterpenoid from Protium heptaphyllum, on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice. Acute pancreatitis was induced in Swiss mice by five intraperitoneal injections of cerulein (50μg/kg), at 1h intervals. Mice received α,β-amyrin (10, 30 and 100mg/kg), thalidomide (200mg/kg), or vehicle (3% Tween 80) orally 1h before and 12h after the cerulein challenge. The severity of pancreatitis was evaluated 24h after cerulein by assessing serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and amylase activity, pancreatic myeloperoxidase (MPO), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), as well as by histology. α,β-Amyrin and thalidomide significantly attenuated the cerulein-induced increase in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin-6, lipase, amylase, MPO, and TBARS. Moreover, α,β-amyrin greatly suppressed the pancreatic edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, acinar cell necrosis, and expressions of TNFα and inducible nitric oxide synthase. α,β-Amyrin ameliorates cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis by acting as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent.

Essential oils of the Oleoresins from Protium Heptaphyllum Growing in the Brazilian Southeastern and their Cytotoxicity to Neoplasic Cells Lines

Two different samples of the essential oil resin harvested from two trees of Protium heptaphyllum, growing in the Brazilian southeast seashores, were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Monoterpenes were highly predominant in both compositions of the oils. The fresher sample, harvested from the tree A, showed the predominance of myrcene (35 %), α-pinene (27 %) followed by sabinene (11 %) and β-caryophyllene (7.2 %). Terpinolene (28 %) and p-cymene (16 %) were the largest components in the trunk resin tapped by mechanical hurt-induction from the tree B. Both samples were assayed in vitro for their ability to inhibit the growth of four different of neoplasic cell. The best results were obtained from the terpinolene/p-cymene chemotype, where inhibition of 67 %, 63 % and 59 % of mouse plasmocytoma (SP2/0), neuroblastome (Neuro-2A) and monocytic cell (J774) lineages were achieved, respectively. The growth of normal cell lineage MK2 (monkey kidney epitelial cells) increased about 50 % under treatment with the oils. The effects observed on neoplasic lineages were correlated to the presence of these monoterpenes.

Estrutura horizontal e vertical do componente arbóreo em fase de regeneração natural na mata Santa Luzia, no município de Catende-PE

O estudo foi desenvolvido no fragmento denominado Mata Santa Luzia, situado no Município de Catende, PE, nas coordenadas 8º72'49" S e 35º72'47" W, altitude de 239 m, com os objetivos de avaliar a regeneração natural total de espécies arbóreas no fragmento florestal e verificar a diversidade e estrutura das espécies nessa área. Para a estimativa da regeneração natural das espécies arbóreas no fragmento, foram locadas de forma sistemática 15 subparcelas permanentes de 25 m² (5 x 5 m), equidistantes em 50 m. O nível de inclusão adotado foi de CAP < 15 cm e as medições de altura (h), divididas em três classes, em que a classe 1 contemplou indivíduos com 1,0 < h < 2,0 m, a classe 2 com indivíduos 2,0 < h < 3,0 m e a classe 3 com indivíduos com h > 3,0 m. No fragmento foram amostrados 107 indivíduos vivos, pertencentes a 25 famílias botânicas e 36 táxons. Dessas, 33 foram identificadas em nível de espécie, duas em nível de gênero e uma se apresentou como indeterminada. As cinco espécies com maiores valores para regeneração natural total (RNT) foram assim distribuídas: Rheedia gardneriana Planch. & Triana (9,9%), Cupania racemosa (Vell.) Radlk (7,7%), Brosimum discolor Schott (7,4%), Vismia guianensis (Aubl.) Pers. (6,1%) e Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand (5,9%). Provavelmente, essas espécies no futuro serão as principais responsáveis pela manutenção da estrutura e fisionomia da floresta.

What is more important for invertebrate colonization in a stream with low-quality litter inputs: exposure time or leaf species?

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influences of detritus from the leaves of different species, and of exposure time on invertebrate colonization of leaves in a shaded Cerrado stream. We hypothesized that the exposure time is the main factor that influences the colonization of leaves by invertebrates. We used leaves of five tree species native to the Brazilian Cerrado: Protium heptaphyllum and Protium brasiliense (Burseraceae), Ocotea sp. (Lauraceae), Myrcia guyanensis (Myrtaceae), and Miconia chartacea (Melastomataceae), which are characterized by their toughness and low-nutritional quality. Litter bags, each containing leaves from one species, were placed in a headwater stream and removed after 7, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days. The dominant taxon was Chironomidae, which comprised ca. 52% of all organisms and ca. 20% of the total biomass. The taxonomic richness of colonizing organisms did not vary among the leaf species. However, the density and biomass of the associated organisms varied differently among the kinds of detritus during the course of the incubation. The collector-gatherers and shredders reached higher densities in the detritus that decomposed more rapidly (Ocotea sp. and M. guyanensis), principally in the more advanced stages of colonization. The collector-filterers reached higher densities in the detritus that decomposed more slowly (P. heptaphyllum, P. brasiliense, and M. chartacea), principally in the initial stages of incubation. A cluster analysis divided the detritus samples of different leaf species according to the exposure time (initial phase: up to 7 days; intermediate phase: 7–30 days; advanced phase: 30–120 days), suggesting some succession in invertebrate colonization, with differences in taxon composition (indicator taxa analysis). These results suggest that regardless of the leaf-detritus species, exposure time was the main factor that influenced the colonization process of aquatic invertebrates.

Wood Litter Consumption by three Species ofNasutitermesTermites in an Area of the Atlantic Coastal Forest in Northeastern Brazil

Termites constitute a considerable fraction of the animal biomass in tropical forest, but little quantitative data are available that indicates their importance in the processes of wood decomposition. This study evaluated the participation of Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky) (Isoptera: Termitidae), N. ephratae (Holmgren), and N. macrocephalus (Silvestri) in the consumption of the wood litter in a remnant area of Atlantic Coastal Forest in northeastern Brazil. The populations of this species were quantified in nests and in decomposing tree trunks, while the rate of wood consumption was determined in the laboratory using wood test-blocks of Clitoria fairchildiana Howard (Fabales: Fabaceae), Cecropia sp. (Urticales: Cecropiaceae), and Protium heptaphyllum (Aublet) Marchand (Sapindales: Burseraceae). The abundance of the three species of termites varied from 40.8 to 462.2 individuals/m2. The average dry wood consumption for the three species was 9.4 mg/g of termites (fresh weight)/day, with N. macrocephalus demonstrating the greatest consumption (12.1 mg/g of termite (fresh weight)/day). Wood consumption by the three species of Nasutitermes was estimated to be 66.9 kg of dry wood /ha/year, corresponding to approximately 2.9% of the annual production of wood-litter in the study area. This consumption, together with that of the other 18 exclusively wood-feeders termite species known to occur in the area, indicates the important participation of termites in removing wood-litter within the Atlantic Coastal Forest domain.

Larvicidal activity of 94 extracts from ten plant species of northeastern of Brazil against Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae)

In an effort to find effective and affordable ways to control of Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae), the larvicidal activities of 94 extracts from ten plant species belonging to eight families [Guettarda grazielae and Spermacoce verticillata (Rubiaceae), Coccoloba mollis and Triplaris americana (Polygonaceae), Eschweilera ovata (Lecytidaceae), Merremia aegyptia (Convolvulaceae), Ouratea nitida (Ochnnaceae), Protium heptaphyllum (Burseraceae), Rourea doniana (Connaraceae), and Tovomita brevistaminea (Guttiferae)], widely found in the northeast of Brazil, were initially screened at 250 microg/mL. Nineteen of the 94 extracts from six plant species (C. mollis, G. grazielae, M. aegyptia, R. doniana, S. verticillata, and T. americana) showed significant activity (>75% mortality) against the fourth instar larvae. Some of these extracts showed 100% mosquito larvae mortality, with LD(50) values lower 200 microg/mL. When compared to synthetic insecticide Temephos (LD(50) 8.7 microg/mL), two of them, hexane (LD(50) 12.1 microg/mL) and ethyl acetate (LD(50) 51.6 microg/mL) extracts from stems of R. doniana and G. grazielae, respectively, were the most effective. The isolation and purification of these extracts are in progress and evaluation of these compounds will be needed to identify the active component.

Chemical composition of the essential oils from two subspecies of Protium heptaphyllum

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the volatile constituents from resin of Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand subsp. ulei (Swat) Daly (PHU), and Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand subsp. heptaphyllum (PHH), Burseraceae were performed using GC-MS and GC-FID. The resins were collected around the city of Cruzeiro do Sul, state of Acre, Brazil. Essential oils from the two subspecies were extracted by hydrodistillation with a yield of 8.6% (PHU) and 11.3% (PHH); the main components were terpinolene (42.31%) and p-cymene (39.93%) for subspecies ulei (PHU) and heptaphyllum (PHH), respectively.

Análise estrutural e considerações sobre a dinâmica sucessional de dois fragmentos florestais semideciduais do Jardim Botânico Municipal de Bauru, SP, Brasil

Parâmetros fitossociológicos, como freqüência de classes de altura e de diâmetro, são muito utilizados em inferências sobre sucessão secundária em fitocenoses. Indivíduos abustivo-arbóreos com no mínimo 1,5 m de altura e fuste a 1,3 m, foram amostrados em 2.600 m² de floresta estacional semidecidual do Jardim Botânico Municipal de Bauru (JBMB). Informações sobre as freqüências de classes de diâmetro das cinco espécies com maior índice de valor de importância (Ocotea pulchella, Protium heptaphyllum, Copaifera langsdorffii, Platypodium elegans e Trichilia pallida) e a classificação sucessional das populações mais numerosas também foram analisadas para inferências sobre as características sucessionais da comunidade estudada. As freqüências de classes de diâmetro de Vochysia tucanorum, espécie típica de savana, também foi estudada. As informações obtidas permitiram considerar que a floresta do JBMB encontra-se em estádio sucessional intermediário, e que, embora tenha sofrido com a ação do fogo no passado, algumas dessas populações estão conseguindo renovar-se.

Estrutura de um fragmento florestal no Engenho Humaitá, Catende, Pernambuco, Brasil

Avaliou-se, neste trabalho, a estrutura de um fragmento florestal antropizado denominado Mata das Galinhas, Engenho Humaitá, Catende, Pernambuco, e se utilizaram, para avaliar a composição florística e a estrutura fitossociológica, 14 parcelas de 10 x 25 m a fim de amostrar os indivíduos arbóreos com circunferência a 1,30 m do solo (CAP) ≥ 10 cm. Foram estimados, então, densidade, frequência e dominância e valor de importância (VI) e o índice de Shannon, além de registrados 438 indivíduos pertencentes a 63 espécies, 45 gêneros e 29 famílias. As famílias de maior importância foram Mimosaceae, Moraceae, Anacardiaceae e Lecythidaceae e as espécies com maiores valores de VI, foram Brosimum discolor, Parkia pendula, Eschweilera ovata, Thyrsodium spruceanum, Tapirira guianensis, Protium heptaphyllum, Casearia arborea, Helicostylis tomentosa, Dialium guianense, Schefflera morototoni, Himatanthus phagedaenicus e Cupania racemosa. Quando observado isoladamente, conclui-se que o fragmento estudado possui pouca relevância; entretanto, se considerado conjuntamente com outros fragmentos da área, sua diversidade é significativa o que justificaria esforços para sua conservação e manejo.

Impactos do fogo sobre o componente arbustivo-arbóreo de um remanescente de Floresta Ombrófila Aberta, Areia, Estado da Paraíba

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of fire on the tree-shrub component in an ombrophilous forest fragment in Areia, state of Paraíba, Brazil. Forty parcels were plotted in two environments: intact forest (Environment I) and burned forest (Environment II). The vegetation structure was evaluated by conventional parameters, and the difference in the number of shoots of individuals between the environments was evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Also calculated were the index of diversity, equability and the similarity between the environments. We sampled 1,960 individuals, belonging to 22 families, 26 genera and 35 species. In Environment I, Protium heptaphyllum, Cupania oblongifolia and Brosimum guianense were the most important and abundant species, while the dead individuals were the majority in Environment II. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed there were significant differences between the intact and burned environments. The indices of diversity and the equability of Environment I were greater than those found in Environment II. Nevertheless, the two environments remain similar according to the Jaccard index. The results showed that fire does not appear to change the composition of species; however, it affected the structure of the community, and increased significantly the number of shoots, indicating the death of the canopy in several individuals

Estrutura fitossociológica de uma área de cerradão em Canarana, Estado do Mato Grosso, Brasil

Facing the intense fragmentation and the lack of studies in cerrado area, the present work shows a tree community structure of part of this phytophysiognomy in the Planalto Central region. All wood individuals that showed a diameter at ground level ≥ 5 cm were demarcated in ten plots of 20 x 50 m, composing a sample area of one hectare. A number of 2,496 individuals were registered, distributed in 95 species. The Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand species showed higher value of importance in the community, mainly due to its high density. The Shannon diversity (3.85) and the Pielou equability (0.84) indices were considered high and similar to others found in areas close to this study.