Seasonal Semideciduous Forest Research Articles

Flora of Espírito Santo: Humiriaceae

Abstract Belonging to Malpighiales, Humiriaceae has about 65 species in eight genera, distributed almost exclusively in the Neotropics, occurring from southern Brazil to Central America. In Brazil, 35 species have been recorded (ca. 54% of the family’s diversity), wherein the greatest diversity is found in the Amazon (27 spp.), Atlantic Forest (9 spp.) and Cerrado (6 spp.) domains. This work is part of the “Flora do Espírito Santo” project, which aims to contribute to the knowledge of the state’s floristic diversity. Field expeditions were carried out from January/2019 to March/2020. Humiriaceae, in the state of Espírito Santo, is represented by six species distributed in four genera: Humiria, Humiriastrum, Sacoglottis and Vantanea. Among the registered genera, Vantanea is the most diversified, with three species. In the dense rain forest, all Humiriaceae species recorded here were found, followed by pioneer formations of restingas, with four species and seasonal semideciduous forest, with one species. The main morphological characters that assist in the delimitation of Humiriaceae species in Espírito Santo, are androecium characteristics, such as length (homodynamous or heterodynamous), number of stamens and the number of their series, as well as anther morphology.

Flora of Ceará, Brazil: Rhamnaceae

Abstract We present the floristic-taxonomic and distribution survey of the family Rhamnaceae as part of the “Flora of Ceará: knowing to conserve” project. The survey was based on the analysis of morphological characters of specimens gathered during field expeditions and from herbaria collections, as well as the specialized literature. Rhamnaceae is represented by ten species in Ceará State belonging to five genera: Colubrina (2), Crumenaria (1), Gouania (3), Rhamnidium (1), and Sarcomphalus (3). The species were encountered in various phytophysiognomies, but especially occur in Seasonal Semideciduous Forests (Mata Seca) and the Coastal Zone Vegetation Complex (Lowland Semideciduous Forest). The species with the highest number of records was Sarcomphalus joazeiro, occurring in 62 municipalities. Seven species were encountered in 14 legally protected conservation areas in Ceará. Colubrina cordifolia, Rhamnidium molle, and Crumenaria decumbens occur exclusively in the Caatinga domain, with the first two being endemic to northeastern Brazil. Identification keys, morphological descriptions, comments on distributions, ecology, phenology, and uses of the species are provided, as well as maps and illustrations.

Flora of Espírito Santo: Inga (Fabaceae, Mimosoid clade)

Abstract This study aims to assess the diversity of Inga in the state of Espírito Santo (ES), in order to establish diagnostic characters and circumscription of the species through a detailed analysis of botanical collections. This analysis was based on morphological analysis of specimens collected in the ES and deposited in herbarium collections. The study provides identification keys, descriptions, illustrations, taxonomic comments, geographic distributions, distribution patterns, and phenology data for the species. Twenty-six taxa of Inga were recognized in ES. Of these, 14 (52%) are endemic to Brazil, one of which, Inga teresensis, is restricted to ES. Species of Inga occur predominantly in dense ombrophilous forest (23 taxa), followed by seasonal semideciduous forest (16 taxa), open ombrophilous forest (nine taxa), and pioneer formations (eight taxa). Among dense ombrophilous forests, a higher diversity of Inga species was present in slope forests (22 taxa) than tabuleiro forests (15 taxa). Inga aptera, I. cabelo, I. maritima, I. platyptera, and I. unica are listed as threatened. The distribution of four taxa, I. aptera, I. ciliata subsp. ciliata, I. cylindrica, and I. subnuda var. luschnatiana was extended to ES.

Vascular epiphytes of the Serra do Relógio: the surprising richness of the seasonal forests in the mountains of Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil

Abstract Studies conducted on vascular epiphytes in Minas Gerais have revealed high richness in the seasonal semi-deciduous forests (SSF) in comparison with those of other Brazilian states. This study aimed to present a vascular epiphyte checklist of the Serra do Relógio (SR) in the Atlantic Forest of Minas Gerais, in order to analyze the similarity between two areas in different altitudes, as well as to discuss the high richness recorded for this synusia in the SSFs of this state. The survey was performed in two conservation units (CUs) apart from each other approximately 6 km and with elevations varying between ~500 and 1,434 m. The data were obtained from published articles and fieldwork performed between the years 2016 and 2019. We recorded 158 species distributed in 76 genera and 22 families. This richness is greater than those found in some ombrophilous forests, which was an unexpected result due to the high moisture of this phytophysionomy. Although approximately 66% of the species found in the SR are anemochoric and the compared CUs are geographically close, the similarity was only 22%, suggesting that the difference in altitude between the areas and the history of use can impose filters that influence the floristic composition of each one area. These results highlight the importance of preserving the forest remnants in Brazil and creating and maintain CUs to protect them.

Selective Logging that Occurred Decades Ago is Still Impacting Aboveground Biomass and Tree Assemblage Structure in Brazilian Semi-Deciduous Seasonal Atlantic Forest Fragments

Selective Logging that Occurred Decades Ago is Still Impacting Aboveground Biomass and Tree Assemblage Structure in Brazilian Semi-Deciduous Seasonal Atlantic Forest Fragments

EFEITOS DO FOGO NA REGENERAÇÃO NATURAL EM FLORESTA ESTACIONAL SEMIDECIDUAL

ABSTRACT Forest fire is considered a relevant environmental and ecological issue worldwide, as it causes population, ecosystem, and economic impacts, making monitoring and additional research necessary to understand post-fire forest recovery. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the changes that occurred in the natural regeneration stratum in a fragment of Atlantic Forest in the municipality of Viçosa (MG), with and without the occurrence of fire. The phytosociological parameters and the functional diversity of the plant community were evaluated through 20 plots, 10 in the burnt area and 10 in the unburnt area, in 2018 and 2019, to follow the natural regeneration. There were collected, in the burnt and unburnt areas, respectively, 113 and 126 individuals, 23 and 16 species, and 13 and 9 botanical families. Piper sp.1, showed the highest values for the parameters: relative density, absolute frequency, and cover value, occurring in 100% of the plots. Areas with occurrence of fire present higher species richness. Species of the genus Piper occur frequently in areas of Semideciduous Seasonal Forest with signs of disturbance. The highest Shannon diversity and Pielou equitability indexes were found in the burnt area. The Jaccard index and the cluster analysis confirm the formation of groups with low similarity, showing floristic heterogeneity between the two areas, and the disturbance caused by fire is considered an important aspect for this floristic differentiation to occur. Therefore, the occurrence of forest fire in areas of Atlantic Forest increased the diversity values of species, with an increase in the equitability index, showing low floristic similarity between burnt and unburnt areas.

Angiosperm diversity in a Lowland Semideciduous Seasonal Forest in Pernambuco State, Brazil

Abstract: Angiosperm species growing in a fragment of Lowland Semideciduous Seasonal Forest in the Tapacurá Ecological Station (TES) in Pernambuco State (Brazil) were surveyed. Botanical collections to compose a species list were undertaken and these species identified by comparisons with specimens deposited in the HST, PEUFR and IPA herbaria, in addition to online database queries. A total of 479 species were identified, belonging to 81 families and 285 genera. The families with the largest numbers of species were Fabaceae (68), Rubiaceae (25), Malvaceae (20), Myrtaceae (20), Cyperaceae (19), Poaceae (19), Bromeliaceae (18), Euphorbiaceae (17), Asteraceae (16), and Sapindaceae (14), which together accounted for 49.27% of the total number of species. Great similarity was observed between our results and surveys of other lowland forests in northeastern Brazil, with the families Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Myrtaceae having the greatest species richness. This study added 44 new occurrences for Pernambuco State, demonstrating the richness and abundance of TES taxa and the importance of their conservation to the regional flora.

Seasonality and forest edge as drivers of Tradescantia zebrina Hort. ex Bosse invasion in the Atlantic Forest.

As a result of biodiversity and ecosystem service losses associated with biological invasions, there has been growing interest in basic and applied research on invasive species aiming to improve management strategies. Tradescantia zebrina is a herbaceous species increasingly reported as invasive in the understory of disturbed forest ecosystems. In this study, we assess the effect of spatial and seasonal variation on biological attributes of this species in the Atlantic Forest. To this end, we measured attributes of T. zebrina associated with plant growth and stress in the four seasons at the forest edge and in the forest interior of invaded sites in the Iguaçu National Park, Southern Brazil. The invasive plant had higher growth at the forest edge than in the forest interior and lower leaf asymmetry and herbivory in the winter than in the summer. Our findings suggest that the forest edge environment favours the growth of T. zebrina. This invasive species is highly competitive in the understory of semi-deciduous seasonal forests all over the year. Our study contributes to the management of T. zebrina by showing that the summer is the best season for controlling this species.

Checklist of polypores (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota) reveals seventeen new records in Brazilian Atlantic Forest fragments at the Poços de Caldas Plateau, Minas Gerais

Abstract This is the first survey of macrofungi carried out at the Poços de Caldas Plateau, Minas Gerais, Brazil, an area of high biological importance according to the Ministry of Environment. The survey of polypores was performed monthly, from June/2018 to May/2019 in ten transects (200 m² each) distributed in fragments of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, a montane seasonal semideciduous forest. Two orders, 8 families, 21 genera, and 23 species were identified, of which one is a new record for Brazil, Tropicoporus drechsleri, and 16 are new records for the state of Minas Gerais. A list of species is included in this study, as well as illustrations for the new records, a key for taxonomic identification, and remarks on the distribution of the recorded species. The study also includes annotations about substrate, taxonomy discussion, and a full description of the new record for the country.

ESTIMATIVA DE VOLUME DE MADEIRA POR USO DE VARREDURA A LASER TERRESTRE: MÉTODO EM FLORESTAS SECUNDÁRIAS HIPERDIVERSAS

ABSTRACT High accuracy in timber volume estimation in tropical forests is required to support sustainable management. Terrestrial laser scanners (TLS) can provide high-quality estimates from tree structural variables. We compared stem variable estimations obtained by TLS and traditional methods at tree level and adjusted volume equations using data of a secondary seasonal semideciduous forest (Atlantic Forest). We also discuss the feasibility of TLS in hyperdiverse and secondary forest fragments. Traditional measurements (Method I) and TLS-based measurements (Method II) were performed on 29 trees belonging to 10 species. Volume equations based on the Schumacher and Hall (SH) and Spurr models were generated. DBH (diameter at breast height) was equal for both methods. Total height (TH) was overestimated by Method II, and commercial height (CH) showed a low correlation between the two methods. The adjusted volumetric equations were different for both methods, and those based on the SH volume model showed the best fit. Our results lead us to infer that in hyperdiverse secondary forests, tree structural variables should be obtained via TLS. However, attention should be given to the occlusion of target trees by the regenerating understory and to height estimates, which can be biased by the crown characteristics of the dominant species.

Forest structural analysis of a seasonal semideciduous area in the northeast Brazil

As a prominent aspect of forest fragmentation, arboreal individuals’ diameter and height structure are impaired. The forest structure allows identifying each population’s behavior and habit and collects information on growth and survival that assists in establishing and managing conservation strategies. This work aimed to perform the diametric and height distribution of an adult tree community and the five highlighted species of the area located in the Northeast Brazil. We implanted 20 permanent plots with 250 m² and measured all arboreal individuals sampled with a circumference at breast height (CBH) ≥ 15 cm in addition to heights. The tree community presented a graph of the negative exponential type in the diametric distribution and a higher concentration in the 6-8 m in height median class, a typical pattern found in remnants of Atlantic Forest. Guapira nitida, Manilkara sp., Byrsonima crassifolia, and Sloanea obtusifolia presented the same pattern as the community due to their ecological attributes as succession group and dispersion syndrome. These data are compatible with the ecological succession process of Brazilian’s northeast Seasonal Semideciduous Forest. Moreover, the species Buchenavia tetraphylla diverged because of its ecological characteristics that do not allow new individuals to develop in the study area. The fragment was classified according to CONAMA Resolution n°. 31 as secondary vegetation in the medium regeneration stage. The analyzed remnant is still in the regeneration process, resulting from the disturbances caused. The most important species of the fragment still present young individuals, representing young communities with potential for establishment.

Dinâmica populacional e sazonalidade de Euspilotus (Hesperosaprinus) azureus Sahlberg (Coleoptera: Histeridae: Saprininae)

ABSTRACT The effect of climatic conditions on the structure of populations has been perceived for different orders of insects and families of beetles. Here we described the population dynamics of Euspilotus azureus (Sahlberg, 1823) and determined its relationship with climatic variables. The specimens were collected monthly for one year in an area of Seasonal Semideciduous Forest, in Viçosa, Brazil. The seasonality of the population and of sexes was estimated through the absolute frequency of occurrence (AF) and the percentage frequency of occurrence (FO%) of the population and each sex, which were determined monthly. To test whether the changes in monthly AF of the population and of each sex are correlated with climatic variables, Spearman correlation tests were performed. To identify whether there are temporal fluctuations in the sex ratio, considering months and seasons, and within each season, we performed Chi-square tests. A total of 3,126 individuals (1,009 females and 2,117 males) were collected. The population had the highest abundance in spring and summer, and the lowest in autumn and winter. The highest AF and FO were found in December and January, and the lowest in June and July. The sex ratio of the population did not differ in the months of the year, but in the spring there was a marked predominance of males. For E. azureus, the temporal fluctuation in abundance of the population and in the sex ratio is related to the climatic variables of maximum temperature, humidity, and precipitation. Climatic variables, especially the temperature, provided a greater abundance of the population in the hottest and rainiest periods of the year for inducing reproductive activity and altering the population’s sex ratio.

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION OF RANCHO PIRAJUSSARA, DESCALVADO, SP

Riparian area is the last and the best protection that a river can have because it prevents the arrival of physical, chemical, and biological pollutants in the body of water. After a fire in a riparian forest that is in a transition between the seasonal semi-deciduous forest and the savanna, its restoration processes began. The area was taken over by 3 m high colonial grass. Some trees resisted the fire and served as perches for birds. We planted 48 species of 28 families with three basic objectives, fruits for human consumption, shelter and food for fauna and other uses (medicinal and lumber). The cost of implementation was US $ 6,104.21 per hectare. The restoration was good due to the low percentage of failure (33.27%), despite the great drought that occurred at the time of implantation. The average height of the trees was over 2 m at four years.

Reciprocal intercompatibility between Byrsonima Rich. exKunth species (Malpighiaceae), in an urban ecotonal fragment of Semi-Deciduous Seasonal Forest and Cerrado

Byrsonima species present floral monomorphism and sharing visitor/pollinator guild. These traits suggest the hypothesis evaluation of reciprocal inter-incompatibility between two syntopic Byrsonima species: B. pachyphylla and B. crassifolia. Pollen tube growth with similar behavior was observed in the stigmatic surface, pistil canal, ovary and micropylar channel to both species. In addition, partial self-incompatibility in self-pollination with greater fruiting in autogamy was observed. Cross-pollination and self-pollination coexist, and reciprocal intercompatibility occurs. Prezygotic isolation mechanisms are unlikely by the absence of abnormal pollen tubes, higher fruiting production and absence of hybrids in the study site. Las especies de Byrsonima presentan monomorfismo floral y comparten gremio de visitantes/polinizadores. Estos rasgos sugieren la evaluación de hipótesis de interincompatibilidad recíproca entre dos especies sintópicas de Byrsonima: B. pachyphylla y B. crassifolia. Se observó el crecimiento del tubo polínico con comportamiento similar en la superficie estigmática, canal del pistilo, ovario y canal micropilar de ambas especies. Además, se describió la autoincompatibilidad parcial en la autopolinización con mayor fructificación en la autogamia. La polinización cruzada y la autopolinización coexisten y se produce una intercompatibilidad recíproca. Los mecanismos de aislamiento precigóticos son improbables por la ausencia de tubos polínicos anormales, producción de frutos y ausencia de híbridos en la área de estudio.

Atlantic Forest meeting Cerrado: floristic, structure, and species distribution of an ecotonal tree community

We evaluated the floristic and structural composition of a tree community in an ecotone between Cerrado (cerradão) and Atlantic Forest (seasonal semideciduous forest) domains located in Porto Ferreira State Park (PFSP), southeastern Brazil. We compared the floristic relationships of this ecotone with those of previous surveys carried out on the same vegetation types and checked the species distribution among the Brazilian biomes. We sampled all living trees with PBH>10 cm in 64 10x10 m plots (0.64 ha), totaling 1,755 individuals belonging to 101 species and 37 families. The richest families were Myrtaceae (13 spp.) and Fabaceae (11 spp.), and Siparuna guianensis was the most abundant species (188 individuals). We reported two threatened species. A great number of species are widely distributed, occurring in different Brazilian biomes. Floristic similarity values were low among the selected studies, but our sampled community clustered with communities of cerradão and ecotone areas of previous surveys. Our results corroborate that ecotonal areas have great tree diversity and the predominance of widely distributed species. This fact, combined with the vegetation thickening verified through historical photographs, reinforces that the study area belongs to an under-changing ecotone.

Medium-sized and large mammals of the Floresta da Cicuta Area of Relevant Ecological Interest, a protected area in southeastern Brazil

The Atlantic Forest is one of the most biodiverse biomes in the world and has been severely degraded and fragmented, with the extirpation of most medium-sized and large vertebrates from the forest remnants. Here we present the results of a survey of medium-sized and large mammals in an area of protected seasonal semideciduous forest, the Floresta da Cicuta Area of Relevant Ecological Interest (ARIE-FC), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, part the Atlantic Forest biome. We used camera traps (2,257 camera days) and direct observations over a 23-month period. We recorded 19 species (including two domestic species), seven of which are classified as at-risk, such as Leopardus guttulus (Hensel, 1872), Sylvilagus tapetillus Thomas, 1913, Alouatta clamitans Cabrera, 1940, and Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815). A diverse terrestrial mammal assemblage in the ARIE-FC reinforces the importance of small forest fragments for the conservation of biodiversity in human-modified landscapes of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Centers of richness and endemism of Lauraceae in the Espinhaço Range, Brazil

Our study is the most comprehensive checklist of the species of Lauraceae in the Espinhaço Range, including 99 species that belong to 13 genera. This number of species represents about 22% of the total estimated in Brazil and the endemism 8%. Thirty-four endemic species are identified, of which 15 are potential new taxa to be yet described, and 15 are categorized as micro-endemic. The Espinhaço Range presents four centers of richness and endemism of Lauraceae: (i) Serra do Cipó, (ii) South Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais (Quadrilátero Ferrífero), (iii) Chapada Diamantina, and (iv) the Diamantina Plateau. There is a high sharing of species between South Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais and Serra do Cipó, and South Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais, Serra do Cipó, and the Diamantina Plateau. A geographical congruence between the centers of species richness and species endemism is found, and both Serra do Cipó and Chapada Diamantina present the highest levels of endemism. The predominant vegetation type associated with the centers of species richness and endemism is the seasonal semideciduous forest, except in the Diamantina Plateau region that is mostly associated with the cerrado. In the Espinhaço Range, the seasonal semideciduous forest is the richest vegetation type throughout the latitudinal variation of the range. The high number of species widely distributed in different vegetation types highlights the association among the cerrado, campo rupestre, and seasonal semideciduous forest.

Genetic diversity of reintroduced tree populations of Casearia sylvestris in Atlantic forest restoration sites

The restoration projects in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest have shown more concern about genetic variability in floristic diversity in the last years. To create effective conservation policies, we need extensive knowledge on structures and patterns of genetic variation between natural populations and within them. We characterized the genetic population of Casearia sylvestris Swartz in an area under forest restoration processes (Iracemápolis, São Paulo) established between 1988 and 1990, and compared it to a natural remnant of semi-deciduous seasonal forest (Caetetus, São Paulo). The distance between locations is ∼ 210 km. One hundred twenty-eight adult plants were collected, 64 individuals in the native forest remnant and 64 in the restored fragment. The genetic data were generated by the screening of six AFLP primers combinations with a total of 296 loci for each population. The forest restoration site presented overall higher levels of genetic diversity compared to the natural remnant area. The most likely number of genetic clusters found was three (K = 3). The genetic variation was higher within populations, either in the natural or restored site, than between populations. Farther, 25 candidate outlier loci were selected and separated into two groups giving support to future research with species adaptation in these different environments. Our results show that evaluation of restored tree populations of C. sylvestris is crucial to monitoring long-term restoration programs and understand if they persist over time. We hope that our results aim at species management and the establishment of others restoration projects.

New record of Allamanda blanchetti Kunth (Apocynaceae) for the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

This study report the first record of Allamanda blanchetii Kunth in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil. This species was collected from an upland forest in Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forest. This occurrence adds new information about the distribution of this species and expands its range to Brazil, which is important for its conservation. We provide taxonomic information, distribution maps, conservation status assessment, photograps, and an identification key for the Allamanda L. species in the Atlantic Forest.

Hornschuchia mellosilvae (Annonaceae) a new species endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

The Atlantic Forest is a biodiversity hotspot that includes different types of phytophysiognomies, mainly forests. Hornschuchia, Annonaceae, is one of its endemic genera. Eight Hornschuchia species are found in the tropical moist forest, three of them both occurring in tropical moist forest and tabuleiro forest, a semideciduous seasonal forest, one occurs in the coastal semideciduous seasonal forest and two inhabit the semideciduous seasonal forest and deciduous seasonal forest far from the coast in Bahia. Here we describe the twelfth species of Hornschuchia, which occurs in the Bahian semideciduous seasonal forest, and present a morphological description, illustration, distribution map and assessment of its conservation status.