Southern Brazilian Highlands Research Articles

Influence of plant habitat types and the presence of fish predators on macroinvertebrate assemblages in southern Brazilian highland wetlands

Influence of plant habitat types and the presence of fish predators on macroinvertebrate assemblages in southern Brazilian highland wetlands

Raleio de cachos próximo ao ‘véraison’ nas variedades ‘Montepulciano’ e ‘Cabernet Franc’ em região de elevada altitude do sul do Brasil

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of pre- and post-veraison cluster thinning on the physicochemical characteristics of Montepulciano and Cabernet Franc grape varieties grown in regions 900 m above sea level (ASL) in Santa Catarina, southern region of Brazil. The experiment was conducted in two commercial vineyards, Montepulciano vineyard located at 28o12'58''S, 50o06'45''W, 1,185 m ASL during the 2007, 2008 and 2009 vintages; and Cabernet Franc vineyard located at 28°15'20S, 49°56'60W, 1,284 m ASL, during the 2010 and 2011 vintages. Treatments consisted on cluster thinning at three distinct moments for both varieties: during veraison, about 15 days pre-veraison and 15 days post-veraison. For Montepulciano, when cluster thinning is performed post-veraison, there is a reduction in cluster mass and a slight reduction on the acidity of grapes. For Cabernet Franc, when cluster thinning is performed during veraison, there is an increase in total soluble solids of grapes. In general, cluster thinning is recommended two weeks pre- or post-veraison for Montepulciano and Cabernet Franc wine grapes produced in southern Brazilian highlands.

Rethinking households, communities and status in the southern Brazilian highlands

Disparities in domestic architecture are a potential correlate of emergent status inequality between households. In the southern Brazilian highlands, pit house settlements exhibit significant variations in structure size and site layout. Particularly relevant are the oversized structures whose function has been debated but remained unresolved. Here, I present data from Baggio 1, a large site including an oversized structure (cal CE 1365–1790). I show how the oversized pit house emerged earlier and was distinguished not only by its dimensions, but also by its privileged hilltop position and practices of floor renewal. When the settlement expanded with the addition of smaller pits, some of which were small houses, whereas others were specialized facilities, the precinct around the oversized structure continued to be the focus of activities of the settlement. Based on ethnography of the Jê peoples of Brazil and cross-cultural relationships between household size and status, I argue that the dwellers of the oversized pit house could have derived a higher status from their more numerous kin and connection to the founders of the site. Finally, the appearance of oversized pit houses must be understood in a broader context of landscape and social transformations in southern Brazil after the turn of the second millennium AD, which was also reflected in other material signs of emergent status inequalities.

Simple does not mean poor: grasslands and forests harbor similar ant species richness and distinct composition in highlands of southern Brazil

Abstract: Several studies addressed ant communities in the dense Atlantic Forest that runs along the Brazilian coast. However, comparatively little is known about the mixed forests and grasslands that occur in the southern range of the Atlantic Forest domain. In this study we performed the first standardized assessment of ants in the forest-grassland mosaic found in the highlands of the state of Santa Catarina. We aimed to investigate and compare ant richness and composition between mixed forests and grasslands in the main mountain range of south Brazil. Ants were collected in two years with ground pitfalls, tree pitfalls and litter samples. Sixty ant species were recorded, resulting in 22 new records for "Planalto Serrano" region and three for the state of Santa Catarina: Eurhopalothrix depressa, Pheidole radoszkowskii and Wasmannia williamsoni. There was significant dissimilarity in ant species composition between grasslands and forests, but no difference in ant species richness, even considering the higher number of strata in mixed forests. Similar richness and low number of arboreal species suggest that this ant community is structured similarly to temperate ones. Both habitats presented a large proportion of exclusive species. The fact that species composition between grassland and forest areas differed, coupled with the similarity in species richness between habitats and the record of new ant species for the region, calls for strong conservation efforts in grasslands of southern Brazil, which still are little protected by conservation areas.

Endemic plants from the Southern Brazilian Highland Grasslands

Abstract The flora of the subtropical highland grasslands in Southern Brazil, locally known as Campos de Cima da Serra, is within the Atlantic Forest hotspot, and has being highlighted by its richness, having around 25% of endemic plants. Those formations require specific studies to estimate its species richness and to protect its natural resources. This study aimed to map and to analyze the distribution of endemic taxa from these grasslands based on available herbarium collections databases as sources for highlighting important taxonomic groups for future studies. We verified how much of those endemic taxa are inside protected areas, and recognized the most important taxa and areas for future studies. All the data about each endemic taxon was obtained through visiting herbaria, online databases, collecting expeditions and published references. Distribution maps for endemic species were prepared. As the main result, we describe and map the distribution of the endemic flora of this species rich vegetation formation and highlight the threatened taxa as priority for future taxonomic and conservation studies. Our results also point out the central-west of Santa Catarina and central Paraná states as priority areas for future studies considering its high diversity of taxa.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Vriesea reitzii (Bromeliaceae), a species from the Southern Brazilian Highlands.

The Southern Brazilian Highlands are composed by a mosaic of Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (MOF) and grassland formations, an interesting landscape for the study of population structure. We analyzed the genetic diversity within and among populations of the MOF-endemic bromeliad Vriesea reitzii by genotyping seven nuclear microsatellite loci in 187 individuals from six populations. We characterized levels of genetic diversity and assessed the genetic structure among populations. Vriesea reitzii populations showed high levels of genetic variation (number of alleles 28 - 43, allelic richness 3.589 - 5.531) and moderate levels of genetic differentiation (F ST = 0.123, R ST = 0.096). The high levels of genetic diversity may be explained by species life-history traits, such as habit and mating system. The moderate structure may be a product of the combination of ancient and contemporary gene flow, resulting from the expansion of the forest in the Holocene, and/or due to facilitated dispersal mediated by the MOF’s mosaic landscape. The genetic results indicated no imminent threat to this bromeliad. However, the species is highly associated with the MOF, putting landscape conservation at the center of conservation efforts for the species’ maintenance.

Effect of tree plantations on the functional composition of Odonata species in the highlands of southern Brazil

Changes in biodiversity have mainly been assessed using taxonomical diversity indices. Although these approaches contribute to the scientific understanding of species richness and composition patterns, trait-based metrics may be more useful for detecting responses to land use change. We used odonates as a model system to compare traits composition in mixed ombrophilous forest (MOF) and tree plantations: exotic species (Pinus sp.) and native species (Araucaria angustifolia). Our goal was to understand and compare how each vegetation type affects the selection of species traits, and which factors are responsible for the presence of the species in the environment. We recorded 36 Odonata species distributed across 14 functional groups. The functional composition varied between MOF and exotic tree plantations and was similar between these two habitats and native tree plantations. Native forest favoured specialist traits. Our results suggest that the conversion of MOF to tree plantations, especially exotic ones, results in a shift to less specialized Odonata communities with altered functional group composition. This result highlights the negative impact associated with the conversion of native forests into exotic plantations. Our results show that odonates with specialist traits are limited to natural forest sites, which makes the conservation of such areas crucial.

Abscisic acid treatment to avoid late spring frosts damage during ‘Chardonnay’ vines budbreak

The production of early budbreak Vitis vinifera L. cultivars in southern Brazilian highlands has been limited by the occurrence of late spring frosts. This study aimed to evaluate the abscisic acid (ABA) application on different dates to delay 'Chardonnay' vines budbreak, avoiding periods of greatest probability of frost occurrence. Experiments were carried out in a commercial vineyard, in Sao Joaquim, Santa Catarina, Brazil, at 1,270 m a.s.l., 1,270 m altitude, 28°14'51”S, 49°57'42”W, in two cycles. Five ABA concentrations were adopted on each cycle, ranging from 0 to 2000 mg L-1 and applications were made on the traditional date of pruning, which in this area represents the time when budbreak starts on shoots' apical buds, and two anticipated dates up to thirty days from this last. ABA was incorporated into lanolin and the resulting ointment was applied on the top of pruned shoots. On 2012/2013 cycle, vines treated 22 days before traditional date of pruning (DBP) sprouted in 29 days after treatment (DAT), while those treated on traditional pruning date sprouted in 18 DAT. The maximum delay observed with ABA comparing to control was four days. Treatments applied 30 DBP on 2013/2014 cycle resulted in sprouting in 37 DAT, while treatments applied on traditional pruning date, in 15 DAT. Control vines sprouted in 25 DAT and those treated with 2000 mg L-1 ABA in 28 DAT, delaying budbreak by three days. The latest pruning date and the highest ABA concentration (2000 mg L-1) presented better effect on vine budbreak delay. Changes were in general more expressively caused by the change in application dates. There were no problems with non-broken buds and the production was only slightly changed by ABA treatments. ABA application through this methodology was little effective on delaying grapevines budbreak and is not recommended for commercial use.

MOIETIES AND MORTUARY MOUNDS: DUALISM AT A MOUND AND ENCLOSURE COMPLEX IN THE SOUTHERN BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS

Excavations at Abreu Garcia provide a detailed case study of a mound and enclosure mortuary complex used by the southern proto-Jê in the southern Brazilian highlands. The recovery of 16 secondary cremation deposits within a single mound allows an in-depth discussion of spatial aspects of mortuary practices. A spatial division in the placement of the interments adds another level of duality to the mortuary landscape, which comprises: (1) paired mound and enclosures, (2) twin mounds within a mound and enclosure, and (3) the dual division in the mound interior. The multiple levels of nested asymmetric dualism evoke similarities to the moiety system that characterizes modern southern Jê groups, highlighting both the opposition and the complementarity of the social system. The findings offer deeper insight into fundamental aspects of southern proto-Jê social organization, including the dual nature of the community, the manifestation of social structure in the landscape, and its incorporation into mortuary ritual. The results have implications for research design and developing appropriate methodologies to answer culture-specific questions. Furthermore, the parallels among archaeology, ethnohistory, and ethnography enable an understanding of the foundation of modern descendent groups and an assessment of the continuity in indigenous culture beyond European contact.

Total polyphenols contents in different grapevine varieties in highlands of southern brazil

Phenolic compounds are one of the main parameters of wine quality and contribute to the organoleptic characteristics, particularly color, astringency and body. In the highlands of southern Brazil, low temperatures and high accumulation of global solar radiation favor the synthesis of total polyphenols in grapes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the concentration of total polyphenols of 10 white varieties and 13 red varieties produced in high altitude regions of southern Brazil. The vineyard is located in the Experimental Station of Santa Catarina State Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Agency (EPAGRI), in the city of Sao Joaquim (28° 16′ 30″S, 49° 56′ 09″W, Altitude 1,400 m), the evaluations occurred in 2015/2016 growing season. The content of total polyphenols was determined as proposed by Singleton & Rossi (1965), using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, with spectrophotometer readings. Polyphenol content ranged from 283.56 to 1,387.31 mg/L for white varieties, the varieties with the highest concentrations were Greco di Tufo (1,378.31 mg/L), Trebbiano Toscano (995.59 mg/L) and Ribola Gialla (737.48 mg/L). For the red varieties, the total polyphenol content ranged from 523.87 to 4,929.57 mg/L, Ancellotta (4,929.57 mg/L), Uva di Troia (2,722.27 mg/L) and Croatina (2,410 mg/L) stood out for presenting the highest levels.

First report of grapevine yellows phytoplasma in viticultural areas of the South Brazil

The highlands of Southern Brazil are the most important grapes and wine production region of the country. Diseases are of special concern in viticulture as they are responsible for important losses in yield and quality. Samples from grapevine plants showing yellows symptoms in vineyards of this region were collected and analyzed by nested-PCR. Phytoplasma detected were then classified by in silico PCR/RFLP and phylogenetic analysis. Six out of fifteen symptomatic plants were positive for phytoplasma identified as belonging to the 16SrIII-J subgroup. This is the first report of grapevine yellows association with phytoplasma presence in the of South Brazil.

Complexidade e Ocupação do Planalto Sul-Brasileiro: Um olhar a partir de São José do Cerrito, Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil.

A Arqueologia do Planalto Sul Brasileiro tem tido uma onda de novos trabalhos e novas abordagens ao longo dos últimos vinte anos, novas propostase novos enfoques tem permitido rediscutir antigos paradigmas, modelos interpretativos e a compreensão dos fenômenos identificados. Procurou-se aqui, discutir, parte desses modelos a partir de dois enfoques: primeiro uma revisão dos trabalhos já produzidos e por outra a retomada das pesquisas na Área Arqueológicade São José do Cerrito, SC. A partir dessa abordagem, foi possível lançar novas luzes sobre a discussão de emergência de complexidade entre as populações Jê meridionais.

Alternative stable states and the sustainability of forests, grasslands, and agriculture

Endangered forest–grassland mosaics interspersed with expanding agriculture and silviculture occur across many parts of the world, including the southern Brazilian highlands. This natural mosaic ecosystem is thought to reflect alternative stable states driven by threshold responses of recruitment to fire and moisture regimes. The role of adaptive human behavior in such systems remains understudied, despite its pervasiveness and the fact that such ecosystems can exhibit complex dynamics. We develop a nonlinear mathematical model of coupled human–environment dynamics in mosaic systems and social processes regarding conservation and economic land valuation. Our objective is to better understand how the coupled dynamics respond to changes in ecological and social conditions. The model is parameterized with southern Brazilian data on mosaic ecology, land-use profits, and questionnaire results concerning landowner preferences and conservation values. We find that the mosaic presently resides at a crucial juncture where relatively small changes in social conditions can generate a wide variety of possible outcomes, including complete loss of mosaics; large-amplitude, long-term oscillations between land states that preclude ecosystem stability; and conservation of the mosaic even to the exclusion of agriculture/silviculture. In general, increasing the time horizon used for conservation decision making is more likely to maintain mosaic stability. In contrast, increasing the inherent conservation value of either forests or grasslands is more likely to induce large oscillations—especially for forests—due to feedback from rarity-based conservation decisions. Given the potential for complex dynamics, empirically grounded nonlinear dynamical models should play a larger role in policy formulation for human–environment mosaic ecosystems.

A New Species of Ceradenia (Polypodiaceae) from Southern Brazil

Abstract A new species from the highlands of southern Brazil, Ceradenia maackii, is described and compared to its most similar species. The new species is characterized by having small fronds, ciliate rhizome scales, petiole, axes, and laminar tissue without setae, and laminar tissue bluish and densely covered by glandular hairs. Ceradenia maackii is epipetric and known only from “Pico do Parana” State Park. The new species is illustrated, and a key for Ceradenia from the Atlantic Rain Forest is also provided.

Understanding the Chronology and Occupation Dynamics of Oversized Pit Houses in the Southern Brazilian Highlands

A long held view about the occupation of southern proto-Jê pit house villages of the southern Brazilian highlands is that these sites represent cycles of long-term abandonment and reoccupation. However, this assumption is based on an insufficient number of radiocarbon dates for individual pit houses. To address this problem, we conducted a programme of comprehensive AMS radiocarbon dating and Bayesian modelling at the deeply stratified oversized pit House 1, Baggio I site (Cal. A.D. 1395–1650), Campo Belo do Sul, Santa Catarina state, Brazil. The stratigraphy of House 1 revealed an unparalleled sequence of twelve well preserved floors evidencing a major change in occupation dynamics including five completely burnt collapsed roofs. The results of the radiocarbon dating allowed us to understand for the first time the occupation dynamics of an oversized pit house in the southern Brazilian highlands. The Bayesian model demonstrates that House 1 was occupied for over two centuries with no evidence of major periods of abandonment, calling into question previous models of long-term abandonment. In addition, the House 1 sequence allowed us to tie transformations in ceramic style and lithic technology to an absolute chronology. Finally, we can provide new evidence that the emergence of oversized domestic structures is a relatively recent phenomenon among the southern proto-Jê. As monumental pit houses start to be built, small pit houses continue to be inhabited, evidencing emerging disparities in domestic architecture after AD 1000. Our research shows the importance of programmes of intensive dating of individual structures to understand occupation dynamics and site permanence, and challenges long held assumptions that the southern Brazilian highlands were home to marginal cultures in the context of lowland South America.

Damage to ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ after late frost in the southern Brazilian highlands

Damage to ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ after late frost in the southern Brazilian highlands

The genesis of monuments: Resisting outsiders in the contested landscapes of southern Brazil

In this article, we examine the emergence of the funerary mound and enclosure complexes of the southern Brazilian highlands during the last 1000years in relation to processes of population expansion, contact, conflict and the establishment of frontiers. We test the hypothesis that such monuments emerged among the local southern proto-Jê peoples as a response to the migration of a foreign group, the Tupi-Guarani. We compared the spatio-temporal distribution of mound and enclosure complexes in respect to sites of interaction between the two groups. The results indicate that the rise of funerary architecture coincides with the first incursions of the Tupi-Guarani to the southern proto-Jê heartland, and that mounds are concentrated in areas devoid of interaction. We conclude that highly monumentalized landscapes emerged in areas where local groups chose not to interact with the Tupi-Guarani, showing that funerary monuments were an important component in the establishment of impermeable frontiers to resist outsiders.

Downy mildew intensity in tolerant grapes varieties in highlands of southern Brazil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the different degrees of tolerance to infection by P. viticola among three genotypes with constitutive resistance in comparison to susceptible varieties Vitis vinifera . For this purpose two experiments was conducted at EPAGRI Experimental Station, located in the city of Sao Joaquim, Santa Catarina State, at 2015/16 cycle. In the first experiment on the field, were quantified the incidence and severity and downy mildew intensity was compared by epidemiological variables, on the tolerant varieties Bronner, Regent, Cabernet Cortis and the susceptible Sangiovese. On the second experiment forty leaf discs for the same tolerant genotypes and the susceptible variety Chardonnay were artificially infected with P. viticola sporangia suspension and after seven days of incubation the discs were examined and the degree of infection was estimated based on the intensity of sporangiophore formation. Sangiovese showed highest downy mildew intensity in comparison to the tolerant varieties Cabernet Carbon, Regent and Bronner. Under controlled conditions, the susceptible variety Chardonnay showed higher sporangiophore formation on discs leafs in comparison to the tolerant varieties. All the downy mildew tolerant varieties evaluated showed lower disease development in comparison with V. vinifera varieties.

Revisiting the economy and mobility of southern proto-Jê (Taquara-Itararé) groups in the southern Brazilian highlands: starch grain and phytoliths analyses from the Bonin site, Urubici, Brazil

This article presents the results of starch grain and phytolith residue analyses from 14 ceramic fragments recovered in two domestic cooking structures from a southern proto-Jê pit house at the Bonin site (Urubici, Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil) dating to 1300–1439 and 1297–1414 cal yr. A.D. The novel application of plant microfossil techniques in this region revealed, for the first time, the consumption of manioc (Manihot esculenta Crantz), beans (Phaseolus sp.), and possibly yams (cf. Dioscorea sp.) in addition to maize (Zea mays L.) and squash (Cucurbita sp.). These findings show that southern proto-Jê people had a subsistence economy based on a variety of plant foods and practiced food production more than one century before European Conquest. Contrary to traditional models of southern proto-Jê mobility, our data suggest that food production may have allowed populations to settle in the southern Brazilian highland plateau year-round without the need for seasonal movements to the Atlantic forest escarpment and the Atlantic coast environments to procure food. Our data complement archaeological evidence for increased sedentism and social complexity among southern proto-Jê groups from A.D. 300–1700, including the construction of large, well-planned pit-house villages, and the creation of a highly structured landscape revolving around funerary/ceremonial structures.

Effect of Y-trellis and vertical shoot positioning training systems on downy mildew and botrytis bunch rot of grape in highlands of southern Brazil

Downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) and botrytis bunch rot (Botrytis cinerea) are important diseases in the highlands of Santa Catarina State, a relatively new wine-growing region in Brazil. Although it is known that training systems can affect microclimate and subsequent disease development, this has not been examined in the highlands of Brazil. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of Y-trellis (YT) and vertical shoot positioning (VSP) training system on downy mildew and botrytis bunch rot disease development in ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ cultivar. Experiments were carried out in commercial vineyards in São Joaquim, SC Municipality, southern Brazil, during the year 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 growing seasons. Downy mildew incidence and severity were quantified weekly from the first symptoms appearance on leaves and botrytis bunch rot incidence was evaluated at harvest. Disease progress curves were constructed compared according to: (a) beginning of symptoms appearance; (b) time to maximum disease incidence and severity; (c) maximum disease incidence and severity; and (d) area under the incidence and severity disease progress curve. Results showed significant differences in downy mildew and botrytis bunch rot intensity among grape training systems, where VSP training system showed significantly lower area under the incidence and severity disease progress curve and intensity of downy mildew and botrytis bunch rot in both 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 growing seasons. Collectively, the results of this study suggest VSP training system should be recommended for grapevine production to reduce both downy mildew and botrytis bunch rot in the highlands regions of southern Brazil.