Wood density is a critical control on tree biomass, so poor understanding of its spatial variation can lead to large and systematic errors in forest biomass estimates and carbon maps. The need to understand how and why wood density varies is especially critical in tropical America where forests have exceptional species diversity and spatial turnover in composition. As tree identity and forest composition are challenging to estimate remotely, ground surveys are essential to know the wood density of trees, whether measured directly or inferred from their identity. Here, we assemble an extensive dataset of variation in wood density across the most forested and tree-diverse continent, examine how it relates to spatial and environmental variables, and use these relationships to predict spatial variation in wood density over tropical and sub-tropical South America. Our analysis refines previously identified east-west Amazon gradients in wood density, improves them by revealing fine-scale variation, and extends predictions into Andean, dry, and Atlantic forests. The results halve biomass prediction errors compared to a naïve scenario with no knowledge of spatial variation in wood density. Our findings will help improve remote sensing-based estimates of aboveground biomass carbon stocks across tropical South America.

Tree growth and longevity trade-offs fundamentally shape the terrestrial carbon balance. Yet, we lack a unified understanding of how such trade-offs vary across the world’s forests. By mapping life history traits for a wide range of species across the Americas, we reveal considerable variation in life expectancies from 10 centimeters in diameter (ranging from 1.3 to 3195 years) and show that the pace of life for trees can be accurately classified into four demographic functional types. We found emergent patterns in the strength of trade-offs between growth and longevity across a temperature gradient. Furthermore, we show that the diversity of life history traits varies predictably across forest biomes, giving rise to a positive relationship between trait diversity and productivity. Our pan-latitudinal assessment provides new insights into the demographic mechanisms that govern the carbon turnover rate across forest biomes.

Tetranychus urticae, popularly known as spider mite, is a pest that causes several economic losses to crops. Thus, this work evaluated the effect of essential oils from the leaves of Piper macedoi and Piper arboreum on managing T. urticae. The chemical compounds present in essential oils were identified by gas chromatography. Tests were carried out to evaluate the acaricidal activity by fumigation effect and direct contact with T. urticae. The results showed that LC50 values for the essential oils of P. macedoi and P. arboreum in the fumigation effect were 16.15 and 50.53 mu L L-1 air, respectively. Using the contact application route, the LC50 values for the essential oil of P. macedoi was 17.16 mu L mL(-1), and for P arboreum, it was 15.17 mu L mL(-1). So, this work showed that essential oils of Piper macedoi and Piper arboreum could be used as possible alternative to managing T. urticae.

The tropical forest is extremely exploited and fragmented, making it essential to collect native seeds to meet the growing demand for its restoration and maintenance of biodiversity. Thus, the objective is to select potential forest fragments with a higher degree of conservation for seed harvesting, through the use and association of landscape ecology with fuzzy logic. The study was carried out in the watershed of the Itapemirim river. The stages of selection and photointerpretation of the images were carried out; error determination; application of landscape ecology metric indices; application of fuzzy logic in a computational application and validation of the methodology in loco. 7,515 forest fragments were determined, corresponding to 19.21% of the study area, with 89.53% of hits. Fragments smaller than 5 ha are the most fragile and are at risk of extinction, while those larger than 300 ha have a lower risk of extinction, even with the increase in the edge. With the application of fuzzy logic, the mean was between 0.15, standard deviation of 0.24 and the coefficient of variation at 161.73%. Scenario 1 (FLONA of Pacotuba), has 10.25% of families, 25.92% of genera and 33.62% of species more than Scenario 2 (PEAMA Ifes Campus of Alegre), among the identified individuals. The association of landscape ecology techniques and fuzzy logic made it possible to identify fragments with a higher degree of conservation, with potential for harvesting forest seeds.

A floresta tropical é extremamente explorada e fragmentada, sendo imprescindível a coleta de sementes nativas, a fim de atender a crescente demanda para sua restauração e manutenção da biodiversidade. Dessa forma, objetiva-se selecionar fragmentos florestais potenciais com maior grau de conservação para a colheita de sementes, via utilização e associação da ecologia da paisagem à lógica Fuzzy. O estudo foi realizado na bacia hidrográfica do rio Itapemirim. Foram realizadas as etapas de seleção e fotointerpretação das imagens; determinação do erro; aplicação dos índices métricos de ecologia da paisagem; aplicação da lógica Fuzzy em aplicativo computacional e validação da metodologia in loco. Foram determinados 7.515 fragmentos florestais, correspondendo a 19,21% da área de estudo, com 89,53% de acertos. Os fragmentos menores que 5 ha são os mais frágeis e possuem risco de extinção, enquanto os maiores que 300 ha possuem menor risco de extinção, mesmo com o aumento da borda. Com a aplicação da lógica Fuzzy, a média ficou entre 0,15, desvio padrão de 0,24 e o coeficiente de variação em 161,73 %. O Cenário 1 (FLONA de Pacotuba) possui 10,25% de famílias, 25,92 % de gêneros e 33,62% de espécies a mais que o Cenário 2 (PEAMA Ifes Campus de Alegre), entre os indivíduos identificados. A associação das técnicas de ecologia da paisagem e lógica Fuzzy possibilitou identificar os fragmentos em maior grau de conservação, com potencial para colheita de sementes florestais.

Nos primeiros tempos da vida rural no Brasil, a característica mais marcante era a diversidade de atividades nas propriedades rurais, que garantia a autossuficiência.A descentralização das práticas agrícolas e pecuárias era a base da subsistência nas áreas rurais brasileiras.Essa proficiência dos habitantes rurais permitiu que, ao longo dos séculos e após enfrentarem os desafios do sistema de produção convencional, os pequenos agricultores se adaptassem às novas demandas do mercado.Este estudo buscou explorar a pluriatividade no contexto do "novo rural" por meio de uma revisão de literatura.Com o avanço tecnológico e o êxodo rural, muitos habitantes do campo encontraram na pluriatividade a única alternativa viável para sustentar suas famílias, uma vez que a atividade rural tradicional por si só não garantia mais a subsistência.A pluriatividade, portanto, passou a contribuir significativamente para a renda dos pequenos agricultores, introduzindo novas atividades no meio rural.Nesse sentido, os sistemas agroecológicos de produção desempenham um papel importante na melhoria das condições socioambientais, na promoção da saúde e na garantia da segurança alimentar.Observou-se no presente estudo que a cadeia produtiva agroecológica e o consumo estão intrinsecamente ligados, promovendo uma abordagem sustentável à agricultura que beneficia o meio ambiente, as comunidades locais, a saúde e a qualidade dos alimentos.A adoção da pluriatividade, uma característica dos sistemas agroecológicos, emerge como uma alternativa sustentável para que os agricultores familiares possam permanecer no meio rural.

The fungus Colletotrichum musae could cause a disease called anthracnose which reduces the quality of the banana fruit in the postharvest period. Anthracnose causes rots, peel lesions and generate great economic losses. Synthetic fungicides, used as an attempt to reduce the pathogen population, although effective, when used in amounts and frequency above the recommended, cause damage the environment and human health and can induce resistance. Research has focused in the search for alternative methods to reduce the use of synthetic substances in managing of agricultural diseases. The control of pathogens using compounds of natural origin is highlighted among new management techniques. Thus, we aimed to extract and characterize the essential oil from Piper macedoi leaves and evaluate its effect in the inhibiting the mycelial growth of the fungus C. musae in vitro. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation, analyzed and characterized by Gas Chromatography and submitted to assays of fungicidal activity with C. musae. In comparison with dry plant material, yield of P. macedoi essential oil was 0.93 %. Piperitone (26.48 %), silvestrene (13.03 %), and bicyclogermacrene (10.45 %), were the major compounds identified in the essential oil composition considering the percentage in area. Regarding the antifungal activity tests, the essential oil showed a low inhibitory concentration (IC) for the IC50 (0.804 mL.L−1) and IC90 (1.80 mL.L−1), showing that the essential oil from P. macedoi leaves has great potential to control C. musae.

O Brasil detém alta diversidade biológica diretamente ligada ao seu extenso patrimônio cultural, o que permite a descoberta de novas espécies, ou de novas propriedades de espécies já conhecidas. Este trabalho objetivou elaborar uma compilação das espécies de plantas alimentícias não convencionais mencionadas nos trabalhos etnobotânicos realizados em áreas de Mata Atlântica. A partir de uma revisão bibliográfica, foram identificadas 256 espécies de plantas comestíveis, sendo 122 nativas com domínio fitogeográfico na Mata Atlântica, e 32 endêmicas. Em face da grande biodiversidade do bioma, os grupos de pessoas estudados que interagem diretamente com ele, possuem amplo conhecimento sobre suas espécies vegetais. Assegurar o modo de vida de comunidades locais auxilia não apenas a preservação de espécies da Mata Atlântica, mas também do conhecimento associado a elas.

A arborização urbana tem sido associada a diversos benefícios que impactam na qualidade de vida da população. Com o crescimento dos centros urbanos, os espaços públicos de convívio, como áreas verdes e praças, se tornaram primordiais. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo discutir a organização, mapear e quantificar a área coberta, por arborização das praças públicas do município de Alegre, estado do Espírito Santo. O trabalho utilizou como metodologia o processo de fotointerpretação em tela, com o uso de arquivo vetoriais e de ortofotomosaicos do Espírito Santo, referentes aos anos de 2012-2015 e 2019-2020. Verificou-se que as Parque Getúlio Vargas; Praça Antônio Correia Monteiro; Praça Bernadino Monteiro; Praça da Bandeira; Praça Nossa Senhora da Penha; Praça Sebastião Monteiro Nogueira, apresentaram 91,89% de arborização, e um IAV de 0,56m2, número inferior aos 15m2 recomendados pela Sociedade Brasileira de Arborização Urbana.

As coleções botânicas compõem um dos mais importantes instrumentos para aquisição de informações acerca da composição da biodiversidade, sendo seu uso importante para os conhecimentos da biota. Diante disso, o presente trabalho objetivou a criação de uma coleção botânica de exsicatas, xiloteca, carpoteca e espermateca. Para isto, foram utilizadas amostras de exsicatas, madeiras, frutos e sementes doadas e coletadas nos jardins da instituição e em Jerônimo Monteiro. Os espécimes coletados foram identificados e armazenados nas respectivas coleções. Ao final do trabalho, foi possível obter 15 amostras de exsicatas, 32 amostras de madeiras, 14 amostras de carpoteca e 9 amostras de sementes. Além disso, foi identificado que 64% das amostras são nativas. Conclui-se que o todo o planeta vem sofrendo crises no que se refere à biodiversidade, aumentando cada vez mais os riscos quanto a escassez dos recursos naturais, e assim, as coleções se tornam imprenscindíveis no fornecimento de informações. Conclui-se ainda que o paisagismo tem grande influência na introdução de espécies exóticas nos ambientes naturais.

O Bioma Mata Atlântica, considerado um dos hotspots da humanidade é formado por diversas formações florestais que se encontram em risco de extinção. Pelo exposto, objetiva-se comparar a capacidade de regeneração arbórea em diferentes condições de umidade em Floresta Estacional Semidecidual ao Sul do Espírito Santo. Para levantamento da vegetação foi empregado o método de amostragem em parcelas, em que foram demarcadas 10 parcelas de 10 x 5 m no Cenário 1 (úmido) e Cenário 2 (seco), de forma aleatória. Foram coletados todos os indivíduos com altura ≥ a 50 cm e Diâmetro a Altura do Peito ≤ a 2,5 cm. O material botânico foi coletado, seco e identificados com auxílio de bibliografia especializada e circunscrição conforme APG IV. A análise fitossociológica foi realizada por intermédio do aplicativo FITOPAC 2. Os Parâmetros avaliados foram os propostos por Mueller-Dombois e Ellenberg, índice de diversidade de Shannon-Wiener, equabilidade de Pielou, grupo ecológico, análise via estatística descritiva e determinação da dispersão pelo Índice de Payandeh. Os resultados do levantamento no Cenário 1 e Cenário 2 perfazem um total de 357 indivíduos distribuídos em 16 famílias e 45 espécies. O Cenário 1, apesar de ter menos indivíduos que o cenário 2, é mais rico, apresenta melhores índices fitossociológicos, maior diversidade e melhor representatividade que o Cenário 2. Ambos os cenários se encontram num estágio intermediário de sucessão e apresentam padrão de distribuição agregado. A análise via estatística descritiva, demonstra que o Cenário 1 é mais homogêneo e possui menor desvio padrão.

Devido à escassez de informações básicas quanto às plantas alimentícias não convencionais (PANC) foi realizado o presente estudo. Objetivou-se resgatar, divulgar e democratizar o conhecimento acerca das PANC. Foram entrevistadas 65 pessoas, sendo 52 consumidores e 13 agricultores familiares, selecionadas por meio de observação direta em circuitos curtos de comercialização em Alegre-ES. Foram citadas 98 espécies de PANC. Os resultados foram sistematizados em um banner que foi utilizado em três exposições artístico-pedagógicas, caracterizando-se como espaços não formais de educação socioambiental. Nesse contexto, o conhecimento tradicional configura-se como uma importante ferramenta educadora para a valorização da agrobiodiversidade e as redes de circuitos-curtos de comercialização como um meio para o fortalecimento da soberania alimentar local e para a promoção de hábitos alimentares saudáveis, a partir de uma base alimentar funcional e mais ampla, sendo, portanto, mais sólida e segura.

Background: The objective of this study was the genetic characterization of remaining populations of the species Paratecoma peroba occurring in fragments of the Atlantic Forest, by estimating parameters of diversity and genetic structure. The study was carried out in two forest fragments, the Atlantic Forest Environmental Education Pole (area 1) and the Pacotuba National Forest (area 2), where 93 adult trees were identified. Results: Ten Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) primers were used in genotyping, obtaining 112 amplified bands with 87.5% polymorphism. The genetic diversity estimated for the populations from the Nei (H*) and Shannon (I*) indices was higher for area 1. For the joint data, moderate genetic diversity was observed, referring to the average values of 0.26 and 0.40, obtained for the H* and I* indices, respectively. Molecular variance analysis resulted in moderate differentiation between populations (Φ ST = 0.143), while gene flow analysis (N m = 6.69) revealed the occurrence of similar alleles between them. However, the predominance of a single genetic group in area 2, revealed from Bayesian approach, indicates that its genetic structure, possibly generated by the current scenario of fragmentation of the Atlantic Forest and the distancing of populations, affecting the contemporary gene flow. Conclusion: Despite the moderate genetic diversity of the species for the area 2 population, actions toward inclusion of seedlings obtained from seeds from neighboring fragments, including area 1, and the increase in the connectivity of forest fragments through ecological corridors, could assist in augmenting its genetic variation.

The Bertholletia excelsa a species native to the Amazon region of great national and international interest, mainly for the nutritional benefits of its seeds. However, there is still no information on the ecophysiological responses of B. excelsa to climate change. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of climate change on the ecophysiology of B. excelsa seedlings. To do so, B. excelsa seedlings were conducted, for 91 days, in three different climatic scenarios: current Amazon; RCP4.5 (current average temperature in the Amazon + 2.5 °C and 538 ppm of carbon dioxide concentration i.e. [CO2]); and RCP8.5 (+ 4.5 °C and 936 ppm [CO2]). In addition, two irrigation levels were applied within each climatic scenario: seedlings maintained at 90% (not stressed) and 40% (stressed) of the water holding capacity of the substrate. Gaseous exchanges, water status, extravasation of electrolytes, chlorophyll parameters and total dry mass were evaluated. The results showed that climate change increased not only gas exchange variables, but all the ecophysiological processes of B. excelsa seedlings, even when subjected to water stress. This result led to a higher total dry matter production, especially under the conditions of the RCP8.5 scenario.

This paper aims to evaluate the floristic and structure of natural regeneration in a forest fragment located in the south of Espírito Santo State, as well as to verify the interaction between vegetation and environmental variables. The study was developed in Private Reserve of Nature Patrimony (RPPN) Cafundó, with twelve sample units (1 x 20m), where three classes based on size - Class 1 (plants between 0.1 and 1m high), Class 2 (plants between 1.1 and 3m high) and Class 3 (plants higher than 3m and less than 5cm DBH). This RPPN has a total area of 517ha, which approximately 358ha were used for allocation of experimental units. Individuals were classified according to ecological group and dispersion syndrome. Floristic diversity, equability, density and frequency of species were also calculated. Analysis of natural regeneration, floristic similarity between natural regeneration and the upper layer as well the regenerating layer interaction with environmental variables was performed through Canonical Correspondence Analysis. We found 678 individuals distributed in 73 morphospecies/species, with Actinostemon klotzschii and Goniorrhachis marginata being the most abundant. Sorensen's similarity between natural regeneration and the adult tree layer was 29%. The most dominant ecological groups were late secondary, while zoochory was the predominant dispersion syndrome among existing species. Shannon diversity index was 3.13 and equability 0.72. Goniorrhachis marginata, Actinostemon klotzschii and Psychotria carthagenensis species had correlation with carbon (C), phosphorus (P), declivity and canopy cover. We concluded that the natural regeneration component within studied area has a high richness and density of individuals when compared to studies developed in similar phytophysiognomies. The studied environmental variables seem to have little influence on the distribution of natural regeneration species in the RPPN, once only carbon, phosphorus, declivity and canopy cover have explained the species distribution within fragment.

Many studies have investigated nutrient cycling in seasonally dry tropical forests, but few have assessed the contribution of different functional groups to these processes. Here, we investigated general litter dynamics patterns and the contribution of legume and non-legume trees to litter dynamics and carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) inputs in a fragment of secondary seasonally dry tropical forest after half a century of forest succession in the Atlantic Forest biome in Brazil. Between 2016 and 2017, we quantified litterfall production, canopy cover, forest floor, and soil C and N storage in 11 permanent plots distributed in the fragment. Vegetation identity and structure had been previously assessed. We quantified the seasonal inputs of leaf litter and C, N, and P separately for each functional group (legume and non-legume tree species). We also analyzed the correlations between the variables measured for each functional group with the variables measured at the plot level. Litter dynamics and nutrient input were affected by climate and functional group. Litterfall production during the two driest months was three times higher than during the other periods of the year, suggesting that species synchronicity is likely to minimize drought-related damage on trees. Legume trees had twice the basal area attained by non-legume trees, but while legumes were larger, non-legumes were more abundant and dominant in the smaller diameter class. Legumes deposited twice as much N during the driest period of the year as non-legumes. Although leaf litter, C, and P inputs by legumes were generally higher than those of non-legumes, these differences during the dry season were not statistically significant. We also found that the legume variables correlated better with the plot-level variables, compared to the non-legume functional group. Our results also indicated potential effects of the leaf litter and nutrient inputs by the legume functional group on the decomposition constant and, consequently, on the time of forest floor decomposition. Further studies should assess the role of different functional groups in litter dynamics and nutrient inputs in seasonally dry tropical forests.

Tropical forests are the most diverse and productive ecosystems on Earth. While better understanding of these forests is critical for our collective future, until quite recently efforts to measure and monitor them have been largely disconnected. Networking is essential to discover the answers to questions that transcend borders and the horizons of funding agencies. Here we show how a global community is responding to the challenges of tropical ecosystem research with diverse teams measuring forests tree-by-tree in thousands of long-term plots. We review the major scientific discoveries of this work and show how this process is changing tropical forest science. Our core approach involves linking long-term grassroots initiatives with standardized protocols and data management to generate robust scaled-up results. By connecting tropical researchers and elevating their status, our Social Research Network model recognises the key role of the data originator in scientific discovery. Conceived in 1999 with RAINFOR (South America), our permanent plot networks have been adapted to Africa (AfriTRON) and Southeast Asia (T-FORCES) and widely emulated worldwide. Now these multiple initiatives are integrated via ForestPlots.net cyber-infrastructure, linking colleagues from 54 countries across 24 plot networks. Collectively these are transforming understanding of tropical forests and their biospheric role. Together we have discovered how, where and why forest carbon and biodiversity are responding to climate change, and how they feedback on it. This long-term pan-tropical collaboration has revealed a large long-term carbon sink and its trends, as well as making clear which drivers are most important, which forest processes are affected, where they are changing, what the lags are, and the likely future responses of tropical forests as the climate continues to change. By leveraging a remarkably old technology, plot networks are sparking a very modern revolution in tropical forest science. In the future, humanity can benefit greatly by nurturing the grassroots communities now collectively capable of generating unique, long-term understanding of Earth's most precious forests.

Botanical insecticides based on oils and plant extracts have proven to be an efficient alternative method for pest control, as required by agroecological systems. Tephrosia vogelii (Hook.f.) has been used in agriculture as a source of green manure and in the control of pests and diseases. However, there are few studies regarding the use of compounds derived from the secondary metabolism of this plant. Chemical compounds present in the essential oil of Tephrosia vogelii flowers were identified, aiming at its use to control the aphid Cerosipha forbesi in the strawberry crop. Bioassays were carried out under laboratory and semi-field conditions, with different concentrations of the essential oil and the lethal concentrations LC50 and LC90 were estimated. Only two groups of terpenic compounds were identified in the essential oil of T. vogelii: monoterpenic hydrocarbons (alpha-pinene; limonene and ocimene) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (nerolidol, spathulenol and farnesol). The essential oil of T. vogelii presented toxic effect against C. forbesi, with the LC50 and LC90 of the insect population estimated at 0.106 and 0.380 mL/L, respectively. Under semi-field conditions, mortality increased at higher concentrations, and the LC50 and LC90 were estimated at 0.114 mL/L and 0.465 mL/L, respectively. Mortality over 90% was observed after 24 h of the essential oil application, for all of the tested concentrations, showing an insecticidal action of the oil against the aphid C. forbesi.