RCAAP Repository

Abstract We evaluated the diversity of Myrtaceae in Chapada Diamantina National Park (CDNP) and neighboring municipalities (NM), identifying the areas with the highest richness and those with the lowest sampling efforts, collecting specimens in situ, and analyzing herbarium collections. The geographic data and maps include collection efforts (CE), species richness (SR), and estimated richness (J1). Ninety-seven species and nine genera were recorded for NM, with 82 species and nine genera occurring in CDNP. The CE and SR were similar in NM and CDNP, and the quadrants with the highest values were in the municipalities of Lençóis and Palmeiras. The J1 was also similar in NM and CDNP. Fifteen species found in NM do not occur in CDNP, and some are considered endangered or are restricted to non-protected areas, especially caatinga areas. Some species showed distributions limited to only one or two vegetation types, although many areas have been only superficially surveyed. Endemic species are subject to anthropic pressure, and some are currently considered endangered or vulnerable. The expansion of the limits of the CDNP to encompass areas of caatinga vegetation will improve the conservation status of the family.

Abstract Restingas are extreme environments present in the Atlantic Rainforest biome. These ecosystems show peculiar characteristics, like sandy soil, high salinity, and high solar exposure, which brings scientific interest to their native species. Stachytarpheta schottiana is an endemic Brazilian species found in Jurubatiba Restinga, and just like other species of the genus Stachytarpheta, is used in folk medicine. In this paper, we describe, for the first time, 28 secondary metabolites from S. schottiana polar extract, among them iridoids, flavonoids, lignans and phenylethanoids, with the use of LC-HRMS/MS dereplication and molecular networking methodologies. Many of these compounds have not been described yet for the genus Stachytarpheta, like astragalin, taxifolin, lamiide and the lignans secondary metabolites class. Also, in this paper, High Speed Counter-Current Chromatography (HSCCC) isolation and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) of two compounds were used to correct a misidentification in the dereplication procedure and to create seeds for molecular networking. Some of the suggested known compounds found in this work have had their biological activities described in the literature, such as the hepatoprotective activity of verbascoside, that matches those already related for the genus Stachytarpheta and for the folk use of Stachytarpheta schottiana itself.

Abstract Nectariferous and polliniferous resources are key to the survival of social bees, so identifying the origin sources allows the implementation of management actions aimed at a greater supply of nutrients for the colonies. Besides, defining the floral origin of honeys contributes to their characterization and commercialization. The objective of our work was to identify the plants that provide nectar to the bees Apis mellifera and Tetragonisca fiebrigi in northern Misiones, through palynological analysis of honey samples collected between 2006 and 2008. Both bees showed a polylectic foraging habit. Richness of pollen types per sample ranged between 10 and 34 (mean = 20.5 ± 7.7) for A. mellifera, and between 13 and 43 (mean = 24.8 ± 7.1) for T. fiebrigi. The 15 most abundant pollen types in the honeys of A. mellifera were, in decreasing order of importance, Euphorbiaceae, Euterpe edulis, Holocalyx balansae, Calyptranthes concinna-type, Actinostemon, Salix, Ruprechtia laxiflora, Myrcianthes pungens-type, Thinouia mucronata, Allophylus edulis, Ilex, Syagrus romanzoffiana, Gouania latifolia-type, Parapiptadenia rigida, and Baccharis-type, whereas in the honeys of T. fiebrigi the most important pollen types included S. romanzoffiana, Schinus weinmannifolius-type, Baccharis-type, H. balansae, E. edulis, Rhamnaceae, Citrus, Leonurus japonicus, G. latifolia-type, A. edulis, Gomphrena perennis-type, Pouteria gardneriana, P. rigida, Zanthoxylum, and Actinostemon.

Abstract We conducted a study to assess the morphometric attributes of Genipa americana fruit, and their relationship with variations in elevation and distances between sampling sites on the southern coast of Bahia, Brazil. Eight fruit were used per sampling site (ten sites; n = 80). Mantel’s test revealed that the spatial distance between sample sites, and elevation of all sampling sites were significantly correlated with the similarities found in fruit diameter (DF), fruit length (FL), and fresh fruit mass (FFM), but the spatial distance between sites, independently of the elevation, was only correlated with the number of seeds per fruit (NSF) and total fresh mass of seeds per fruit (FMSF). The morphometric attributes of fruits, and their associated relationships with elevation and distance between sampling sites are demonstrated.

Abstract The genus Pentacalia belongs to the tribe Senecioneae. It is represented by approximately 160 species predominantly distributed in the Andes. Species of Pentacalia are characterized by having a scandent habit, usually alternate leaves, axillary or terminal capitulescence, homogamous or heterogamous capitula, commonly yellow ray-florets, yellowish, creamy, or whitish disc-florets, sagittate to caudate anther-bases, and cypselae with five to ten ribs. The aim of the present study was to perform a taxonomic treatment of Pentacalia in Brazil, where it is represented by two species, P. desiderabilis and P. tropicalis, from the Atlantic Forest Domain. Detailed descriptions, taxonomic discussions, geographical distributions, an identification key, illustrations and a new record of P. tropicalis for the Northeast Region are presented. Moreover, three names (Senecio desiderabilis, S. ellipticus, and S. tropicalis) are lectotypified.

Abstract This study shows a taxonomic treatment for all species of Bignonieae from the state of Pernambuco (Brazil). Through extensive herbarium and field work, we documented 42 species and 13 genera for Pernambuco, of which six species represent new records for the state (i.e., Adenocalymma coriaceum, Anemopaegma gracile, Anemopaegma velutinum, Bignonia sciuripabulum, Callichlamys latifolia and Fridericia cuneifolia). In addition, Anemopaegma citrinum was documented for the first time in the Atlantic Forest domain. We provide identification keys for genera and species, taxonomic descriptions, data on geographic distribution, habitat, phenology, and illustrations for all species.

Abstract Senna comprises about 350 species worldwide, of which 80 species occur in Brazil. This work brings an update taxonomic treatment of Senna species in the state of Minas Gerais, the second most diverse state for the genus, through the morphological analysis of about 2,348 specimens from herbaria and fieldwork. Thirty-six species and 29 varieties were recognized, including 34 native species and 2 cultivated species. Of the 39 species reported in literature for the state, but 4 species were excluded from the list produced. The occurrence of Senna acuruensis was confirmed; S. macranthera var. striata and S. pilifera var. tubata are new records, and S. hirsuta var. acuminata is endemic to Minas Gerais. There are 28 species in the Cerrado, 26 species in the Atlantic Forest and 20 species in the Caatinga. The distribution of Senna pentagonia var. pentagonia is extended to include the Atlantic Forest. Identification keys, descriptions, illustrations, taxonomic comments and geographic distribution are provided for the species and varities.

Abstract Medicinal plants are an important therapeutic option for a large share of the world’s population. To establish an in vitro culture system for the production of secondary metabolites from Hovenia dulcis, we studied the effect of auxins, cytokinins, absence of light, and silver nitrate on the development of friable callus. Callus cultures were established for the first time and used to obtain cell suspension cultures. Supplementation with KIN (Kinetin) produced calli with both compact and friable areas, while the addition of TDZ (Thidiazuron) only produced compact callus. The maintenance of cultures in the dark induced a slight enhancement on friability when the auxin PIC (Picloram) was present in the culture medium. The addition of silver nitrate promoted the formation of friable calli. Dry weight analysis showed no significant differences in biomass growth, and, therefore, 2.0 mg.L-1 was considered the most suitable treatment. The presence of silver nitrate was not required for the establishment of cell suspension cultures. Dry weight analysis of cell suspensions showed higher biomass production in the absence of silver nitrate. PIC promoted 100% of cell suspension culture formation in the absence of silver nitrate, and higher biomass production was observed with the lowest concentration (0.625 mg.L-1). No morphological differences were observed among the different concentrations of PIC. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, flavonols and catechins in the extracts obtained from H. dulcis calli. These results show that the cell cultures herein established are potential sources for the production of H. dulcis secondary metabolites of medicinal interest.

Abstract The importance of continuously conducting botanical inventories has been questioned in recent decades, generating a lack of investment and interest in this area. However, several applied studies are only possible after obtaining the primary data from such surveys. Despite having the greatest richness of plants known in Brazil, several areas with knowledge gaps remain in Minas Gerais (MG) state. This is the case for the Serra da Mantiqueira, an important area for biodiversity conservation in the country. In this scenario, the phytophysiognomy of Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forest (SSF) deserves attention, as it is broadly distributed and has great relevance in the state, although subsampled. Therefore, this study aimed to present records of species for the flora of MG and discuss the need for floristic surveys in Brazil. These species were recorded in three of 10 studied remnants along expeditions performed between the years of 2012 and 2019 as part of a wide study performed in SSF remnants in the Serra da Mantiqueira which have a deficit of floristic data. Three species are recorded for the first time in MG, one species was rediscovered after more than two centuries from the last collection (which represents its nomenclatural type), in addition to nine other species which must be considered rare in the state. This study contributed to filling gaps in knowledge on Brazilian flora and also demonstrated the relevance of continuing new collections, mainly in specific subsampled areas in the interior of the country such as in SSF remnants.

Abstract The present study is aimed to evaluate the richness, composition and spatial distribution of bryophytes occurring in Mosqueiro Island, in the Amazon forest. Forty-one 100-m² plots in 37 flooded and 4 non-flooded environments were selected for data collection, all substrate found were considered. The results were compared with surveys in other islands from the state of Pará and were analyzed according to frequency of populations, colonized substrates, light tolerance guilds, and distribution in Brazilian biomes. Ninety-seven species were recorded, distributed in 36 genera and 17 families, being 57 (58.7%) liverwort and 40 (41.2%) moss species. The rare species stood out with 53 species (54.08%). High similarity was observed between corticolous and epixylic communities, and between the terricolous community and the bryophytes found growing on charcoal, which is an artificial substrate. In relation to light tolerance guilds, generalist species prevailed (52 species, 53.6%). As for phytogeographic distribution, there was a predominance of taxa with occurrence in the Amazon and Atlantic rainforest (35 species, 37.11%). Ceratolejeunea ceratantha is reported for the first time for the state of Pará. The level of anthropization in the island was showed mainly by high richness and occurrence of generalist species underscores and well-adapted species to stressed conditions, evidencing changes in the bryophyte community structure.

Abstract Natural products have been touted as important tools because of their vast potential for the development of compounds with antimicrobial activity and the possible inhibitory activity and/or adjuvant resistance mechanisms. Propolis has been empirically used for many years for the treatment of diseases, mainly due to its antioxidant, anti inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antimycobacterial activity of the ethanol extract of propolis alone and in combination with rifampicin (RIF), amikacin (AMI) and ciprofloxacin (CIP). The ethanol extract of propolis showed antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium chelonae and M. kansasii and was capable of increasing AMI, RIF and CIP activity in combination. On the other hand, compared to M. absecessus, M. fortuitum and M. avium, the extract was not active at 200 µg/mL and did not show pronounced adjuvant capacity when evaluated in association with the drugs. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the ethanol extract of propolis could be an alternative in the development of new drugs and can be used complementary with the current mycobacteriosis treatment.

Abstract We present the taxonomic treatment of Convolvulaceae for the Meruoca Massif, located in the Northwest region of the Ceará state, where there are remnants of Tropical Pluvial Sub-deciduous Forest (Dry Forest) and Tropical Pluvial-Nebular Rainforest (Wet Forest). The present study was based on the morphological analysis of specimens collected in the field and from the collections EAC, HUEFS, HUVA, PEUFR, and SPF. We recorded 24 species distributed in four genera: Ipomoea (18 species), Jacquemontia (three species), Distimake (two species), and Camonea (one species). We report the first records of I. cearensis for Atlantic Forest and I. aristolochiifolia to the state of Ceará. The taxonomic treatment includes identification key, morphological descriptions, geographic distribution, taxonomic and ecological comments, the period of flowering and fruiting, and photos and illustrations of the diagnostic characters.

Abstract The Brazilian state of Maranhão is located in a transition zone between the Amazon and Cerrado domains; its geographic position enables the coexistence of species from both biomes. Taxonomic information of Orchidaceae and especially Epidendrum in the state are scarce; thus this study aimed to provide a taxonomic treatment for the genus based on field expeditions and analyses of herbarium specimens (IAN, MAR, MG, NY, SLUI, and UB). Epidendrum is represented in Maranhão by 10 species, of which three are new records: E. amapense, E. anceps, and E. carpophorum. Another three previously cited species, E. nocturnum, E. sculptum, and E. viviparum, were not collected and also not found in the herbaria visited; moreover, these records represent misidentifications. The majority of the species is distributed in the Amazon domain; however, E. macrocarpum is recorded for the first time for the Brazilian Cerrado. Here we provide an identification key, descriptions, photographs, and a distribution map of the species in the state.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo adequar um protocolo de avaliação rápida de rios (PAR) para utilização por crianças do ensino fundamental. O estudo foi desenvolvido em Ipameri, GO e o PAR foi adequado para avaliação de riachos do bioma Cerrado do Sudeste goiano. A partir de dois protocolos referência (um nacional e outro oriundo dos EUA), o PAR adequado abrangeu: parâmetros físicos que condicionam o funcionamento dos riachos, linguagem adaptada ao nível de escolaridade do ensino fundamental e a presença de ilustrações esquemáticas que auxiliam a aplicação do PAR em campo pelos estudantes. Para a consolidação do instrumento desenvolvido, foi oferecida uma oficina de monitoramento a 95 estudantes de duas instituições públicas de ensino e realizada uma análise e interpretação do padrão de respostas obtidas na etapa prática da oficina. Os testes Bartlett e Levene não revelaram diferenças estatísticas entre o padrão de resposta dos estudantes, possibilitando inferir que o PAR desenvolvido mostra-se compreensível por parte dos avaliadores. A aplicação do PAR foi rápida (entre 20 e 40 minutos) e os alunos relataram que o instrumento desenvolvido os aproxima das questões ambientais, que a oficina de monitoramento os ajudou a compreender o instrumento e que as ilustrações disponíveis facilitaram a avalição em campo. Em adição, os estudantes afirmaram que se sentiram sensibilizados para com as questões ligadas à preservação dos recursos hídricos e disseram que a participação na oficina de monitoramento ambiental permitiu a apropriação de conhecimentos sobre o funcionamento dos sistemas fluviais. Conclui-se que o PAR adequado mostra-se como uma ferramenta útil e interessante para ser utilizada em projetos e programas de Educação Ambiental.

A bacia hidrográfica do rio Santa Rita engloba os povoados de Simão e Campinhos existindo cerca de 150 casas de farinha. O povoado de Campinhos encontra-se entre os maiores beneficiadores de mandioca na região sudoeste da Bahia, gerando muitos empregos diretos e indiretos. A manipueira é um resíduo líquido oriundo da prensagem da mandioca e apresenta alto potencial poluente decorrente da quantidade glicose e frutose, apresentando potencial poluidor 25 vezes maior do que o do esgoto doméstico. O trabalho teve como objetivo a avaliação dos possíveis impactos decorrentes do lançamento de manipueira na qualidade da água do rio Santa Rita. Para tanto, foi elaborado o mapa de uso do solo e realizada a caracterização fisiográfica da bacia, além de efetuadas seis campanhas de coleta de amostras de água em quatro pontos ao longo do rio. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que a bacia hidrográfica do rio Santa Rita é alongada, com baixa eficiência de drenagem e com baixa possibilidade de ocorrência de enchentes. Os dados relativos aos parâmetros de qualidade de água indicaram um forte aporte de efluentes orgânicos nos núcleos de Campinhos e Simão, comprometendo os valores de oxigênio dissolvido, condutividade elétrica, salinidade, amônia, nitrito, nitrato e zinco, sugerindo impactos decorrentes do lançamento de manipueira. A concentração de fósforo total, ferro e cobre foram superiores à jusante da Estação de Tratamento de Esgoto. A água apresentou-se salobra nos três pontos de coleta mais afetados pelo lançamento de manipueira.

O crescimento populacional e o conforto gerado pelo progresso têm contribuído amplamente para o aumento da poluição do ar, fazendo com que o ar de vários centros urbanos apresente cada vez mais substâncias nocivas aos seres vivos. O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar a qualidade do ar no município de Taubaté, Vale do Paraíba-SP utilizando biomonitoramento com Tradescantia pallida (Rose)D. R. Hunt purpurea Boom(Commelinaceae). O estudo foi desenvolvido num período de 10 meses (setembro/2010 a junho/2011) em cinco localidades (Rodovia Presidente Dutra - tráfego veicular intenso; Estiva - área residencial; Parque Aeroporto - área industrial; Campus Bom Conselho - centro da cidade com alto fluxo veicular e Agronomia - área rural. Foram realizadas semanalmente coletas das inflorescências jovens das plantas expostas. Após a coleta, as inflorescências foram fixadas em solução de etanol/ácido acético glacial (3:1) por 24 h, transferidas para solução de etanol 70% e conservadas sob refrigeração. As mesmas foram submetidas à coloração com carmim acético e quantificado o número de micronúcleos em aproximadamente 300 tétrades para cada inflorescência, sendo confeccionadas lâminas com 10 inflorescências/semana para cada ponto estudado. As médias e desvios padrões foram: Dutra (2,24 ± 1,58), Estiva (2,07 ± 1,33), Parque Aeroporto (1,47 ± 1,05), Bom Conselho (1,42 ± 0,90) e Agronomia (0,82 ± 0,80). Apesar de Taubaté ser uma região em crescimento urbano, os dados revelaram que o ar da cidade apresentou boa qualidade. Manter esse equilíbrio é fundamental, requer esforços e aferição periódica, neste sentido, o biomonitoramento é um método rápido, barato e eficiente.

This issue marks the 21st edition of Ambiente & Agua. This edition has included 20 peer evaluated and reviewed articles, and all editions were published on time. We continue to employ a policy of complete open access, and to foster the visibility of articles. We continue to register the doi of all articles and to publish each issue as a single document in addition to the individual articles. This editorial emphasizes new important recognition received by the Ambiente & Agua journal.

Environmental monitoring of aquatic systems is an important tool to support policy makers and environmental managers' decisions. Long-term, continuous collection of environmental data is fundamental to the understanding of an aquatic system. This paper aims to present the integrated system for environmental monitoring (SIMA), a long-term temporal series system with a web-based archive for limnological and meteorological data. The following environmental parameters are measured by SIMA: chlorophyll-a (µgL-1), water surface temperature (ºC), water column temperature by a thermistor string (ºC), turbidity (NTU), pH, dissolved oxygen concentration (mg L-1), electric conductivity (µS cm-1), wind speed (ms-1) and direction (º), relative humidity (%), shortwave radiation (Wm-2) and barometric pressure (hPa). The data were collected in a preprogrammed time interval (1 hour) and were transmitted by satellite in quasi-real time for any user within 2500 km of the acquisition point. So far, 11 hydroelectric reservoirs are being monitored with the SIMA buoy. Basic statistics (mean and standard deviation) and an example of the temporal series of some parameters were displayed at a database with web access. However, sensor and satellite problems occurred due to the high data acquisition frequency. Sensors problems occurred due to the environmental characteristics of each aquatic system. Water quality sensors rapidly degrade in acidic waters, rendering the collected data invalid. Data is also rendered invalid when sensors become infested with periphyton. Problems occur with the satellites' reception of system data when satellites pass over the buoy antenna. However, the data transfer at some inland locations was not completed due to the satellite constellation position. Nevertheless, the integrated system of water quality and meteorological parameters is an important tool in understanding the aquatic system dynamic. It can also be used to create hydrodynamics models of the aquatic system to allow for the study of meteorological implications to the water body.

It is well-established that changes in land cover and land use (LCLU) are relevant to current local and global changes that are directly linked with food security, human health, urbanization, biodiversity, trans-border migration, environmental refuges, water and soil quality, runoff and sedimentation rates, and other processes. This paper examines LCLU change processes within the Cointzio watershed (Central Mexico). The analysis covers a 28-year time period from 1975 to 2003. LCLU changes were deduced from multi-temporal remote sensing analyses (1975, 1986, 1996, 2000 and 2003). Nearly all of the LCLU changes experienced in the Cointzio watershed occurred during the 1986-1996 period. Half of the 665 km² of the watershed have changed during this period, in what corresponds to a ten-fold increase in the rate of change as compared to the 1975-1986 and 1996-2003 periods. These massive changes are probably related to the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986, which limited the transit of undocumented Mexican workers to the United States of America. The methodology applied in this research constitutes a low-cost alternative for evaluating the impact of LCLU change in watersheds. The magnitude of land use change differed during the periods of analyses in the watershed, functional zones and geoforms. The methodological approach applied in this analysis integrates standard procedures to evaluate land cover and land use change in watersheds. Due to the practical value of the results, the data and information generated during the analysis have been made available to local authorities.

Two size fractions of atmospheric particulate matter < 2.5 µm and 2.5-10 µm were collected in Kenitra City from February 2007 to February 2008. The sampling was done using a Gent Stacked sampler on nuclepore polycarbonate filters and the collected filters were analyzed using Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF) and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The particulate matter trends show higher concentrations during the summer as compared to other seasons. The highest concentrations were obtained for Ca in coarse particles and Fe for fine particles. However, the lowest concentrations were observed for Cd in both particulate sizes. The principal component analysis (PCA) based on multivariate study enabled the identification of soil, road dust and traffic emissions as common sources for coarse and fine particles.