Roseli Lopes da Costa Bortoluzzi

Plant distribution in freshwater wetlands of the Brazilian subtropical highland grasslands

Wetlands are heterogeneous environments that harbor several species. In spite of playing a key role in aquatic ecosystems, macrophytes are the most neglected group in limnological studies. In the Brazilian subtropical highland grasslands, freshwater wetlands occur intermingled with native grasslands. Our objective was to assess species richness and variation in floristic composition along transects. We sampled 324 units to compare floristic similarity between and within areas based on non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). We recorded plants of 40 families, 88 genera, and 133 species, out of which 17 are endangered. The richest families were Poaceae, Cyperaceae, and Asteraceae. The life forms found included amphibious, emergent, and fixed submerged types. The NMDS pointed to dissimilarity between and within areas. We observed the formation of two zones. In the outer zone, we detected seven indicator species and 17 exclusive species. In the inner zone, we detected five indicator species and 29 exclusive species. Our study suggests that wetlands are species-rich, heterogeneous environments characterized by different zones. The knowledge of biodiversity and presence of indicator species is key to the elaboration of strategies for the restoration and conservation of freshwater wetlands.

CARACTERIZAÇÃO MORFOLÓGICA DE PLÂNTULAS DURANTE A GERMINAÇÃO DE SEMENTES DE Psidium cattleianum E Acca sellowiana (MYRTACEAE)

This study describes the morphological characterization during seedling development of Psidium cattleianum Sabine e Acca sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret. To describe germination and seedling morphology, 100 seeds were allowed to germinate on germitest paper as substrate at a temperature of 25 °C. Were analyzed: type, shape and color of the root, hairiness, shape and coloration of hypocotyl and epicotyl, consistency, texture, shape, venation, color, type of board, apex and base of the cotyledons and protophilus. The germination is epigeous phanerocotyledonal for both species, forming seedlings with an axial root system, long pivoting main root with paracotyledons and simple eophylls, opposites. Glands and secreting cells were observed in all organs except in the root system for both species. The germination of the Psidium cattleianum seed begins approximately 10 days after sowing, when the operculum opens followed immediately by the root protrusion. Acca sellowiana shows a long, cylindrical, erect, brownish- red and glabrous hypocotyl after 28 days. When the paracotyledons are totally exposed, they immediately show an intense green color, demonstrating the photosynthetic potential of the seedling growth. The germination process description alongside the morphology of seedlings constitutes an important element for recognition of species.

POTENCIAL DE FRAGMENTOS FLORESTAIS INSERIDOS DENTRO DE FLORESTA DE EXÓTICAS PARA A RESTAURAÇÃO DA FLORESTA COM ARAUCÁRIAS

Forest fragmentation and the use of landscape matrices by agricultural and forest cultures can change the species composition such that these will no longer reflect the structure of the native forests. Thus, fragments can lose their potential to provide propagules for restoration once they lose species, or when its structure is changed due to fragmentation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of a network of remnant forest fragments formed ±60 years ago on a farm to act as a propagule source for a natural regeneration process. The study area belongs to the Ombrophilous Mixed Forest (FOM) formation and is used in the production of exotic forest species. The 798 ha area is located in the Ponte Alta (SC) municipality. Data from phytosociological surveys of this formation were used for comparison, using curves based on the individual rarefaction, distribution of the six most abundant species, proportion of species and zoochoric individual, and similarity analysis in between different areas. The forest fragment showed compatible species richness and at certain times higher than can be found in other FOM situations. Mimosa scabrella was the most abundant species differing from other surveys. The amount of species with zoochoric dispersion mechanisms was similar to what was expected of FOM formations, however, the quantity of zoochoric individuals was below expected. The results indicate that the fragments show potential to act as propagule sources in the restoration process within the farm areas. Nonetheless, the capacity can be rather limited once the fragments show some different characteristics of other Araucaria’s forests.

Potencial Terapêutico de Espécies Arbóreas em Fragmentos de Floresta Ombrófila Mista

This study aimed to evaluate the medicinal potential of tree species in Araucaria Forest (FOM) remnants in Santa Catarina Plateau, highlighting those with therapeutic actions attested in scientific trials, as well as those with medicinal potential according to ethnobotanical records. The floristic composition was sampled through the point-centered quarter method, registering the individuals with DBH ≥ 5 cm closest to the center point. Sampling was conducted in Permanent Preservation Areas (APP’s) and/or Legal Reserve, with the help of 20 transects with 20 points quadrants each, totaling 2.61 hectares. Among the species recorded and identified, 16 of them, classified into 13 plant families, have medicinal potential described and attested in literature and 12 species within 10 families, are suggested as potential, according to ethnobotanical concepts. The present study showed that these sites may contribute to the maintenance of species of FOM and to base future studies on medicinal plants and/or other bioactive potential.

Myrtaceae na Bacia do Rio Caveiras: Características Ecológicas e Usos Não Madeireiros

This study aimed to describe the floristic-structural pattern, ecological characteristics and potentials of Myrtaceae in the Caveiras River Basin. The studied Myrtaceae communities are localized in Santa Catarina Southern Plateau – municipalities of Lages, Sao Jose do Cerrito and Urupema. Four sampling units were installed in each municipality, totaling a sampling area of 30,000 m2. All Myrtaceae individuals with DBH ≥ 5 cm were surveyed within the sampling units. The Myrtaceae community structure was assessed through phytosociological descriptors and the sampling sufficiency was verified using the rarefaction method. The ecological approach, as well as the indication of non-timber use of Myrtaceae resources was inferred from a specialized bibliography and scientific database. 1,480 Myrtaceae individuals were sampled, totaling 21 species and 11 genera. The most abundant species were Myrceugenia euosma, Siphoneugena reitzii and Myrcia palustris, which represent more than 50% of the community structure. Regarding the ecological classification, the late secondary group was the most expressive (57%). The sampled species are recommended for the restoration of altered areas, ornamental (100%) as well as phytotherapic use (60%). Despite the Myrtaceae representativeness and potentials, further research is necessary to support conservation through management plans.

Espécies bioativas em áreas úmidas do Planalto Catarinense

Our objective was to survey and identify the species that occur in wetlands of the uplands of the state of Santa Catarina and associate them to their bioactive potential, validated by laboratory tests or reported in ethnobotanical studies. The study was conducted in 12 wetland areas, located in farms with commercial reforestation of exotic species (these areas belong to the Klabin S.A. Company). The sampling of the vegetation was performed by transection in the transverse direction, in the widest portion of the wetlands and in the transition area to the drier portion (a limited strip of approximately 3 meters). Fertile specimens were collected at every meter of the transection. After the identification of the species, a literature review on the bioactive potential of these species was carried out on the scientific databases, using the studies that attest the potential value of the species and also studies that value the expertise from local populations. In the sampled areas, 235 species were identified and classified into 40 botanical families. From these, 28 species, classified into 11 families, have bioactive potential. Among all species identified, 18 showed scientifically accredited bioactive potential and 10 were cited as to their potential in ethnobotanical studies. Little is known about the diversity of the wetlands in the uplands of the state of Santa Catarina, and further studies are needed to increase the knowledge on the local flora. This study showed a large number of species with validated potential and that could be used by the population, while others have not yet been studied, but that are potential candidates for further researches.

INFLUÊNCIA DO CLIMA E DE ROTAS MIGRATÓRIAS DE ESPÉCIES ARBÓREAS SOBRE O PADRÃO FITOGEOGRÁFICO DE FLORESTAS NA REGIÃO SUL DO BRASIL

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of bioclimatic variables and tree species migration routes on the phytogeographic pattern of different forest phys...