Sustainability Agenda for the Pantanal Wetland: Perspectives on a Collaborative Interface for Science, Policy, and Decision-Making.

Building bridges between environmental and political agendas is essential nowadays in face of the increasing human pressure on natural environments, including wetlands. Wetlands provide critical ecosystem services for humanity and can generate a considerable direct or indirect income to the local communities. To meet many of the sustainable development goals, we need to move our trajectory from the current environmental destructive development to a wiser wetland use. The current article contain a proposed agenda for the Pantanal aiming the improvement of public policy for conservation in the Pantanal, one of the largest, most diverse, and continuous inland wetland in the world. We suggest and discuss a list of 11 essential interfaces between science, policy, and development in region linked to the proposed agenda. We believe that a functional science network can booster the collaborative capability to generate creative ideas and solutions to address the big challenges faced by the Pantanal wetland

THE BRAZIL NUT TREE (BERTHOLLETIA EXCELSA HUMB. & BONPL. (LECYTHIDACEAE)): IMPORTANCE AND BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS

The Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) is a species of tree native to the Amazon region. The exploitation of its wood and fruit provides significant economic value. Due to this important economic value, different studies related to the Brazil nut tree provide relevant information about the beneficial and harmful relationships between the tree and other organisms. However, such information is scattered and difficult to access. The objective of this study was to compile the available information on the different relationships between the Brazil nut tree and other organisms to support future studies and strategies to better manage the resources and benefits of this tree. We found 194 species that interact with the Brazil nut tree. These species consisted of predators, dispersers, competitors, pollinators, floral visitors, pathogens and microorganisms. Although exploitation of the Brazil nut has occurred for many decades in native forests, the production of seedlings and cultivation of the species are relatively recent events, with few occurrences of pests and diseases recorded for B.excelsa in native forests and plantations. In contrast, pollinators, floral visitors and dispersers were recorded in abundance, as well as contaminating fungi that deteriorate the nut. Considering the volume and diversity of records it is possible to infer that there is a need for constant monitoring of the Brazil nut in plantations and natural areas, as well as to encourage research related to the specific biotic interactions of Brazil nuts

PREDICTION OF SEEDS OF CASSIA FISTULA L. (FABACEAE) BY BRUCHINAE

Predation of seeds by bruquines can affect the development and viability of tree species. The objective of this study was to identify seed predator species of Cassia fistula L. (Fabaceae) used in the urban arborization of Sinop, Mato Grosso, as well as to evaluate the percentage of seed predation in relation to phenological phase and fruit size. One hundred fruits of C. fistula, from ten adult trees, located in the urban perimeter, were evaluated. In the laboratory the fruits were opened and the seeds classified according to their appearance, in healthy or predated. Pygiopachymerus lineola (Chevrolat, 1871) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae), was the only species found preying on the seeds of C. fistula. Seed analysis suggests a low level of predation by the insect. The relationship between fruit length and seed predation percentage was not observed and Cassia fistula can be considered a viable species for urban tree growing in Sinop, MT

EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION AND EXPOSURE TIME ON COPPER ACCUMULATION IN EICHHORNIA CRASSIPES (MART.) SOLMS. (PONTEDERIACEAE)

Different factors can influence the absorption and storage of substances in plant biomass. In this study, we evaluated the effect of copper concentration in growth medium and plant exposure time on copper accumulation in Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. (Pontederiaceae) roots and leaves under controlled conditions. Plants were subjected to four treatments of copper concentrations of 1, 3 and 5 μg.mL-1, with a control treatment of 0 μg.mL-1, and evaluated at seven-day intervals over 21 days. Copper concentration in biomass was analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy with flame atomisation. The results showed that copper concentration in the growth medium and time of exposure had a significant effect on the amount of copper accumulated by E. crassipes roots and leaves, with roots more efficient compared to leaves. It is likely that E. crassipes has mechanisms for the translocation of metal from the root system to the leaves. Symptoms of copper toxicity were observed in the vegetative parts of the plants at the end of the experiments. This study demonstrates that E. crassipes presents great potential in the absorption and accumulation of copper under laboratory conditions, indicating its effectiveness for applications in phytoremediation processes

Accumulation of copper by the aquatic macrophyte Salvinia biloba Raddi (Salviniaceae)

<div><p>Abstract Aquatic macrophytes have properties and mechanisms which are useful for the removal of substances in solution, commonly used in phytoremediation processes in aquatic environments. This study evaluated the performance of copper (Cu) accumulation by Salvinia biloba Raddi (Salviniaceae) in different metal concentrations (1, 3 and 5 µg mL-1), as well as the control treatment, measured at intervals of 0, 7 and 14 days under laboratory conditions, with control as to pH and luminosity. After the experiment, the S. biloba biomass was washed, kiln dried, crushed and subjected to the process of digestion, and subsequently the accumulated copper content was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that S. biloba is apt at accumulating copper, varying significantly between different treatments and days of exposure to the contaminant, as well as its interaction (treatment × days). The highest accumulation values were observed in treatment with 5 µg mL-1, which at 14 days, with 11,861 µg g-1 of copper. We observed symptoms of toxicity and mortality in plants, probably indicating the effect of copper on the species when at high levels. Salvinia biloba is an efficient species in the removal of copper in solution, its recommendation as a remediating agent in aquatic ecosystems being possible.</p></div

Insetos predadores em copas de Citrus deliciosa (Rutaceae) sob manejo orgânico no sul do Brasil Predatory insects in canopies of Citrus deliciosa (Rutaceae) under organic management in southern Brazil

A fauna de insetos predadores em copas de Citrus deliciosa Tenore var. Montenegrina, em Montenegro, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, foi avaliada quanto à sua composição, abundância e diversidade, entre março de 2004 e março de 2005. Foram coletados, no total, 658 insetos predadores, representados por 51 espécies de dez famílias e cinco ordens, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Neuroptera, Thysanoptera e Hemiptera. As espécies mais abundantes foram Camponotus sp. 1 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) (16,87%) e Coccidophilus sp. (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) (11,85%). A maior abundância, riqueza e eqüitabilidade de insetos predadores foi registrada na primavera, embora não tenha sido constatada diferença significativa entre as estações.<br>The composition, abundance and diversity of predatory insects occurring on canopies of Citrus sinensis Tenore var. Montenegrina, in Montenegro, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were studied from March 2004 to March 2005. A total of 658 predaceous insects were collected, representing 51 species from ten families and five orders, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Neuroptera, Thysanoptera and Hemiptera. The most abundant species were Camponotus sp. 1 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) (16.87%) and Coccidophilus sp. (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) (11.85%). The highest abundance, richness and evenness of predatory insects were recorded in spring, although no significant difference among seasons has been found