Biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Campo Rupestre: a road map for the sustainability of the hottest Brazilian biodiversity hotspot

Global sustainability rests on a myriad of benefits provided by natural ecosystems that support human livelihoods and well-being, from biodiversity persistence to climate regulation. The undeniable importance of conserving tropical forests has drawn most of the conservation spotlight towards it. However, open ecosystems such as the Brazilian Campo Rupestre (rupestrian grassland), have been historically overlooked despite their high diversity and key associated ecosystem services. We highlight major current threats to the persistence of the Campo Rupestre emphasizing its ecological, social, cultural, geo-environmental, and economic importance. We call attention to the importance of the Campo Rupestre as a reservoir of biodiversity and ecosystem services and offer priority actions that resulted from discussions involving scientists, industry representatives, environmental managers, and other members of civil society. Proposed actions include efforts related to ecological restoration, sustainable ecotourism, protection of traditional ecological knowledge, identification of emerging research questions, and development of tailored public policies. Such issues are integrated into a framework that collectively represents a road map to safeguard the Campo Rupestre from further degradation and steer its historical overexploitation towards sustainable management. Safeguarding the future of non-forest biomes like this poses a challenge to current paradigms of nature conservation. By establishing priorities and guidelines, we propose an actionable plan, which we hope can support informed decision-making policy towards a sustainable use of the Campo Rupestre.Long Term Ecological Research PELD-CRSC-17Conselho Nacional de Pesquisas CNPq/MCTIFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo 2013/50155-0, 2010/51307-0, 2019/07773-

KONCEPCJA I REALIZACJA SYSTEMU PLECAKOWEGO DLA WIELOKANAŁOWEJ ELEKTROFIZJOLOGII U SWOBODNIE ZACHOWUJĄCYCH SIĘ GRYZONI

Technologies for multichannel electrophysiology are experiencing astounding growth. Numbers of channels reach thousands of recording sites, systems are often combined with electrostimulations and optic stimulations. However, the task of design the cheap, flexible system for freely behaving animals without tethered cable are not solved completely. We propose the system for multichannel electrophysiology for both rats and mice. The system allows to record unit activity and local field potential (LFP) up to 32 channels with different types of electrodes. The system was constructed using Intan technologies RHD 2132 chip. Data acquisition and recordings take place on the DAQ-card, which is placed as a back-pack on the animal. The signal is amplified with amplifier cascade and digitalized with 16-bit ADC. Instrumental filters allow to filter the signal in 0.1–20000 Hz bandwidth. The system is powered from the mini-battery with capacity 340 mA/hr. The system was validated with generated signals, in anaesthetized rat and showed a high quality of recordings.Technologie elektrofizjologii wielokanałowej odnotowują zdumiewający wzrost. Liczba kanałów dociera do tysięcy miejsc rejestracji, systemy często łączone są z elektrostymulacjami i stymulacjami optycznymi. Jednak zadanie zaprojektowania taniego, elastycznego systemu pozwalającego na swobodne zachowania zwierząt bez przywiązanego kabla nie zostało całkowicie rozwiązane. Zaproponowano system wielokanałowej elektrofizjologii zarówno dla szczurów, jak i myszy. System pozwala rejestrować aktywność jednostki i potencjał pola lokalnego (LFP) do 32 kanałów z różnymi rodzajami elektrod. System został zbudowany przy użyciu technologii Intan RHD 2132. Akwizycja danych i nagrania odbywają się na karcie DAQ, która została umieszczona w plecaku zwierzęcia. Sygnał jest wzmacniany kaskadą wzmacniaczy i digitalizowany za pomocą 16-bitowego przetwornika ADC. Filtry pozwalają filtrować sygnał w paśmie 0,1–20000 Hz. Zasilany jest z mini-baterii o wydajności 340 mA/godz. System został zwalidowany generowanymi sygnałami u znieczulonego szczura i wykazał wysoką jakość nagrań

Ocorrência de Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br. (Apocynaceae) como espécie invasora de restinga Occurrence of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br. (Apocynaceae) as an invasive species in restinga vegetation

Apesar de possuírem grande importância ao nível de conservação ambiental, existe no Brasil uma acentuada escassez de trabalhos relacionados às invasões biológicas em ambientes terrestres. As restingas, sobretudo, são ambientes extremamente susceptíveis a este tipo de ameaça. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a ocorrência e a estrutura populacional da espécie exótica Calotropis procera na Restinga do Xexé, Farol de São Thomé, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ. Uma varredura que abrangeu uma área de 126 ha (1400m x 900m) foi realizada, sendo amostrado um total de 475 indivíduos, ou seja, uma média de 3,8 indivíduos por hectare. Para a avaliação da distribuição dos indivíduos num gradiente interior-praia, foram alocados três transectos (300m x 10m) nesta direção. A amostragem nos transectos indicou a ocorrência de 28 indivíduos com altura > 50 cm e nenhum com altura < 50 cm, sendo sua ocorrência restrita as áreas com vestígios de perturbação e não tendo sido constatado nenhuma relação com a distância da praia. A ausência de plântulas e jovens na amostragem ao longo dos transectos sugere o rápido desenvolvimento dos indivíduos após a germinação. Os resultados indicaram que Calotropis procera possui grande potencial invasor de áreas perturbadas de restinga. Um plano de ações para seu controle e erradicação deve ser urgentemente implementado pelos órgãos ambientais responsáveis.<br>Although invasive species are one of the main reasons for the loss of biodiversity, in Brazil there is little information about biological invasions in terrestrial ecosystems. Sandy coastal plain forests (restinga) and shrubby vegetation are places extremely susceptible to this kind of threat. The goal of this work was to evaluate the occurrence of the exotic species Calotropis procera in the Restinga do Xexé, Farol de São Tomé, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil. A survey covering an area of 126 ha (1400 m x 900 m) was carried out, where a total of 475 individuals were sampled (mean of 3.8 indiv.ha-1). To assess the spatial distribution and population structure of this species, three transects (300 m x 10 m) were created, which were perpendicular to the vegetation gradient from interior to shoreline, and all individuals of C. procera were sampled. A total of 28 individuals > 50 cm tall were sampled, and no individuals < 50 cm tall were found in the three transects. The plants were restricted to areas with vestiges of human disturbance. The absence of seedling samples within the transects is probably related to the fast growth of this species after germination. The results showed that C. procera has a great potential of invading disturbed areas in restinga vegetation. A plan to control and eradicate this species should be considered by the Brazilian environmental agency

Fenologia reprodutiva, sazonalidade e germinação de Kielmeyera regalis Saddi (Clusiaceae), espécie endêmica dos campos rupestres da Cadeia do Espinhaço, Brasil Reproductive phenology, seasonality and germination of Kielmeyera regalis Saddi (Clusiaceae), a species endemic to rock outcrops in the Espinhaço Range, Brazil

A fenologia reprodutiva e a germinação de sementes foram estudadas em uma população de Kielmeyera regalis da Serra do Cipó, MG. Foram calculados os índices de atividade e intensidade de produção de botões, flores, frutos imaturos e frutos maduros ao longo de 2001. A influência do clima sobre a fenologia foi avaliada por Análise de Correspondência Canônica (CCA). A germinação foi avaliada a temperaturas constantes de 15-35 ºC (com intervalos de 5 ºC) em câmaras de germinação com fotoperíodo de 12 h. A variância dos dados explicada pela CCA foi de 72,8%. A temperatura média do ar, evaporação e radiação solar global apresentaram altos coeficientes de correlação com a fenologia. O florescimento ocorreu nos meses quentes e úmidos, a maturação de frutos se estendeu na estação seca e fria, e a dispersão das sementes, logo antes da estação chuvosa. A germinabilidade foi superior a 80% nas temperaturas de 20-30 ºC, faixa ocorrente no período chuvoso logo após a dispersão das sementes. Comparações com outros estudos indicam que a dispersão e rápida germinação nesses períodos são fortes fatores adaptativos dentro do gênero. Os resultados são importantes para a compreensão dos fatores que afetam o sucesso reprodutivo e expansão populacional, e devem ser considerados para ações de manejo desta espécie rupestre endêmica.<br>The reproductive phenology and seed germination of a Kielmeyera regalis population, from Serra do Cipó (MG), Brazil, were studied. During 2001, the intensity and activity indices were calculated to estimate production of flower buds, flowers, and immature and mature fruits. Influence of the climate on phenology was determined by a Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Germination was studied under a 12 h photoperiod at seven fixed temperatures (15-35ºC at 5ºC intervals). The CCA explained 72.8% of the phenological data variation. The highest correlation coefficients with phenology were observed for mean air temperature, evaporation and solar global radiation. Flowering occurred during the hot and wet season, fruit maturation extended during the entire cold and dry season, and seed dispersal peaked before the onset of the rainy season. Germinability reached values above 80% under temperatures of 20-30ºC, which occurred during the rainy period, just after seed dispersal. The results of this and other studies indicate that seed dispersal just before the rainy season, and fast germination at the beginning of the rainy season, are highly adaptive traits within the genus. In addition, the results provide important information for understanding basic factors that affect reproductive success and population growth, and should be considered when managing this endemic species from rock outcrop