Por que preservar os campos do extremo sul do Brasil?

In Brazil, grassland ecosystems of the Pampa are restricted to Rio Grande do Sul State (RS) and constitute the largest temperate natural grassland in the world. There are no recent data to indicate how much of these fields was lost in the state, but excursions made in recent years have pointed to a high conversion of native fields into crops. This situation has alerted to the intensification of biodiversity loss and the biological impoverishment of these fields. In view of the above, this study characterizes plant diversity in fields of the southern and western portion of RS. The study was based on publications of recent years that indicate the problems that effectively threaten this diversity. Pampa fields are natural and have a great diversity, constituting a considerable genetic heritage, ensuring the provision of ecosystem services to human populations. The few bioprospecting studies on species from these fields suggest that much remains to be discovered and that actions need to be taken to inhibit field destruction. These fields have never been treated as priority areas for conservation, but it is our commitment to reverse this transformation and destruction.No Brasil, os ecossistemas campestres do Pampa estão restritos ao Rio Grande do Sul (RS) e constituem a maior área de pastagem natural de clima temperado do mundo. Não existem dados recentes que indiquem o quanto se perdeu desses campos no RS, mas excursões realizadas nos últimos anos têm possibilitado a percepção de que é alta a conversão dessas áreas nativas em lavouras. Tal situação tem alertado para a intensificação da perda da diversidade e do empobrecimento biológico desses campos. Diante disso, o estudo objetivou caracterizar a diversidade vegetal dos campos da metade sul e oeste do RS, baseado em publicações dos últimos anos. Os campos pampeanos são naturais, com grande biodiversidade, constituindo um considerável patrimônio genético, garantindo a prestação de serviços ecossistêmicos para as populações humanas. Os poucos estudos de bioprospecção com espécies desses campos sugerem que muito ainda pode ser descoberto e que é preciso implantar ações para inibir a destruição dos mesmos. Esses campos nunca foram tratados como áreas prioritárias para a conservação, no entanto, é nosso compromisso reverter esse quadro de transformação e destruição

Use of Vermicompost in Pepper Cultive in Cd Contaminated Soil

The recurring presence of heavy metals in the soil may contaminate vegetables that are subsequently consumed by humans. Depending on the concentration, the presence of substances such as cadmium (Cd) in the human body can lead to many diseases. Due to this, it is important to conduct studies that provide quantification and removal possibilities of these elements in contaminated soils.  In this sense, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the use of vermicompost to reduce Cd uptake in pepper and study of the effects in the plants growing. To conduct the experiments, plastic worm reactors containing earthworms (Eisenia andrei) were prepared and filled with different organic matters. After 60 days with controlled temperature and humidity, the vermicompost was collected and mixed with Cd contaminated soil in different proportions, such 0:100; 25:75; 50:50; 75:25 and 100:0 of vermicompost:soil, respectively. After, plants of Capsicum annuum L. were cultivated and 70 days later, the plants were harvested, cleaned, measured, weighed and dried. Moisture, height, fresh and dry masses, fruit protein and Cd were analyzed in the vegetables. The results showed Cd presence in the plants affected the development of the peppers’ shoots and caused a reduction fruits production. Using vermicompost mixed with the soil improved plant development and uptake Cd was reduced to the plants. The best results of plant development were reached in proportions 50% of vermicompost. In conclusion, it is possible to grow pepper on soil contaminated with Cd provided it has a certain amount of vermicompost in the substrate