La cobertura de semillas y los períodos de sequía en la temporada de lluvias interfieren con el éxito de la siembra directa en la restauración de áreas mineras en las sabanas tropicales.

Entre las limitaciones para el uso de la siembra directa en la restauración ecológica de áreas severamente degradadas en las sabanas tropicales se destaca la asociación entre períodos de sequía y el sustrato inhóspito. En este trabajo se evaluó si la cobertura de las semillas por una capa de suelo y si la adición de una fina capa de tierra vegetal (topsoil) al sustrato degradado interfieren con el establecimiento de las plantas nativas en un área degradada. También se midió cómo las variaciones en las precipitaciones afectan los resultados de la siembra directa durante el período de estudio. Se evaluó el establecimiento de plántulas de siete especies nativas bajo cuatro condiciones diferentes: 1) sembradas sobre sustrato degradado, 2) cubiertas por una capa de 1 cm del sustrato degradado, 3) sembradas sobre una capa de tierra vegetal (topsoil) de 1 cm, y 4) cubiertas por una capa de 1 cm de tierra vegetal. En general, las especies con semillas más pequeñas mostraron mayores porcentajes de establecimiento en los tratamientos en que las semillas se depositaron sobre el sustrato. Las leguminosas, que tienen semillas más grandes, lograron mejores porcentajes de establecimiento cuando sus semillas estaban cubiertas por el sustrato. La adición de tierra vegetal fue beneficiosa para Bulbostylis fimbriata (Cyperaceae), mientras que para las otras especies no tuvo ningún efecto o fue perjudicial. Los datos también mostraron que la cantidad y distribución de la lluvia afecta los porcentajes de establecimiento. La siembra directa es una alternativa ventajosa para la restauración ecológica de áreas degradadas en las sabanas tropicales. Incrementar el conocimiento del manejo de la siembra y el comportamiento de las especies nativas puede contribuir a mejorar la eficiencia de esta técnica.Among the limitations for the use of direct seeding in the ecological restoration of severely degraded areas in tropical grasslands, the association between dry periods and an inhospitable substrate stands out. This work evaluated whether covering seed with a soil layer and the addition of a thin topsoil layer to the degraded substrate interferes with native plant establishment in degraded areas. The effect of rainfall variations on direct seeding results was also measured. The establishment of seven native species was evaluated under four different conditions: 1) seeding on degraded substrate, 2) seeding covered by 1 cm degraded substrate layer, 3) seeding on 1cm topsoil layer, and 4) seeding covered by 1 cm topsoil layer. In general, species with smaller seeds showed higher establishment percentages in treatments in which seeds were deposited on the substrate. Legume species, which have larger seeds, achieved better establishment percentage when seeds were covered by the substrate. The addition of topsoil was beneficial for Bulbostylis fimbriata (Cyperaceae), while for the other species, the effect was null or harmful. Data also showed that rainfall amount and distribution affected the establishment rate. Direct seeding is an advantageous alternative for the ecological restoration of tropical grassland degraded by mining. Better knowledge on sowing management and behavior of native species can contribute to improving the efficiency of this technique.Fil: Figueiredo, Maurílio Assis. Federal University of Ouro Preto - Postgraduate Program in Crustal Evolution and Natural Resources, Ouro Preto, BrazilFil: Teixeira Braga Messias, Maria Cristina. Federal University of Ouro Preto - Department of Biodiversity, Evolution and Environment, Ouro Preto, BrazilFil: Garcia Praça Leite, Mariangela. Federal University of Ouro Preto - Department of of Geology, Ouro Preto, BrazilFil: Rodrigues Kozovits, Alessandra. Federal University of Ouro Preto - Department of Biodiversity, Evolution and Environment, Ouro Preto, Brazi

Integrative review of managed entry agreements : chances and limitations

Introduction: Managed Entry Agreements (MEAs) consist of a set of instruments to reduce the uncertainty and the budget impact of new high priced medicines; however, there are concerns. There is a need to critically appraise MEAs with their planned introduction in Brazil. Accordingly, the objective is to identify and appraise key attributes and concerns with MEAs among payers and their advisers, with the findings providing critical considerations for Brazil and other high- and middle-income countries. Methods: An integrative review approach was adopted. This involved a review of MEAs across countries. The review question was ‘What are the health technology MEAs that have been applied around the world?’ This review was supplemented with studies not retrieved in the search known to the senior level co-authors including key South American markets. Afterall, involved senior level decision makers and advisers providing guidance on potential advantages and disadvantages of MEAs and ways forward. Results: 25 studies were included in the review. Most MEAs included medicines (96.8%), focused on financial arrangements (43%), and included mostly antineoplastic medicines. Most countries kept key information confidential including discounts or had not published such data. Few details were found in the literature regarding South America. Our findings and inputs resulted in both advantages including reimbursement and disadvantages including concerns with data collection for outcome-based schemes. Conclusion: We are likely to see a growth in MEAs with the continual launch of new high priced and often complex treatments, coupled with increasing demands on resources. Whilst outcome based MEAs could be an important tool to improve access to new innovative medicines there are critical issues to address. Comparing knowledge, experiences and practices across countries is crucial to guide high- and middle-income countries when designing their future MEAs

Germinação de gramíneas nativas do Quadrilátero Ferrífero com potencial aplicação na recuperação de áreas degradadas.

As gramíneas nativas apresentam potencial para revegetação de áreas degradadas, no entanto, devido ao pouco conhecimento sobre sua biologia, dá-se preferência ao uso de espécies exóticas, que podem ser invasoras, afetando assim a biodiversidade local. No intuito de ampliar o conhecimento acerca da propagação via sementes de espécies nativas do Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF), e desta forma, indicar possíveis candidatas a aplicação na recuperação de áreas degradadas da região, este trabalho objetivou avaliar os padrões germinativos das seguintes gramíneas: Andropogon bicornis L.; Andropogon leucostachyus Kunth; Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen, Cenchrus brownii Roem. & Schult; Echinolaena inflexa (Poir.). Chase e Apochloa euprepes (Renvoize) Zuloaga & Morrone. As espiguetas (com presença ou não das estruturas que envolviam a cariopse, dependendo da espécie) foram submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: T1-controle; T2- umedecimento do substrato com 0,2% de nitrato de potássio, T3- aquecimento a 80 °C por 2 minutos, T4- escarificação com ácido sulfúrico (exceto gênero Andropogon) e para os gêneros Andropogon e Setaria, T5- armazenamento a temperatura ambiente e T6- armazenamento sob refrigeração. Os tratamentos foram realizados em 4 repetições de 25 cariopses colocadas para germinar a temperatura de 25 °C e iluminação constante. Variação significativa foi observada quando comparadas as quantidades de germinações ocorridas entre as semanas, entre os tratamentos e entre as espécies. Para o gênero Andropogon o tratamento mais eficiente foi T6, seguido por T2 em A. bicornis e T3 em A. leucostachyus. T6 também foi o tratamento mais eficiente para S. parviflora, seguido por T5 e T2. C. brownii apresentou resultados próximos sob T1, T2 e T3 (média 39%). E. inflexa e A. euprepes apresentaram altos índices de dormência que não foram superadas pelos tratamentos propostos. A. bicornis, A. leucostachyus, S. parviflora e C. brownii apresentaram maiores potenciais de germinação, sendo possíveis candidatas para recuperação de áreas degradas no QF. No entanto, ainda são necessários estudos complementares com os tratamentos mais eficientes e testes de germinação e estabelecimento em condições de campo.Native grasses are potential species to be used in land rehabilitation. However, due to the lack of better knowledge of their performance, preference is given to exotic plants, which may be invasive and negatively affect the local biodiversity. In order to better understand the propagation of native species of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (Minas Gerais, Brazil) using their seeds, and in so doing, indicate possible candidates for land rehabilitation, this study investigated the germination patterns of the following grasses: Andropogon bicornis L.; Andropogon leucostachyus Kunth; Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen; Cenchrus brownii Roem. & Schult; Echinolaena inflexa (Poir.) Chase, and Apochloa euprepes (Renvoize) Zuloaga & Morrone. The spikelets (depending on the species, removing or not the structures that surround the caryopsis) were treated as follows: T1-Control, T2- moistening with 0.2% potassium nitrate, T3-heating at 80 °C for 2 minutes, T4- scarification with sulfuric acid (except genus Andropogon) and, for genera Andropogon and Setaria T5- storage at room temperature and T6- refrigerated storage. The treatment was repeated four times for 25 caryopses incubated at 25 °C and constant light. Significant variation was observed when comparing germination rates from week to week, treatment to treatment and species to species. The most efficient treatment for genus Andropogon was T6, followed by T2 for A. bicornis and T3 for A. leucostachyus. T6 was also the most effective treatment for S. parviflora, followed by T5 and T2. C. brownii showed similar results when applying T1, T2 and T3 (mean 39%). E. inflexa and A. euprepes showed high levels of dormancy that were not overcome by the proposed treatments. A. bicornis, A. leucostachyus, S. parviflora and C. brownii showed higher germination potential, thus being possible candidates for the recovery of degraded areas. Future studies are indicated to find the most effective treatments for germination in field conditions

Growing Eremanthus erythropappus in crushed laterite : a promising alternative to topsoil for bauxite-mine revegetation.

Topsoil is the preferred substrate for areas requiring rehabilitation after bauxite ining. However, topsoil is sometimes lacking and so there is a need to test the suitability of other, locally available substrates. In an abandoned bauxite mine in Southeastern Brazil, small patches of native vegetation spontaneously established in shallow depressions over weathered laterite, suggesting that granulometric reduction may have facilitated the establishment of plants. To test this hypothesis, blocks of laterite collected in the area were crushed to simulate texture observed in the vegetation patches. Topsoil collected in a preserved ferruginous field near to the extraction area was also used as a substrate in which Eremanthus erythropappus seedlings, a native woody species, were grown. Seedlings were cultivated without fertilizers in these two substrates and also directly over the exposed and uncrushed laterite. The species proved to be very promising for the revegetation, showing a high survival rate in all substrates. Higher annual growth rates and higher final biomass values were observed in topsoil, but the granulometric reduction of laterite doubled plant growth rate in comparison to the exposed laterite. This result was likely due to the increased availability of essential nutrients to plants and to the improvement in physical conditions for root growth and functioning. Moreover, seedling allometry was not altered by the type of substrate, suggesting that the species was highly tolerant to the new substrate conditions, a fundamental characteristic for success of revegetation of bauxite extraction degraded area

Rock n' Seeds: A database of seed functional traits and germination experiments from Brazilian rock outcrop vegetation

Advancing functional ecology depends fundamentally on the availability of data on reproductive traits, including those from tropical plants, which have been historically underrepresented in global trait databases. Although some valuable databases have been created recently, they are mainly restricted to temperate areas and vegetative traits such as leaf and wood traits. Here, we present Rock n' Seeds, a database of seed functional traits and germination experiments from Brazilian rock outcrop vegetation, recognized as outstanding centers of diversity and endemism. Data were compiled through a systematic literature search, resulting in 103 publications from which seed functional traits were extracted. The database includes information on 16 functional traits for 383 taxa from 148 genera, 50 families, and 25 orders. These 16 traits include two dispersal, six production, four morphological, two biophysical, and two germination traits-the major axes of the seed ecological spectrum. The database also provides raw data for 48 germination experiments, for a total of 10,187 records for 281 taxa. Germination experiments in the database assessed the effect of a wide range of abiotic and biotic factors on germination and different dormancy-breaking treatments. Notably, 8255 of these records include daily germination counts. This input will facilitate synthesizing germination data and using this database for a myriad of ecological questions. Given the variety of seed traits and the extensive germination information made available by this database, we expect it to be a valuable resource advancing comparative functional ecology and guiding seed-based restoration and biodiversity conservation in tropical megadiverse ecosystems. There are no copyright restrictions on the data; please cite this paper when using the current data in publications; also the authors would appreciate notification of how the data are used in publications