ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

TREE COMMUNITY OF A PERMANENT FLOODED FOREST AND ITS ADJACENT VEGETATION AREA IN OURO PRETO, MINAS GERAIS STATE, BRAZIL

A presente investigação teve como objetivo levantar a composição florística e a estrutura fitossociológica da comunidade arbórea de uma mancha florestal permanentemente alagada, também conhecida como Floresta Paludosa, e de sua vegetação adjacente (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual Alto Montana) localizada no Parque Estadual do Itacolomi, Ouro Preto e Mariana, estado de Minas Gerais. O trecho estudado encontra-se a 1.350m de altitude, sendo o tipo climático ocorrente na região o Cwb, conforme a classificação de Köeppen, com pluviosidade média anual variando de 1.100mm a 1.800mm e temperatura média anual de 17,4 ºC a 19,8 ºC. Para o levantamento fitossociológico foram alocadas quatorze parcelas (10m x 30m), sendo sete em cada fisionomia, nas quais foram amostrados todos os indivíduos com CAP (circunferência a altura do peito) ≥ 15cm. Foram amostrados 1.136 indivíduos distribuídos em 24 famílias, 37 gêneros e 53 espécies. As famílias com maior riqueza foram Myrtaceae (11), Melastomataceae (5) e Annonaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae e Rubiaceae (3). A similaridade entre os fragmentos pode ser considerada relativamente baixa e menor do que o esperado, revelando a existência de unidades fitogeográficas individualizadas com características florísticas distintas. A influência diferencial da formação adjacente sob a vegetação paludícola pode ser o fator mais importante na diferenciação florística deste fragmento florestal em relação às diversas áreas florestais alagadas montanas no Brasil.The present study aimed to raise the floristic composition and the phytosociological structure of the tree community of an permanent flooded swamp forest known as 'Floresta Padulosa' as well as its adjacent vegetation (semi-deciduous seasonal forest 'Alto Montana') in Itacolomi State Park, Ouro Preto and Mariana, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The study site is located at an altitude of 1,350m, and the regional climate is classified as Cwb by Köppen's system, with average annual rainfall varying from 1.100mm to 1.800mm and the average annual temperature from 17.4 ºC to 19.8 ºC. In order to make the phytosociological survey 14 plots (10m X 30m) were located, seven in each physiognomy, and all individuals with a minimum CBH (Circunference at Breast Height) of 15cm were sampled. A total of 1136 individuals were sampled, belonging to 24 families, 37 genders and 53 species. The families with higher richness values were Myrtaceae (11), Melastomataceae (5) and Annonaceae, Fabaceae and Rubiaceae (3). The similarity among the studied fragments can be considered lower than expected, showing the existence of individual phytogeographic units, with distinct floristic characteristics. The influence of the adjacent vegetation on the swamp forest may be the most important factor in its floristic differentiation if compared to other swamps areas of Brazil

Tree community of a permanent flooded forest and its adjacent vegetation area in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais state, Brazil.

A presente investigação teve como objetivo levantar a composição florística e a estrutura fitossociológica da comunidade arbórea de uma mancha florestal permanentemente alagada, também conhecida como Floresta Paludosa, e de sua vegetação adjacente (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual Alto Montana) localizada no Parque Estadual do Itacolomi, Ouro Preto e Mariana, estado de Minas Gerais. O trecho estudado encontra-se a 1.350m de altitude, sendo o tipo climático ocorrente na região o Cwb, conforme a classificação de Köeppen, com pluviosidade média anual variando de 1.100mm a 1.800mm e temperatura média anual de 17,4 ºC a 19,8 ºC. Para o levantamento fitossociológico foram alocadas quatorze parcelas (10m x 30m), sendo sete em cada fisionomia, nas quais foram amostrados todos os indivíduos com CAP (circunferência a altura do peito) ≥ 15cm. Foram amostrados 1.136 indivíduos distribuídos em 24 famílias, 37 gêneros e 53 espécies. As famílias com maior riqueza foram Myrtaceae (11), Melastomataceae (5) e Annonaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae e Rubiaceae (3). A similaridade entre os fragmentos pode ser considerada relativamente baixa e menor do que o esperado, revelando a existência de unidades fitogeográficas individualizadas com características florísticas distintas. A influência diferencial da formação adjacente sob a vegetação paludícola pode ser o fator mais importante na diferenciação florística deste fragmento florestal em relação às diversas áreas florestais alagadas montanas no Brasil.The present study aimed to raise the floristic composition and the phytosociological structure of the tree community of an permanent flooded swamp forest known as ‘Floresta Padulosa’ as well as its adjacent vegetation (semi-deciduous seasonal forest ‘Alto Montana’) in Itacolomi State Park, Ouro Preto and Mariana, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The study site is located at an altitude of 1,350m, and the regional climate is classified as Cwb by Köppen’s system, with average annual rainfall varying from 1.100mm to 1.800mm and the average annual temperature from 17.4 ºC to 19.8 ºC. In order to make the phytosociological survey 14 plots (10m X 30m) were located, seven in each physiognomy, and all individuals with a minimum CBH (Circunference at Breast Height) of 15cm were sampled. A total of 1136 individuals were sampled, belonging to 24 families, 37 genders and 53 species. The families with higher richness values were Myrtaceae (11), Melastomataceae (5) and Annonaceae, Fabaceae and Rubiaceae (3). The similarity among the studied fragments can be considered lower than expected, showing the existence of individual phytogeographic units, with distinct floristic characteristics. The influence of the adjacent vegetation on the swamp forest may be the most important factor in its floristic differentiation if compared to other swamps areas of Brazil

COMUNIDADE ARBÓREA DE UMA MANCHA FLORESTAL PERMANENTEMENTE ALAGADA E DE SUA VEGETAÇÃO ADJACENTE EM OURO PRETO-MG, BRASIL

The present study aimed to raise the floristic composition and the phytosociological structure of the tree community of an permanent flooded swamp forest known as 'Floresta Padulosa' as well as its adjacent vegetation (semi-deciduous seasonal forest 'Alto Montana') in Itacolomi State Park, Ouro Preto and Mariana, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The study site is located at an altitude of 1,350m, and the regional climate is classified as Cwb by Köppen¿s system, with average annual rainfall varying from 1.100mm to 1.800mm and the average annual temperature from 17.4 ºC to 19.8 ºC. In order to make the phytosociological survey 14 plots (10m X 30m) were located, seven in each physiognomy, and all individuals with a minimum CBH (Circunference at Breast Height) of 15cm were sampled. A total of 1136 individuals were sampled, belonging to 24 families, 37 genders and 53 species. The families with higher richness values were Myrtaceae (11), Melastomataceae (5) and Annonaceae, Fabaceae and Rubiaceae (3). The similarity among the studied fragments can be considered lower than expected, showing the existence of individual phytogeographic units, with distinct floristic characteristics. The influence of the adjacent vegetation on the swamp forest may be the most important factor in its floristic differentiation if compared to other swamps areas of Brazil

Métodos de Coloração de Roeser (1972) modificado e Kropp (1972) visando a substituição do azul de astra por azul de alcião 8GS e 8GX.

(Métodos de coloração de Roeser (l972) - modificado - e Kropp (1972) visando a substituição do azul de astra por azul de alcião 8GS ou 8GX). Em folhas de Lychnophora ericoides, Coffea arabica e Nymphaea mexicana foram testados métodos de coloração baseados em Roeser (1972) modificado e Kropp (1972), visando a substituição do corante azul de astra por azul de alcião 8GS ou 8GX. As amostras foram fixadas em FAA, desidratadas em série butílica terciária e incluídas em parafina. Os cortes histológicos transversais foram corados segundo diferentes baterias de coloração, modificadas quanto ao tipo de corante usado, diferenciador e série de desidratação. As lâminas permanentes foram preparadas com bálsamo-do-canadá sintético. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que o método de Roeser (1972) modificado é melhor que o de Kropp (1972), nas condições deste experimento. O azul de astra pode ser substituído por azul de alcião 8GX e a desidratação pode ser em série isopropílica ou etílica, sem grande diferença entre elas. São discutidos os resultados provenientes das diferentes colorações.(Staining methods of modified Roeser (1972) and Kropp (1972), aiming at substituing the astra blue by aleian blue 8GS or 8GX). Staining methods based on modified Roeser (1972) as well as that of Kropp (l972) were done with leaves of Lychnop/lOra ericoides, Cojlea arabica and NympILaea mexicana aiming at substituing the astra blue stain by alcian blue 8GS or 8GX. Samples were fixed in FAA, dehydrated in te11-butyl aleohol series and embedded in paraffin. The histological transversal sections were stained in different staining batteries. Modified according to the type of stains and differentiators, and the series of dehydration. Permanent si ides were prepared with synthetic Canada balsam. The results obtained indicate that the modified Roeser method (1972) is better than that of Kropp (1972) under present experimental conditions. The astra blue can be substituted by alcian blue 8GX and dehydration can be isopropylic or ethylic, with little difference between them. The results obtained with the different staining techniques used are discussed

ASSESSMENT OF A 5-YEAR-OLD REHABILITATED RIPARIAN FOREST: IS IT ALREADY SUSTAINABLE?

ABSTRACTAs important as the establishment of projects of ecological restoration is its assessment post-implementation to know whether the area is becoming self-sustainable or need to be redirected. In this way, this study aimed to know the current situation of a 5-year-old rehabilitated riparian forest,inserted in an anthropogenic impacted region,at the das Velhas River, Minas Gerais State, studying the canopy openness and recruitment of seedlings as plant indicators. 15 plots were allocated in the forest, where hemispherical photographs were taken to analyze the canopy openness and evaluate all seedlings from 0.30 m to 1.30 m height.Canopy openness ranged from 23.7% to 38.8% between seasons and only 192 seedlings were found,from 13 species, five of them exotic and aggressive. Although canopy openness was low, it seems that lateral penetration of light has been favoring the development and dominancy of plants from invasive species, whereas few native ones have been recruited. The exotic/invasive plants may compromise the success of restoration mainly by competition with native planted species. The outcomes evidenced an unsustainability of the riparian forest and the requirement of some management actions to control exotic and invasive plants and ensure the preservation of the area and its ecological roles over time

Key plant indicators for monitoring areas undergoing restoration : acase study at the Das Velhas River, southeast Brazil.

tIn restoration ecology, the search for key variables which allows an informative and concise diagnosison areas undergoing restoration is still a challenge. Choosing which indicators to use is a fundamentaldecision when proposing monitoring of any restored area. Here, we have aimed to contribute with theselection of key indicators by identifying plant parameters that are useful to assess restored areas inusing a 5-year-old rehabilitated riparian forest as a case study. Initially, we used 14 descriptors to assessthe ecosystem attributes of structure, diversity and ecological processes, and then we conducted a modelselection to identify variables that best explained the restoration success (defined as the richness of nativetree species). Our final model contained six parameters: native tree species (the response variable), nativeand exotic species of other life forms, basal area, tree density, and canopy openness) and an adjusted R2of 92%. As the predictive model doesn?t contain variables related to ecological processes, we includedseedling recruitment or litterfall production to evaluate this attribute. The selected indicators evidencedthat the tree layer has yet to develop and accumulate biomass, the forest has been enriched by speciesof other life forms (although many of them were exotic and invasive), and exotic tree and shrub specieswere dominating seedling recruitment. Such a scenario is likely to occur because the forest is locatedin an anthropogenic region, and highlights the importance of conserving remnant areas as propagulesources. We suggest some managing actions for the area, and conclude that not all measured indicatorswere necessary to facilitate good vision about the studied forest (because many had collinear responses),which may be important for directing other monitoring projects and save time and money

Produção, decomposição e qualidade nutricional da serapilheira foliar em uma floresta paludosa de altitude Nutrient cycling in a high-altitude swamp forest

Florestas paludosas são ecossistemas com ocorrência restrita a solos hidromórficos, sujeitos à presença superficial de água devido ao afloramento do lençol freático, onde a diversidade e o estabelecimento da vegetação dependem de sua adaptabilidade às condições de saturação hídrica e baixa oxigenação do solo. Este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar aspectos da ciclagem de N e P em uma floresta paludosa no Parque Estadual do Itacolomi, MG, através de mensurações da produção, qualidade nutricional e decomposição da serapilheira foliar durante o período de outubro de 2006 a setembro de 2007. A produção anual média de serapilheira não apresentou variações espaciais e foi de 5.7 t ha-1, com pico de produção em setembro. A fração foliar foi responsável por 57% da produção total de serapilheira e apresentou concentrações de N, P e K de 12,6; 0,616 e 3,07 g kg-1, respectivamente. A porcentagem de perda de massa durante a decomposição de serapilheira foi inversamente correlacionada com o conteúdo de água no solo, variando de 29,2% a 46,2%. A razão N:P da serapilheira foliar sugere que a vegetação cresça sob limitação por P. Considerando-se os parâmetros avaliados, a floresta paludosa apresentou um taxa de ciclagem de nutrientes lenta, principalmente em razão da baixa qualidade nutricional da serapilheira e sua lenta decomposição, em comparação com valores obtidos em outros estudos em ecossistemas florestais tropicais úmidos.Swamp forests are ecosystems restricted to hydromorphic soils which are subject to the presence of surface water due to upwelling of groundwater. The diversity and establishment of plant communities depend on adaptability to conditions of flooding and low oxygen in the soil. This study aimed to characterize aspects of N and P cycling in a swamp forest in Itacolomi Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil, by measuring parameters such as litterfall, nutrient quality and decomposition of leaf litter during the period October 2006 to September 2007. Mean annual litter production was 5.7 t ha-1, with peak production in September. The leaf fraction accounted for 57% of total litterfall, and concentrations of N, P and K were 12.6, 0.616 and 3.07 g kg-1, respectively. Leaf-mass loss during litter decomposition was negatively correlated to soil water content, varying between 29.2 and 46.2%. The N:P ratio of leaf litter suggests that the vegetation grows under P-limitation. Taking into account the evaluated parameters, the swamp forest showed a slower rate of nutrient cycling, mainly due to low litter nutrient quality and slower litter decomposition rate when compared with other wet tropical forests