The eradication of feral goats and its impact on plant biodiversity - a milestone in the history of Trindade Island, Brazil

Abstract The recent signs of recovery of the native and endemic flora of Trindade Island, Brazil, are attributed to the eradication of vertebrates which were introduced on the 18th Century. Three centuries of devastation lead to the disappearance of endemic plant species and to a drastic reduction of vegetation cover and sea bird populations. In 2005 the Brazilian Navy concluded the eradication of feral goats, resulting in the early expansion of vegetation cover on previously barren areas. The only remaining invasive vertebrates are the house mice. This fact represents a milestone in the natural history of Trindade and shall encourage new conservation research on the Island

Longevity of the Brazilian underground tree <italic>Jacaranda decurrens</italic> Cham.

<p id="para1">Underground trees are a rare clonal growth form. In this survey we describe the branching pattern and estimate the age of the underground tree <italic>Jacaranda decurrens</italic> Cham. (Bignoniaceae), an endangered species from the Brazilian Cerrado, with a crown diameter of 22 meters. The mean age calculated for the individual was 3,801 years, making it one of the oldest known living Neotropical plants.</p><br><p id="para2">&#193;rvores subterr&#226;neas s&#227;o uma forma rara de crescimento clonal. Neste estudo descrevemos o padr&#227;o de ramifica&#231;&#227;o e estimamos a idade da &#225;rvore subterr&#226;nea <italic>Jacaranda decurrens</italic> Cham. (Bignoniaceae), uma esp&#233;cie amea&#231;ada do Cerrado Brasileiro, com um di&#226;metro de &#8220;copa&#8221; 22 metros. A idade m&#233;dia calculada para o indiv&#237;duo foi de 3.801 anos, o que o torna uma das mais longevas plantas Nepotropicais.</p