Forest and connectivity loss simplify tropical pollination networks

Mutualistic interactions between plants and pollinators play an essential role in the organization and persistence of biodiversity. The structure of interaction networks mediates the resilience of local communities and ecosystem functioning to environmental changes. Hence, network structure conservation may be more critical for maintaining biodiversity and ecological services than the preservation of isolated species in changing landscapes. Here, we intensively surveyed seven 36 km(2) landscapes to empirically investigate the effects of forest loss and landscape configuration on the structure of plant-pollinator networks in understory vegetation of Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Our results indicate that forest loss and isolation affect the structure of the plant-pollinator networks, which were smaller in deforested landscapes, and less specialized as patch isolation increased. Lower nestedness and degree of specialization (HMODIFIER LETTER PRIME2) indicated that the remaining plant and bee species tend to be generalists, and many of the expected specialized interactions in the network were already lost. Because generalist species generate a cohesive interaction core in these networks, these simplified networks might be resistant to loss of peripheral species, but may be susceptible to the extinction of the most generalist species. We suggest that such a network pattern is an outcome of landscapes with a few remaining isolated patches of natural habitat. Our results add a new perspective to studies of plant-pollinator networks in fragmented landscapes, showing that those interaction networks might also be used to indicate how changes in natural habitat affect biodiversity and biotic interactions.Environmental Biolog

Cosmology with clusters of galaxies

In this Chapter I review the role that galaxy clusters play as tools to constrain cosmological parameters. I will concentrate mostly on the application of the mass function of galaxy clusters, while other methods, such as that based on the baryon fraction, are covered by other Chapters of the book. Since most of the cosmological applications of galaxy clusters rely on precise measurements of their masses, a substantial part of my Lectures concentrates on the different methods that have been applied so far to weight galaxy clusters. I provide in Section 2 a short introduction to the basics of cosmic structure formation. In Section 3 I describe the Press--Schechter (PS) formalism to derive the cosmological mass function, then discussing extensions of the PS approach and the most recent calibrations from N--body simulations. In Section 4 I review the methods to build samples of galaxy clusters at different wavelengths. Section 5 is devoted to the discussion of different methods to derive cluster masses. In Section 6 I describe the cosmological constraints, which have been obtained so far by tracing the cluster mass function with a variety of methods. Finally, I describe in Section 7 the future perspectives for cosmology with galaxy clusters and the challenges for clusters to keep playing an important role in the era of precision cosmology.Comment: 49 pages, 19 figures, Lectures for 2005 Guillermo Haro Summer School on Clusters, to appear in "Lecture notes in Physics" (Springer

Performance, effectiveness, and efficiency of honeybees as pollinators of Coffea arabica (Gentianales, Rubiaceae)

Studies in crop plants analyzing floral biology in conjunction with effectiveness and efficiency of pollinators on pollen transfer and fruit formation are not common, although they are essential to provide better management actions. On this base, we selected a farm in Bahia, Brazil, to study pollination on coffee plants (Coffea arabica L.). Specifically, we want to analyze if nectar traits influence visitor’s performance throughout flower lifetime and if honeybees (Apis mellifera scutellata Lepeletier, 1836) are effective and efficient for coffee pollination comparing fertilization and fructification among four experimental treatments: open (OP), wind (WP), cross (HCP), and single-visit bee pollination (SVBP). We found that honeybees collect both nectar and pollen from coffee flowers and transfer pollen on stigmas even after one visit. No differences were found among treatments regarding the number of pollen grains transferred on the stigmas (effectiveness). OP flowers showed a comparative lower efficiency (pollen tubes and fruit set) probably due to pollination failure as those flowers have a higher variability on the number of deposited pollen grains. Two of the treatments (HCP and SVBP) showed higher fertilization (measuring tubes until the end of the style). Pollen loads seem to be limited by a peak of pollen transference by pollinators, followed by the stabilization in the number of pollen grains deposited per stigma. Thus, reproduction of the coffee can be limited by the quality of pollen grains moved by pollinators instead of quantity. Management strategies should focus on monitoring bee density on plants for increasing pollen quality transfer on flowers trough maintaining the adequate proportions of seminatural habitats and/or the number of hives on agricultural fields according to the flowering of the crop.Fil: Hipólito, J.. Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Nunes, D. O.. Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia; Brasil. Universidade Federal da Bahia; BrasilFil: Angel-Coca, C.. Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia; Brasil. Universidade Federal da Bahia; BrasilFil: Mahlmann, T.. Instituto Nacional de Ciência E Tecnologia Em Estudos Interdisciplinares E Transdisciplinares Em Ecologia E Evolução; BrasilFil: Galetto, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Viana, B.F.. Universidade Federal da Bahia; Brasil. Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia; Brasi

Glyphosate in agronomic performance and seed quality of soybean with cp4-EPSPs and cry1Ac genes

The “second generation” of glyphosate-tolerant soybean (GT2 soybean) was developed through a different technique of insertion of the glyphosate-insensitive EPSPs gene, in comparison with “first generation” of glyphosate-tolerant soybean. However, there is not enough information available about glyphosate selectivity in GT2 soybean and the effects on the quality of seeds produced. The aim of this study was to evaluate tolerance to glyphosate and seed quality of soybean cultivar NS 6700 IPRO (GT2) with cp4-EPSPs and cry1Ac genes, after application at post-emergence (V4). The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with four replicates and seven treatments, or rates of glyphosate (0; 720; 1,440; 2,160; 2,880; 3,600; 4,320 g of acid equivalent − a.e. · ha−1). Assessments were performed for crop injury, SPAD index and variables related to agronomic performance and seed quality. A complementary trial with the same cultivar and treatments in a greenhouse was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications. Data analysis indicated no significant effect of glyphosate on V4 on agronomic performance and physiological quality of seeds, for two growing seasons. The soybean cultivar NS 6700 IPRO (GT2), with cp4-EPSPs and cry1Ac genes, was tolerant to glyphosate up to the maximum rate applied (4,320 g a.e. · ha−1) at post-emergence (V4). The quality of soybean seeds was not affected by glyphosate up to the maximum rate applied (4,320 g a.e. · ha−1) at post-emergence (V4)

Gas Exchanges And Leaf Npk Contents On Biofertilized In Melon Plant [trocas Gasosas E Teores Foliares De Npk Em Meloeiro Adubado Com Biofertilizantes]

The aim of this study was the evaluation of biofertilizing with different biofertilizer types applied in different doses. We tested gas exchanges and leaf NPK contents on the melon plant (Cucumis melo L.). The experiment was conducted at the experimental area of the UFC (Universidade Federak do Ceará), in Fortaleza, in the period from September (2011) to December (2011). The experimental design was that of randomized blocks in a factorial 2 × 4 + (2) arrangement, corresponding to two types of liquid biofertilizer (mixed aerobically fermented biofertilizer and simple anaerobically fermented bovine biofertilizer) and four fertilizer doses (0.5, 1.0 , 1.5 and 2.0 L plant -1 week-1), with two additional treatments (control and recommended mineral fertilization). We analyzed the following variables: transpiration, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis and leaf Nitrogen (N) content, leaf phosphorus (P) content and leaf potassium (K) content. Plants biofertilized with simple bovine biofertilizer showed higher photosynthetic and transpiration rates, while the mixed biofertilizer was more efficient in terms of stomatal conductance. The simple bovine biofertilizer provided higher leaf phosphorus contents, while mixed biofertilizer provided higher leaf nitrogen and leaf potassium contents, when compared to control and to mineral fertilization. At the end of the production cycle, the plants fertilized with mixed biofertilizer and simple were supplied in N and P, and deficient in K.84595601Boaretto, A.E., Raij, B.V., Silva, F.C., Chitolina, J.C., Tedesco, M.J., Carmo, C.A.F.S., Amostragem acondicionamento e preparo de amostras de plantas para análise química (2009) Brasília-DF: Embrapa Informação Tecnológica, 2, pp. 59-86. , In: Silva, F. C. (Org.). Manual de análises químicas de solos, plantas e fertilizantesBorges, F.R.M., Cultivo do pimentão sob água tratada por energização e doses de biofertilizante (2011) Fortaleza: Universidade Federal Do Ceará, p. 97. , Dissertação MestradoCardoso, A.F., Charlo, H.C., De, O., Ito, L.A., Corá, J.C., Braz, L.T., Teores foliares de nutrientes em melão rendilhado cultivado em fibra da casca de coco reutilizada (2010) Horticultura Brasileira, 28 (2), pp. S378-S384. , http://www.abhorticultura.com.br/eventosx/trabalhos/ev_4/ A3107_T5044_Comp.pdf, suplemento CD Rom,10 Out. 2012Cavalcante, L.F., Diniz, A.A., Santos, L.C.F., Dos Rebequi, A.M., Nunes, J.C., Brehm, M.A., Da, S., Teores foliares de macronutrientes em quiabeiro cultivado sob diferentes fontes e níveis de matéria orgânica (2010) Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 31 (1), pp. 19-28. , http://www.uel.br/revistas/uel/index.php/semagrarias/article/view/4886/ 4332, 26 Abr. 2011Cavalcante, L.F., Pereira, W.E., Curvêlo, C.R.S., Nascimento, J.A.M., Cavalcante, Í.H.L., Estado nutricional de pinheira sob adubação orgânica do solo (2012) Revista Ciência Agronômica, 43 (3), pp. 579-588. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-66902012000300022Duarte, A.K.A., Cardoso, M.O., Figueiredo, L., Crescimento e macronutrientes em mudas de melancia sob doses de adubo orgânico no substrato (2010) Horticultura Brasileira, 28 (2), pp. S1633-S1638. , http://www.abhorticultura.com.br/eventosx/trabalhos/ev_4/ A2554_T4010_Comp.pdf, suplemento CD Rom,05 Out. 2012Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - Embrapa. Sistema Brasileiro de Classificação de Solos (2006) Rio de Janeiro: Embrapa Solos, p. 306Erthal, V.J., Ferreira, P.A., Pereira, O.G., Matos, A.T., De. Características fisiológicas, nutricionais e rendimento de forrageiras fertigadas com água residuária de bovinocultura (2010) Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, 14 (5), pp. 458-466. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1415-43662010000500002Freire, G.M., Medeiros, J.F., Oliveira, F., De, A., Amâncio, M., Das, G., Pontes, N.C., De., M.L.S.A., Composto orgânico líquido via fertirrigação na cultura do meloeiro (2009) Bioscience Journal, 25 (5), pp. 49-55. , http://www.seer.ufu.br/index.php/biosciencejournal, 15 Jan. 2011Freire, J.L.O., Crescimento e desenvolvimento de maracujazeiro amarelo sob salinidade e uso de biofertilizante e cobertura (2011) Areia: Universidade Federal da Paraíba, p. 185. , Dissertação MestradoGonçalves, E.R., Ferreira, V.M., Silva, J.V., Endres, L., Barbosa, T.B., Duarte, W.G., Trocas gasosas e fluorescência da clorofila a em variedades de cana-de-açúcar submetidas à deficiência hídrica (2010) Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, 14 (4), pp. 378-386. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1415-43662010000400006SIDRA 97: Sistema IBGE de recuperação automática (2010) Rio de Janeiro: IBGE, , http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/economia/pam/2010/ PAM2010_Publicacao_completa.pdf, Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística - IBGE,23 Abr. 2013Malavolta, E., Vitti, G.C., Oliveira, S.A., De. Avaliação Do Estado Nutricional Das Plantas: Princípios E Aplicações (1997) Piracicaba: Potafos, p. 319Melo, D.M., Castoldi, R., Charlo, H.C., De, O., Galatti, F., De, S., Braz, L.T., Produção e qualidade de melão rendilhado sob diferentes substratos em cultivo protegido (2012) Caatinga, 25 (1), pp. 58-66. , http://periodicos.ufersa.edu.br/revistas/index.php/sistema, 01 Fev. 2013Neves, A.L.R., De Lacerda, C.F., Guimarães, F.V.A., Gomes Filho, E., Feitosa, C.F.C., Trocas gasosas e teores de minerais no feijão-de corda irrigado com água salina em diferentes estádios (2009) Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, 13, pp. 873-881. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1415-43662009000700009, (suplemento)Oliveira, A.E.S., Sá, J.R., Medeiros, J.F., Nogueira, N.W., Silva, K.J.P., Interação da adubação organo-mineral no estado nutricional das plantas (2010) Revista Verde, 5 (3), pp. 53-58. , http://www.gvaa.com.br/revista/index.php/RVADS/article/viewFile/305/305, 26 Abr. 2013Penteado, S.R., Adubação Orgânica: Compostos Orgânicos E Biofertilizantes (2007) Campinas: Edição Do Autor, p. 162Prado, R.M., Nutrição de Plantas (2008) São Paulo: Editora Unesp, p. 407Silva, F.L.B., Lacerda, C.F., Sousa, G.G., Neves, A.L.R., Silva, G.L., Sousa, C.H.C., Interação entre salinidade e biofertilizante bovino na cultura do feijão-de-corda (2011) Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, 15 (4), pp. 383-389. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1415-43662011000400009Silva, H.R., Marouelli, W.A., Silva, W.L.C., Silva, R.A., Oliveira, L.A., Rodrigues, A.G., Souza, A.F., Maeno, P., Cultivo do meloeiro para o norte de Minas Gerais (2000) Brasília: Embrapa Hortaliças, p. 22. , (Circular Técnica, 20)Taiz, L., Zeiger, E., (2009) Fisiologia Vegetal, p. 729. , Porto Alegre: ARTMEDTedesco, M.J., Gianello, C., Bissani, C.A., Bohnen, H., Volkweiss, S.J., Análise de solo, plantas e outros materiais (1995) Porto Alegre: UFRG, p. 174Temóteo, A.S., De., F.M.J., Dutra, I., De., A.O.F., Crescimento e acúmulo de nitrogênio e potássio pelo melão Pele de sapo fertirrigado (2010) Irriga, 15 (3), pp. 275-281. , http://irriga.fca.unesp.br/index.php/irriga/issue/current, 08 Fev. 2012Terceiro Neto, C.P.C., Medeiros, J.F., Gheyi, H.R., Dias, N., Da, S., De., A.R.O.F., Lima, K., Da, S., Acúmulo de matéria seca e nutrientes no meloeiro irrigado sob estratégias de manejo da salinidade (2012) Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, 16 (10), pp. 1069-1077. , http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1415-4366201200100000

Trap-nesting bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in areas of dry semideciduous forest and caatinga, Bahia, Brazil

In this study were examined the species richness and seasonal abundance of cavity-nesting bees in areas of dry semi-deciduous forest and caatinga in the State of Bahia, Brazil. Sampling was done employing two types of trap-nests: bamboo canes and tubes made of black cardboard with dimensions of either 58 x 6 mm or 105 x 8 mm. The traps were inspected once a month. One hundred and forty-six nests of 11 bee species were collected in the forest, and 121 nests of seven species were collected in the caatinga. Five species of cleptoparasitic bees were also reared from these nests. The highest nesting frequencies occurred in the wet season in both areas. Nests parasitism was important only for Centris tarsata Smith, 1874, and was higher at the caatinga site than in the forest. The mortality of pre-emergent adults was high, especially in C. tarsata,Tetrapedia diversipes Klug, 1810 and Euglossa cordata (Linnaeus, 1758). Information on the number of cells per nest, the size, shape, and arrangement of brood cells in the nests, as well as the number of adults produced and the number of generations per year are also presented. Species richness, temporal patterns of nesting, and percentage of parasitism were compared with other habitats.<br>Neste estudo foram investigadas a riqueza de espécies e a abundância sazonal de abelhas que nidificam em cavidades em áreas de Floresta estacional semi-decídua e Caatinga na Bahia. A amostragem foi realizada com dois tipos de ninhos-armadilha (= N.A.): gomos de bambu e tubos de cartolina preta (58 x 6 mm e 105 x 8 mm). Os N.A. foram inspecionados uma vez por mês. Foram coletados 146 ninhos de 11 espécies de abelhas na floresta e 121 ninhos de sete espécies na caatinga. Além disso, cinco espécies de abelhas cleptoparasitas foram criadas a partir destes ninhos. As freqüências de nidificação mais altas ocorreram na estação úmida em ambas as áreas. Parasitismo de ninhos foi importante apenas para Centris tarsata Smith, 1874, e foi mais alto na caatinga do que na área de floresta. A mortalidade de adultos pré-emergentes foi alta, especialmente em C. tarsata,Tetrapedia diversipes Klug, 1810 e Euglossa cordata (Linnaeus, 1758). Informações sobre o número de células por ninho, tamanho, forma e arranjo das células nos ninhos, assim como o número de adultos produzidos e o número de gerações por ano foram também apresentados. A riqueza de espécies, os padrões temporais de nidificação e o percentual de parasitismo foram comparados com outros habitats