Enhancing Access to Legal Data through Ontology-based Representation:A Case Study with Brazilian Judicial Appeals

In Brazil, legal requirements for public information access, as mandated by Law no 12.527/2011, have amplified the role of the open data portals in disseminating data of collective and general interest. Despite legal provisions, there are persistent difficulties in presenting data in first-class semantic formats, which ultimately creates obstacles for digital citizens to fully exercise their newfound rights to information access. These obstacles can be addressed by building semantic data warehouses to enhance the use of open data through computational ontologies. In this paper, we demonstrate the use of a well-founded legal ontology for representing data from legal decisions extracted from a Brazilian judicial organ website. We focused our approach on a specific type of appeal in the Brazilian legal system, the Request for Standardization (RS) of interpretation of federal law, which seeks to standardize the understanding of the Appeals Panels of Federal Special Courts. Employing web scraping techniques, we built a complete ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) process to triplify data on RS appeals and their rulings. We used a gUFO-based OWL renderization of a previously developed OntoUML ontology (called OntoRS) to transform the extracted data into a suitable RDF format and populate a Virtuoso triple store. Thus, the OntoRS ontology allowed us to perform SPARQL queries to obtain new insights, metrics and small RDF graphs.</p

Biomassa e nutrientes da serapilheira em diferentes coberturas florestais

This study aimed to assess biomass and nutrients from the litter in a conservation area in themunicipality of Alegre, ES. The study was conducted in three different forest covers included in theArea of Ecological Interest (ARIE) Laerth Paiva Gama, being a Native Forest (MN), a Reforestationof Eucalyptus and Acacia (REA) and Reforestation of several species (RED). The litter layer wasmeasured by the amount of biomass, the content and accumulation of nutrients in both harvests,the first in the late dry season and the second end of the rainy season. In all the coatings, thequantity of biomass was greater in the dry and followed values decreasing the amount of biomassin both forest cover: REA &gt; RED&gt; MN. The levels of potassium, magnesium and boron, present inthe litter were higher in the dry season, however the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur,copper, iron, manganese and zinc, and organic carbon content did not differ between periods ofcollection, only being discrepant between forest cover, no seasonal variation. The type of forestcover has little influence on the levels of nutrients and in the dry season the accumulation of litter,potassium, magnesium and boron were also indifferent to this variable.Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a biomassa e os nutrientes da serapilheira acumuladaem uma Unidade de Conservação localizada no município de Alegre, ES. O estudo foi realizadoem três diferentes coberturas florestais inseridas na Área de Relevante Interesse Ecológico (ARIE)Laerth Paiva Gama, sendo uma Mata Nativa (MN), um Reflorestamento de Eucalipto e Acácia(REA) e um Reflorestamento de Espécies Diversas (RED). A serapilheira acumulada foi avaliadapela quantidade de biomassa, pelos teores e acúmulo de nutrientes em duas épocas de coleta,sendo a primeira no final da estação seca e a segunda no final da estação chuvosa. Em todas ascoberturas, a quantidade de biomassa foi maior na estação seca e os valores seguiram a ordemdecrescente na quantidade de biomassa em ambas as coberturas florestais: REA &gt; RED &gt; MN. Osteores de potássio, magnésio e boro presentes na serapilheira, foram mais elevados na estaçãoseca, entretanto os teores de nitrogênio, fósforo, cálcio, enxofre, cobre, ferro, manganês e zinco,e o teor de carbono orgânico não diferenciaram entre os períodos de coleta, sendo discrepantesapenas entre as coberturas florestais, não apresentando variação sazonal. O tipo de coberturaflorestal exerceu pouca influência nos teores dos nutrientes e na estação seca o acúmulo deserapilheira, potássio, magnésio e boro também foram indiferentes para essa variável. Biomass and nutrients of accumulated litter in different forest coversAbstractThis study aimed to assess biomass and nutrients from the litter in a conservation area in themunicipality of Alegre, ES. The study was conducted in three different forest covers included in theArea of Ecological Interest (ARIE) Laerth Paiva Gama, being a Native Forest (MN), a Reforestationof Eucalyptus and Acacia (REA) and Reforestation of several species (RED). The litter layer wasmeasured by the amount of biomass, the content and accumulation of nutrients in both harvests,the first in the late dry season and the second end of the rainy season. In all the coatings, thequantity of biomass was greater in the dry and followed values decreasing the amount of biomassin both forest cover: REA &gt; RED&gt; MN. The levels of potassium, magnesium and boron, present inthe litter were higher in the dry season, however the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur,copper, iron, manganese and zinc, and organic carbon content did not differ between periods ofcollection, only being discrepant between forest cover, no seasonal variation. The type of forestcover has little influence on the levels of nutrients and in the dry season the accumulation of litter,potassium, magnesium and boron were also indifferent to this variable

A list of land plants of Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Brazil, highlights the presence of sampling gaps within this protected area

Brazilian protected areas are essential for plant conservation in the Atlantic Forest domain, one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots. A major challenge for improving conservation actions is to know the plant richness, protected by these areas. Online databases offer an accessible way to build plant species lists and to provide relevant information about biodiversity. A list of land plants of “Parque Nacional do Caparaó” (PNC) was previously built using online databases and published on the website "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil." Here, we provide and discuss additional information about plant species richness, endemism and conservation in the PNC that could not be included in the List. We documented 1,791 species of land plants as occurring in PNC, of which 63 are cited as threatened (CR, EN or VU) by the Brazilian National Red List, seven as data deficient (DD) and five as priorities for conservation. Fifity-one species were possible new ocurrences for ES and MG states

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

Floristics and structure of a fragment of montane forest in Serra do Valentim, Iúna, Espírito Santo

Os objetivos deste estudo foram listar as espécies de um trecho de Floresta Ombrófila Montana Serra do Valentim, verificar a distribuição geográfica das mesmas e analisar a estrutura e similaridade florística. Foram coletados materiais botânicos férteis de árvores, arbustos, ervas, epífitas, trepadeiras e lianas ao longo de trilhas e picadas em 25 idas a campo entre os anos de 2011 e 2012. Foi registrado um total de 391 espécies, 220 gêneros e 99 famílias. Dentre estas, 27 foram consideradas ameaçadas de extinção, três endêmicas para o estado do Espírito Santo e três possíveis novas para a ciência. O padrão geográfico mais encontrado foi o neotropical, embora muitas espécies (cerca de 10%) estivessem restritas à vegetação de Mata Atlântica do sudeste do Brasil. A estrutura da vegetação foi analisada num total de 10 transectos de dimensões 50 x 2 metros, sendo registrados todos os indivíduos (vivos e mortos), entre árvores, arbustos e lianas, com DAP&#8805;2,5 cm. Foi mensurado o diâmetro para todos os indivíduos e a altura total foi estimada apenas para os indivíduos vivos. A similaridade florística foi estimada através do índice de Bray-Curtis e o algoritmo WPGMA foi utilizado para agrupar as vegetações referentes a 12 listagens florísticas. Foram encontradas 146 espécies, 95 gêneros e 53 famílias, sendo a espécie com maior valor de importância Euterpe edulis Mart. O índice de Shanon (H =3,60 nats/ind.) foi próximo ao encontrado para florestas bem preservadas da Mata Atlântica e o índice de Pielou (J=0,72) foi considerado elevado. Os valores de similaridade foram baixos revelando pouca consistência na análise de agrupamento. Os resultados demonstraram a grande lacuna existente em termos de conhecimento florístico para as vegetações do estado do Espírito Santo, bem como para a região do entorno do Caparaó, sugerindo um processo de intensificação de coletas e estudos estruturais e florísticos, em face da grande riqueza encontrada. A distinção da vegetação da Serra do Valentim em relação às demais analisadas representa a heterogeneidade existente ao longo da Mata Atlântica em resposta a diversos fatores, entre fisiográficos, edáficos, climáticos e altimétricos. Estes fatores contribuem para a formação de centros de diversidade pontuais restritos a pequenas regiões. Diante da riqueza encontrada, da flora ameaçada, do nível de endemismo e das possíveis novas espécies, a Serra do Valentim é merecedora de políticas de conservaçãoThe objectives of this study were to list the species a stretch montane rain forest Serra do Valentim, verify the geographical distribution of the same and analyze the structure and floristic similarity. F ertile botanical materials were collected from trees, shrubs, herbs, epiphytes, vines and lianas along tracks and trails on 25 field trips between the years 2011 and 2012. A total of 391 species, 220 genera and 99 families were registered. Among these, 27 were considered endangered, three endemic to the state of Espírito Santo, and three possible new to science. The most geographical pattern found was neotropical, although many species (about 10%) were restricted to Atlantic Forest vegetation in southeastern Brazil. The vegetation structure was analyzed in a total of 10 transects of dimensions 50 x 2 meters, and recorded all individuals (living and dead), among trees, shrubs and lianas with DBH &#8805; 2.5 cm. Diameter was measured for all individuals and the overall height was estimated only for individuals alive. The floristic similarity was estimated using the Bray-Curtis index and WPGMA algorithm was used to group the vegetation related to 12 floristic listings. Were found 146 species, 95 genera and 53 families, and the species with the highest importance value was Euterpe edulis Mart. The Shanon index (H = 3.60 nats / ind.) was close to that found for the unspoilt forests of the Atlantic Forest and the Pielou index (J = 0.72) was considered high. The similarity values were low revealing lacking consistency in cluster analysis. The results showed the large gap in terms of floristic knowledge to the vegetation of the state of Espírito Santo, as well as the area surrounding the Caparaó, suggesting a process of intensification of collections and floristic and structural studies, due to the great wealth found. The distinction of the vegetation from Serra do Valentim in relation the others analyzed represents the heterogeneity along the Atlantic in response to several factors, among physiographic, edaphic, climatic and altimetric. These factors contribute to the formation of punctual centers of diversity restricted to small regions. Given the wealth found, threatened flora, level of endemism and possible new species, Serra do Valentim is worthy of conservation policie

New records and range extension of the recently reestablished Lamanonia ulei (Engl.) L.B. Sm. (Cunoniaceae): notes on taxonomy and conservation

We report new records of the recently reestablished Lamanonia ulei (Engl.) L.B.Sm. (Cunoniaceae) from southeastern Brazil. This species is currently known by only eight specimens from Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo states. We present seven new records that include Espírito Santo state in the species distribution, and expand its north and east limits of occurrence. We also present a taxonomic description, photos, occurrence map, conservation status assessment of L. ulei, and an identification key for all the species of Lamanonia Vell. from Brazil

Inventários florísticos na região do Caparaó Capixaba revelam novos registros para a flora do Espírito Santo

Resumo Inventários florísticos realizados ao sul do estado do Espírito Santo nos últimos anos têm auxiliado a preencher lacunas de coleta de plantas especialmente em áreas de difícil acesso, como a região do Caparaó. Estes estudos resultaram na descoberta de sete espécies de Angiospermas, de ocorrência previamente desconhecida para o estado, coletadas nas Serras do Caparaó e do Valentim. Os materiais coletados foram depositados no herbário VIES. A distribuição geográfica global foi mapeada por meio dos dados obtidos nos sítios Herbário Virtual Reflora e Flora do Brasil 2020. Os sete novos registros aqui reportados para o Espírito Santo pertencem a sete famílias diferentes de Angiospermas: Annonaceae (Guatteria pohliana), Apocynaceae (Peplonia adnata), Asteraceae (Mikania clematidifolia), Cunoniaceae (Weinmannia pinnata), Melastomataceae (Leandra quinquedentata e Pleroma foveolatum) e Ochnaceae (Ouratea campos-portoi). São fornecidos diagnoses das espécies, mapas com a distribuição global atualizada e comentários sobre os ambientes de ocorrência das espécies estudadas. Além de prover informações atualizadas ao Projeto Flora do Espírito Santo, esses dados poderão ser utilizados pelos taxonomistas para atualização do sítio Flora do Brasil 2020. Isto será especialmente útil para aquelas famílias que ainda não estão sendo monografadas na Flora do Espírito Santo

Estrutura e sucessão ecológica de uma comunidade florestal urbana no sul do Espírito Santo

Comunidades florestais são ambientes dinâmicos, nas quais processos de sucessão ocorrem naturalmente, podendo conduzir à maturidade da floresta. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a estrutura do componente arbustivo-arbóreo de um fragmento de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual e caracterizar o seu estágio sucessional. O estudo foi realizado no município de Alegre, Espírito Santo, na ARIE Laerth Paiva Gama. A amostragem de todos os indivíduos com DAP ≥ 5 cm foi realizada por meio de pontos-quadrantes. Além dos parâmetros ecológicos foi obtida a estrutura diamétrica para a comunidade. As espécies foram classificadas quanto ao grupo ecológico em pioneiras, secundárias iniciais e secundárias tardias, e quanto ao grau de ameaça de extinção. Foram registradas 112 espécies, 81 gêneros e 34 famílias, das quais se destacaram em Valor de Importância Pseudopiptadenia contorta (15,33), Apuleia leiocarpa (5,08), Acosmium lentiscifolium (4,42) e Parapiptadenia pterosperma (4,30). O índice de Shannon foi de 4,17 e a equabilidade de 0,87, sendo considerados valores elevados para florestas estacionais semideciduais. Com relação à avaliação dos grupamentos ecológicos, as secundárias tardias e iniciais se destacaram em riqueza, no entanto as iniciais foram mais abundantes na comunidade. Deste modo, o remanescente florestal estudado pode ser caracterizado como pertencente ao estágio sucessional inicial-intermediário.Forest communities are dynamic environments in which succession processes occur naturally, may lead to the maturity of the forest. The objective of this study was to evaluate the structure of the woody component of a fragment of semideciduous forest and characterize their successional stage. The study was conducted in the municipality of Alegre, Espirito Santo, in ARIE Laerth Paiva Gama. The sampling of all individuals with DBH ≥ 5 cm was performed by points quadrants. In addition to the ecological parameters it was obtained diameter structure to the community. The species were classified according to environmental group in pioneers, early secondary and late secondary, and the degree of threat of extinction. Were recorded the 112 species, 81 genera and 34 families, of which have excelled in importance value were Pseudopiptadenia contorta (15.33), Apuleia leiocarpa (5.08), Acosmium lentiscifolium (4.42) and Parapiptadenia pterosperma (4.30). The Shannon index was 4.17 and the evenness of 0.87 and are considered high values ​​for semideciduous forests. As to the evaluation of ecological groups, late and early secondary stood out in wealth, however initials were more abundant in the community. Thus, the remaining forest studied can be characterized as belonging to the initial-intermediate stage succession