RESUMO
Anthropogenic fires are an increasing threat to tropical savannas and their plant populations. In the Brazilian Cerrado, human-made fires at the end of the dry season are replacing natural fires at the beginning of the dry season. Critically, these late burns occur under more intense climate variables. Here, we aimed to understand the potential role of fire seasonality on individuals of Anacardium humile, a widespread Cerrado species of cultural and economic importance. We conducted two prescribed burnings, one at the beginning of the dry season (early burning) and one at the end of the dry season (late burning) when climate variables were remarkably different. We assessed the reproductive responses of A. humile individuals over 4 years and compared individuals from the fire treatments with those from an unburned area (control). The reproductive phenology of A. humile varied over time and was influenced by climate variables. The seasons of different burning had similar impacts on the reproductive phenology of A. humile, and this impact lasted for at least 4 years. While A. humile populations do not depend on fire for reproduction, they produced more flowers and fruits for up to 2 years with the fire treatments. We provide empirical evidence of the role of climate variables on the phenology of A. humile and demonstrate the importance of considering the role of time after fire events. The similar responses of A. humile to fire seasonality show that Cerrado fire management can be more complex than previously thought.
Assuntos
Anacardium , Ecossistema , Humanos , Pradaria , Plantas , ReproduçãoRESUMO
We describe three new species of Malpighiaceae that are endemic to central Brazil and related to the Heteropterys pannosa complex, a group of xylopodiferous, unbranched subshrubs with fruit in mericarps that have a strongly reduced or no dorsal wing. Heteropterys tocantinensis is more common in eastern Tocantins State and on the border with Bahia State, and there are a few records from Mato Grosso State. Heteropterys veadeirensis is restricted to northern Goiás State and H. walteri has a wider distribution, occurring in some municipalities in northern Goiás and southern Tocantins. Additionally, we also provide detailed redescriptions of H. pannosa and H. rosmarinifolia, the two previously known species in this complex. All species are considered Endangered (EN) based on IUCN criteria, especially due to the low area of occupancy. Illustrations, distribution maps, and information about phenology and habitat are also provided for all taxa.
Assuntos
Malpighiaceae , Animais , Brasil , EcossistemaRESUMO
Land degradation by soil erosion has called attention in tropical developing countries, particularly when natural vegetation is converted to farmland. Thus, the occupation of Brazilian savannas in Western Bahia is a matter of growing environmental concern. There are approximately 10 million hectares affected by this relatively recent land-use dynamics, but little is known about the temporal and spatial distribution of the process. To better understand such transformations, this paper addresses three related topics: land use/land cover (LULC) in 1985 and 2000; LULC dynamics between 1985 and 2000; and risk of land degradation by soil erosion as a function of farming expansion. The study area is located in Northeastern Brazil, between the coordinates 11º S and 46º 30' W and 14º S and 43º 30' W. All classes of natural vegetation cover decreased their areas during the period of study. Savanna (cerrado) lost 21.0 percent of its original area. Modern farming and irrigated areas increased 154.4 and 526.0 percent, respectively. Farming expansion reached 1,675,233 ha. Moderate risk of land degradation by soil erosion increased from 28.0 to 36.8 percent of the landscape mosaic between 1985 and 2000. The spatial and temporal dynamics observed reproduces development and land degradation examples of other savanna lands in Brazil. The integrity of native vegetation cover and the dissemination of soil and water conservation practices should be considered. This research contributes with an understanding of landscape transformations as a baseline for strategic environmental and land-use planning within the region.
A degradação da terra por erosão do solo tem chamado atenção em países em desenvolvimento, particularmente quando a vegetação nativa é convertida em área agrícola. Portanto, a ocupação do cerrado no Oeste da Bahia é um tema de crescente preocupação ambiental. Existem aproximadamente 10 milhões de hectares afetados por esta recente dinâmica de uso da terra, mas pouco se sabe sobre a distribuição temporal e espacial do processo. Para melhor entender estas transformações, este trabalho aborda três tópicos relacionados: uso e cobertura da terra em 1985 e 2000; dinâmica do uso e cobertura entre 1985 e 2000; e risco de degradação da terra por erosão de solo como função da expansão de áreas agrícolas. A área de estudo localiza-se no Nordeste brasileiro, entre as coordenadas 11º S e 46º 30' O e 14º S e 43º 30' O. Todas as classes de vegetação nativa diminuíram suas áreas durante o período de estudo. O cerrado perdeu 21,0 por cento de sua área original. A agricultura moderna e as áreas irrigadas aumentaram 154,4 e 526,0 por cento, respectivamente. A expansão de áreas agrícolas alcançou 1.675.233 ha. O risco moderado de degradação da terra por erosão de solo aumentou de 28,0 para 36,8 por cento do mosaico de paisagem entre 1985 e 2000. A dinâmica espacial e temporal observada reproduz exemplos de desenvolvimento e degradação da terra de outras áreas de cerrado no Brasil. A integridade da cobertura vegetal nativa e a disseminação de práticas de conservação de solo e água deveriam ser consideradas. Esta pesquisa contribui para um entendimento das transformações da paisagem como uma base para o planejamento ambiental estratégico e do uso das terras na região.