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ABSTRACT Ecological restoration mitigates the negative effects of fragmentation and habitat loss. This practice allows the conservation of key species, such as Ocotea porosa, a tree native to the Araucaria Forest and extremely endangered. A key point in restoration projects is the source of seeds, as well as guidelines for collection. When carried out under technical criteria, the collection allows the maintenance of genetic diversity and adaptive potential in restoration plantations. Given the importance of seed source, genetic diversity, and adaptive potential, this study aimed to define areas and criteria for collecting seeds by characterizing the demography, genetics, and reproductive phenology of an O. porosa population. A plot of 16 hectares was installed in the municipality of Passos Maia, Santa Catarina, Brazil, and a demographic survey of trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) > 15 cm was carried out. Indices of diversity and internal genetic structure (IGS) were estimated using allozyme markers. The reproductive phenology of 67 individuals was evaluated during 8 months. The studied population showed a high density of individuals (10.7 ind. ha-1) with normal diametric distribution. The phenological pattern of the species is regular, seasonal, and annual. The evaluated population showed high genetic diversity, high fixation index, and significant IGS up to 80 meters away. Based on these results, the evaluated fragment can be used as a seed collection area. It has high genetic diversity, density, and area size sufficient to contain several demes. In addition, it is highly recommended that the matrices be at least 80 meters apart to avoid the effects of significant IGS.

Because of the need for identification of forest species, especially for detection of illegal wood trade, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of colorimetry for differentiation of Inga vera Willd., Muellera campestris (Mart. ex Benth.) M.J. Silva & A.M.G. Azevedo and Machaerium paraguariense Hassl., species of the Fabaceae family, native to the Araucaria Forest in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Discs at breast height were collected from three trees of each species and the colorimetric parameters (L*, a*, b*, C* and h) and visible spectra were evaluated in different radial position of the trunk (near bark, intermediate and near pith) and three different anatomical sections (transversal, radial and tangential surfaces). Mean values of hue angle (h) among the colorimetric parameters resulted in the highest potential for species discrimination. With respect to radial trunk position and anatomical section, parameters a* (green-red) and h were not statistically different, independent of the wood samples evaluated. For other parameters (L*, b* and C*), each species presented distinct results. Principal component analysis with second derivative of visible spectra discriminated all species. Colorimetry associated with chemometrics allowed to distinguish I. vera, M. campestris and M. paraguariense.

Studies on forest regeneration can provide information about species that will form a forest in the future. However, few studies emphasize this component. This study evaluated tree and shrub regeneration in a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest using 180 sample plots with 2.5 m radius, where individuals whose height was ≥ 50 cm and diameter at breast height (DBH) was ≤ 5.0 cm. The sample consisted of 4,078 individuals and 89 species. The Shannon index (3.64) and the Pielou index (0.81) showed a high diversity and balance regarding the abundance of species. The most significant species for regeneration were Allophylus edulis, Casearia decandra, Cupania vernalis, Matayba elaeagnoides, and Myrsine coriacea. The results show that not all of the most important species tend exhibit an inverted J shape, indicating the possibility of imbalance between the mortality and recruitment rates of these species in regeneration.

Among the sigmodontine rodents, the genus Akodon is the second in numerical terms, with about 45 recognized species. In the Rio Grande do Sul state, there are 5 registered species. This article shows data on the distribution of the species of the genus Akodon in the northern Rio Grande do Sul state, as well as a description of the karyotypes of species from this region are shown. Six localities were sampled from August 2008 to May 2010. A total of 44 specimens underwent cytogenetic analysis and 2 species were identified (Akodon montensis and Akodon paranaensis). The karyotype of A. montensis was 2n = 24, FN = 44 and that of A. paranaensis was 2n = 44, NF = 46. Data on abundance and distribution of these species corroborate the pattern described in other studies with the rodent community in the northern portion of the state, where the Akodon species are seen as dominant. The fact that only A. montensis and A. paranaensis were captured is an indication that these two species are the only ones with confirmed occurrence in the northern portion of this state.

In Brazil, only 2% of the Araucaria forest remains, and less than 1% of this forest is protected (as conservation units). In Santa Catarina, the Chapecó River sub-basin was evaluated for the creation of a state ecological corridor. Studies were developed within the Microbacias 2 Project between 2007 and 2009. Landscape metrics provided important data for evaluating the conservation status of the forest remnants for the zoning of the corridor. The Chapecó Ecological Corridor encompasses around 5,000km²; 50.5% of this area comprises remnants of natural ecosystems and 42.7% is used by agricultural activities. Fifteen fragments, which are each larger than 500ha, are Araucaria forests that contain elements of Floresta Estacional Decidual. Of the 83 watersheds studied in permanent preservation areas, 20.5% has more than 60% vegetation cover and 57.5% has between 10% and 30% vegetation cover. It is estimated that the sub-basin has 111,000km2 of forest on private properties, along with remnants in three conservation units and three indigenous areas. The forests of the Chapecó Ecological Corridor represent the last fragments of continuous Araucaria forest in western Santa Catarina.

The morphology and anatomy of stem segments of 2 species of Lepismium (Cactaceae), which grow naturally in the Araucaria forest understory, in the state of Paraná, Brazil, are compared. The goal of this study was to identify morphological traits adapted to epiphytism and to the low light condition of the studied environment. Twenty-five segments of Lepismium cruciforme and L. lumbricoides were collected and various morphological and anatomical features were measured. Differences (p < 0.05) were found between the species in mean values for total volume, total photosynthetic area, epidermis and hypodermis thickness, sclerenchyma area/total transversal area proportion of the stem segments and parenchyma area/total transversal area proportion, which can be correlated to their differences in shape. The xeric features found in Lepismium, most of them typical of drought-adapted cacti, have allowed the development of the epiphytic habit and the occupation of humid forests. As epiphytes, they are subject to some extent to water scarcity, although not to severe conditions such as most terrestrial cacti. Mean values for hypodermis thickness, water content, amount of sclerenchyma and stomatal densities are more similar to mesomorphic plants, and can be correlated to epiphytism, showing that these species have lost some of their adaptations to dry environments.Se compara la morfología y la anatomía de los segmentos del tallo de 2 especies de Lepismium, que crecen naturalmente en el sotobosque del bosque de Araucaria, en el estado de Paraná. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar rasgos morfológicos de adaptación para el epifitismo y para condiciones de poca luz del ambiente estudiado. Se recolectaron 25 ejemplares de L. cruciforme y de L. lumbricoides y se midieron rasgos tanto morfológicos como anatómicos de los tallos. Se encontraron diferencias (p < 0.05) entre las especies considerando los valores promedio del volumen total, del área total fotosintética, del grosor de la epidermis y de la hipodermis, del área del esclerénquima / área transversal total de los segmentos del tallo y del área del parénquima / área transversal total, caracteres que se correlacionan a sus diferencias en forma. Las características xeromórficas encontradas en Lepismium, la mayor parte de ellas típicas de cactáceas de zonas áridas, han favorecido el desarrollo del hábito epifítico y la ocupación de bosques húmedos. Como epífitas, están sujetas a un cierto grado de escasez de agua, aunque no a las condiciones tan severas como la mayoría de las cactáceas terrestres. Los valores promedio para el grosor de la hipodermis, el contenido de agua, la cantidad de esclerénquima y las densidad estomática son más similares a las plantas mesomórficas, y se pueden correlacionar al epifitismo, demostrando que estas especies perdieron algunas de sus adaptaciones para ambientes secos.

The objective of this study was to describe the floristics and the structure of tree species in the Parque Municipal Natural of Lages, SC, a remnant of mixed rain forest located in southern Brazil. For this, we allocated four plots (40 x 40m) and each plot was divided into 16 sub-plots of 10 x 10m. Trees with dbh ≥ 5cm and height ≥ 1.3m were mapped, tagged and measured. The individuals were identified and voucher material was deposited in the herbarium. A total of 46 species were sampled, distributed in 39 genera and 27 families. The richest families in number of species were Myrtaceae, Lauraceae, Salicaceae and Sapindaceae. Seven species represented more than 60% of the total of individuals. The specific diversity was H’ = 3.05 nats.ind-1 (J’ = 0.81). The similarity among plots was 32 at 44%, indicating low similarity among plots. The spatial distribution of most of the species is classified as clumped, according to the Morisita index. This forest remains with a considerable richness and diversity with some endangered tree species such as Araucaria angustifolia and Dicksonia sellowiana. Due to its ecological importance for the local flora and fauna and the fragmentation process in the region, this remnant should be considered as a priority area for conservation.

Soil invertebrate distribution in Araucaria forest, grassland and edge habitats was studied in both disturbed and undisturbed areas in southern Brazil. Mean-density and taxa compositions were verified. Invertebrate densities differed between grassland and the other two habitats in the undisturbed area but not across the disturbed one. At the disturbed area taxa differed between the grassland and the other two habitats. The undisturbed area, on the other hand, presented taxa differences only between the grassland and the forest habitats. Acari, Arachnida and Collembola were the most sensitive taxa for detecting differences across habitats in both areas. At the disturbed area, these taxa presented densities lowering from the forest to the grassland. At the undisturbed area the same taxa increased from the forest to the grassland. Coleoptera and Formicidae (Insecta) presented no difference between habitats at the studied taxonomic level.A distribuição dos invertebrados de solo entre os em ambientes de floresta com Araucaria, borda-de-mata e campo, foi analisada em duas áreas no sul do Brasil: uma reserva ecológica e uma propriedade agrícola. A densidade média e a composição dos principais taxa foram verificadas. A densidade total de invertebrados diferiu entre o campo e os outros dois hábitats na área protegida, mas não na fazenda. A composição dos taxa diferiu entre o hábitat de campo e os outros dois habitats na fazenda, e entre o campo e a mata com Araucaria na área protegida. Acari, Arachnida e Collembola foram os grupos que mais apresentaram diferenças entre os diferentes habitats. Na área alterada (fazenda), esses grupos apresentaram diminuição na densidade na direção da floresta com Araucária para o campo, enquanto que na área protegida suas densidades foram maiores no campo do que na floresta com Araucária. Coleoptera e Formicidae (Insecta) não apresentaram diferenças significativas no nível taxonômico estudado.

The terrestrial invertebrates participate actively in the formation of the soil, and can be utilized as bioindicators of environmental disturbance. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the fauna composition of terrestrial invertebrates, in a rural area of Campina Grande do Sul. The collection was carried out in a single fragment of Araucaria Forest, with structurally differentiated two-point samplings, through pitfall traps. A total of 1,776 invertebrates was captured, pertaining to Arthropoda, Annelida, Mollusca and Plathyhelminthes phyla, of which Arthropoda and Hexapoda were the most representative groups. In Hexapoda, eleven orders were registered, and of those, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Collembola and Diptera were the most abundant. Although the studied fragment had been under recuperation for about 10 years after approximately 40 years of antropic interference, and was therefore surrounded by areas utilized for farming, agriculture and highways, it contained different groups of terrestrial invertebrates on wide-ranging thropic levels, which were important for the spatial structure and the composition of litterfall of the fragment.

Estudio fitosociológico de un bosque de Araucaria y de tres comunidades de los «campos», cerca de Bom Jardim da Serra, Santa Catarina, en relación con la discusión, si los campos sustituyeron a los bosques, ó si los bosques de Araucaria se originaron de ellos. El bosque descrito como Podocarpo lambertii-Araucarietum angustifoliae consiste de un alto estrato arbóreo de Araucaria sola sobre un sotobosque, donde predominan mirtáceas juntos con Dicksonia sellowii . Principalmente, ocupa la parte más alta de las elevaciones entre 1400 y más de 1500 m de altitud s.n.m., y en su borde inferior contra los «campos» se observa una ­franja ± ancha de bosque quemado del cual sobrevive solamente el estrato de araucarias altas. De los «campos» se describe el Plantagini-Andropogonetum macrothrici como el pajonal que predomina en el paisaje. Se compone de 42 especies, en su mayoría geófitos. En sitios protegidos del fuego se estableció el matorral del Baccharido-Heterothalametum alieni que también invadió el bosque quemado. En fisuras de roca desnuda por erosión del suelo se observó la comunidad de Trachypogon montufari y Senecio pinnatus. La regeneración de Araucaria en el bosque intacto, más los ejemplares viejos sobrevivientes igual que sus plántulas y árbolitos en el Heterothalametum indican el bosque de Araucaria como la actual vegetación natural potencial del planalto de Santa Catarina y el Podocarpo-Araucarietum como la del área de estudios.The grassland of the «campos» and Araucaria forests cover the «planalto», or highlands,of Santa Catarina (Brazil-S). Picking up the discussion on whether the campos replaced the Araucaria forest or the latter originated from the campos , a fitosociological study on an Araucaria forest and on three communities of the campos is presented with special reference to the processes of forest destruction and regeneration. The forest is described as Podocarpo lambertii-Araucarietum angustifoliae. Its canopy consists of Araucaria only; many myrtaceae form, together with the tree fern Dicksonia sellowiana, a rather dense understory of lower trees and shrubs. Numerous species of epiphytes are also common in the rain forest of southern Brazil, eastern Paraguay and NE-Argentina (Misiones); on the other hand, the Podocarpo-Araucarietum is rather poor in climbers. Of the grassland of the «campos», the Plantagini-Andropogonetum macrothrici is described as a meadow with a mean species number of 42, thereof 15 graminiforms and 12 composites nearly all of them geophytes, some herbs with their leaves in rosettes, – possibly a consequence of a long time of cattle grazing and burning. The area of many species ranges from southern Brazil to the NE, N, and Center of Argentina. At sites protected against the fire grows the Baccharido-Heterothalametum alieni shrub, which also invades the burnt and grazed forest. The regeneration of Araucaria angustifolia in the undisturbed forest, and the ocurrence of seedlings as well as treelets in the Baccharido-Heterothalametum, lead to the conclusion that the Araucaria forest is to be considered the actual potential natural vegetation on the planalto of Santa Catarina, and the Podocarpo-Araucarietum that of the studied area.

Com o objetivo de estudar as alterações na estrutura diamétrica ocorridas numa Floresta Ombrófila Mista localizada na Estação Experimental da Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR) (São João do Triunfo, PR), nove parcelas, totalizando nove hectares avaliados inicialmente em 1979, foram recuperadas e remedidas em 2000. Em 1979, todos os indivíduos arbóreos com DAP igual ou superior a 20 cm foram identificados e numerados e tiveram seus diâmetros medidos. Em 2000, usando os mesmos critérios de inclusão, os indivíduos que não haviam sido computados em 1979 foram considerados como ingressos e os não encontrados, como mortos. Em 1979, nos nove hectares estudados foram encontrados 2.133 indivíduos e 51 espécies; em 2000, 2.202 indivíduos e 55 espécies. A floresta apresentou uma mortalidade de 513 indivíduos (24,05%) e um ingresso de 591 outros (27,71%), o que representa um aumento líquido de 3,66% no número de indivíduos, no período analisado. A distribuição diamétrica do conjunto de espécies apresentou a forma decrescente, do tipo J-invertido, nas duas avaliações, entretanto a freqüência de indivíduos nas classes diamétricas superiores (acima de 50 cm) aumentou significativamente em 2000. Matayba elaeagnoides e Ocotea porosa diferiram das demais espécies, sendo as únicas a não apresentar distribuição diamétrica na forma de J-invertido. Em 1979, Araucaria angustifolia tinha 11,66% de seus indivíduos localizados nas classes diamétricas acima dos 50 cm, e as folhosas apenas 6,37%. Em 2000, 25,42% dos indivíduos de A. angustifolia estavam em classes acima dos 50 cm, enquanto 8,99% das folhosas ocupavam a mesma posição. Entre as parcelas, houve variações, algumas aumentaram o número de indivíduos (1, 6, 7, 21 e 22) e outras diminuíram (10, 17, 18, 30). O estudo indicou também que a permanência da espécie na futura estrutura da floresta não é garantida pela grande quantidade de indivíduos nas classes de diâmetros menores, mas sim pela capacidade de competição que a espécie apresenta.Aiming to study the alterations in the diametric structure of an Ombrophyllous Mixed Forest located in São João do Triunfo (Paraná State - Brazil), nine plots of 1 ha, first evaluated in 1979, were recovered and measured in 2000. In 1979, all trees with dbh > 20 cm were identified, tagged and had the dbh measured. In 2000, based on the same criteria described before, the trees which had not been counted in 1979 were considered as ingrowth and the missing ones were considered mortality. In 1979, the sample (9 ha) had 2.133 trees of 51 species. In 2000, the number of trees increased to 2.202 and the species to 55. During this period, the mortality amounted to 513 trees (24.05%) and the ingrowth to 591 trees (27.71%) in the studied area, giving an increase of 3.66% in trees' density. In both evaluations, the diametric distribution of the forest (all species included) presented a progressive decrease, like a J-shaped curve, although the amount of trees in the diametric classes above 50 cm increased significantly in 2000. Only Matayba elaeagnoides and Ocotea porosa did not present a "J-shaped" diameter distribution. In 1979, Araucaria angustifolia had 11.66% of trees in diametric classes above 50 cm, the broadleaf (non-conifers) 6.37%. In 2000, 25.42% of the A. angustifolia trees were in classes above 50 cm, while 8.99% of the broadleaf trees were in the same classes. Despite the increase in the forest density, some plots presented a decrease in the number of trees during the analyzed period. This study showed that is not the high frequency in smaller diameters classes that guarantees the presence of a species in the future forest structure, but its capacity to compete.

O presente artigo trata do delineamento semi-automático de copas de árvores através de suas sombras periféricas observadas em fotografia aérea de alta resolução. O estudo foi realizado em área de dois hectares de Floresta Ombrófila Mista da Floresta Nacional de Irati, PR, utilizando-se a técnica de interpretação, nos formatos analógico e digital, em uma fotografia aérea de 70 mm colorida normal, na escala de 1:1.000, e dados obtidos em campo. A metodologia consistiu na transformação das três bandas originais da fotografia colorida digital em apenas uma e na separação da componente sombra dos demais alvos restantes da imagem, através de um limiar. A partir dos resultados, verificou-se que: a) as sombras podem ser visualizadas em clareiras existentes na floresta, entre os galhos e entre as copas das árvores; b) a imagem resultante evidencia a inconsistência de se mapearem as copas exclusivamente pelas sombras periféricas; c) o resultado insatisfatório foi atribuído ao tipo de floresta natural considerado; d) a técnica mostrou-se promissora como ferramenta adicional de realce de imagem; e e) faz-se necessário desenvolver maior número de pesquisas para se obterem resultados conclusivos.This paper deals with the semi automatic delineation of crowns of trees on high resolution aerial photograph using their peripheral shadows. The study was carried out on 2 hectares of native Araucaria forest due to the avaliability of field data and the interpretation, in analogic and digital formats, of a 70 mm 1:1.000 high resolution aerial photograh . The methodology consisted in the transformation of the 3 original bands of the digital color photograph in only one, and then, through a threshold, the shadow component was separated from the other targets. From the results obtained, the main conclusions reached were: a) the shadows were due to the open areas on the forest among the branches and the crowns of the trees; b) the resultant image evidenced the inconsistency to delineate the crowns exclusively through their peripheral shadows; c) the inadequate result may be related to the type of natural forest and not to the technique itself; d) the used technique showed promising as an additional enhancement technique, and e) it is necessary to carry out more research in order to obtain conclusive results.

The abundance of soil microarthropods from seven fragments of Araucaria Forest, Muitos Capões, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was compared. The size of the fragments ranged from 0.25 ha to 35 ha, the two largest fragments are situated within the Aracuri Ecological Station and the remaining five are situated in a cattle ranching farm. In June 2000, three plots (10 m x 10 m) were established in the central area of each patch, and three soil cores (7 cm diameter x 6 cm deep) were taken per plot. The abundance of microarthropods in the upper six centimeters (soil + litter) varied between 63209 and 102704 ind.m-2, with oribatid mites (Acari, Cryptostigmata) being dominant in all fragments (between 46.9 % and 61.3 % of total individuals). Most microarthropod groups presented a decrease in abundance with decreasing fragment area, with a statistically significant difference between smaller and larger fragments. The proportion of oribatids also decreased with decreasing fragment area. The results suggest that the growing fragmentation process of Araucaria forests in southern Brazil, associated to a tendency for reducing the size of remnant fragments, can affect the abundance of soil microarthropods, and therefore, the quality and health of this ecosystem.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo testar a técnica de mergulhia aérea (alporquia) na produção de mudas de jabuticabeira utilizando diferentes concentrações de ácido indolbutírico - AIB (0; 4.000 e 6.000 mg.L-1), em quatro épocas e dois locais: agosto, outubro, dezembro e maio de 2004-2005, em Vitorino-PR (Sítio 1); e agosto, setembro, outubro e novembro de 2004, em Chopinzinho - PR (Sítio 2). Foi avaliado o percentual de enraizamento, através da observação de raízes visíveis externamente ao substrato, aos 180 dias após a realização da alporquia. Com base nestes resultados, é possível afirmar que: a alporquia é um método eficiente para a propagação assexuada da jabuticabeira; a concentração de 4.000 mg.L-1 de AIB foi eficiente na indução de enraizamento em todas as épocas estudadas, exceto quando se realiza a alporquia no mês de dezembro, que dispensa o uso de AIB.The aim of this work was to test the air layering technique in the production of cuttings of 'jabuticaba' fruit tree using different concentrations of Indolbutiric Acid - IBA (0, 4000 and 6000mg.L-1), in different times and in two places: August, October, December and May of 2004/2005 in Vitorino, Paraná, Brazil; and August, September, October and November of 2004 in Chopinzinho, Paraná, Brazil. The percentage of rooting was evaluated, through the observation of externally visible roots to the substrate, a hundred and eighty days after the execution of air layering technique. Based on these results it is possible conclude that: the air layering technique was an efficient assexuated method to propagate "Jabuticaba" fruit trees (Plinia sp.); the concentration of 4000 mg.L-1 was efficient in the induction rooting, exception when the air layering technique is executed in December, dismissing use of IBA.

Este trabalho apresenta o levantamento das espécies de Pteridófitas do Parque Estadual de Vila Velha, Ponta Grossa, Paraná. O Parque possui uma área de 3.803,28 ha, com altitudes de 800-1.100 m, com predomínio de Campos Gerais entremeados por Capões de Floresta com Araucária, além de afloramentos rochosos areníticos. Foram identificadas 152 espécies distribuídas em 54 gêneros, sendo os mais representativos Asplenium (11 spp.), Blechnum e Thelypteris (10 spp. cada), Pecluma, Polypodium e Trichomanes (7 spp. cada). Cem espécies foram registradas nas florestas, 47 nos campos e 60 nas formações areníticas. Vinte e sete espécies apresentam distribuição restrita ao Brasil, das quais 14 são endêmicas ao Sul e Sudeste. Menção especial para Ctenitis bigarellae Schwartsburd et al., Elaphoglossum langsdorffii (Hook. & Grev.) T. Moore, Alsophila capensis subsp. polypodioides (Sw.) Conant e Blechnum australe subsp. auriculatum (Cav.) de la Sota. São apresentados chaves de identificação, comentários e materiais selecionados.

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram caracterizar a composição e a estrutura da vegetação arbórea e analisar a distribuição geográfica das espécies amostradas em uma região de transição entre as Florestas Ombrófilas Mista e Densa Montana em Piraquara, Paraná. Foram amostrados 617 indivíduos, distribuídos em 31 famílias e 85 espécies. As famílias mais diversas foram Myrtaceae (22 espécies), Lauraceae (11), Rubiaceae (6) e Aquifoliaceae (4). Estruturalmente, as espécies mais importantes foram Alsophila setosa, Ocotea catharinensis, Cyathea phalerata, Cryptocarya aschersoniana e Cordiera concolor. Foi possível constatar que a Floresta Ombrófila Densa Montana no estado do Paraná apresenta composição florística diferenciada e ainda, a existência de um gradiente transicional entre as floras de Floresta Ombrófila Mista e Densa Submontana na Serra do Mar paranaense. Tanto os dados de composição como os estruturais indicam que a comunidade analisada se apresenta em estágio avançado de sucessão e merece rigorosa conservação.

ABSTRACT: Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze is a native tree species of major importance in southern Brazil. It is a regional symbol due to its iconic shape and stature in the landscape; its wood was once economically important and its seeds are an important source of food for the fauna and are presently used in regional cuisine. Despite its importance and apparent abundance, the species is facing extinction mainly as a result of unregulated exploitation and deforestation. This study catalogued the remaining individuals in order to add to the body of knowledge available on A. angustifolia, a species that has become rare across its historic range. The circumference at breast height (1.30 m), the total height, and the tree volume were measured (3,529 araucarias). We catalogued trees with a large diameter measuring them in loco over three years involving a journey of more than 6,800 km. The volumes of these old trees are very large, ranging from 38.2 m3 to 106.6 m3. The largest A. angustifolia individual is located in the state of Santa Catarina and measures 3.25 m in diameter. The giant araucarias with > 2.00 m in diameter are rare and only 13 individuals could be found in southern Brazil; a priority action at the governmental level is to recognize and preserve these monumental trees and together with a need for a public policy of drawing up specific inventories of large trees.

O presente estudo apresenta a listagem das espécies vegetais de três áreas de Floresta com Araucária e as suas respectivas síndromes de dispersão. Foram percorridos mensalmente (agosto/2003 a dezembro/2005) cinco transectos com 5 km cada, ao longo dos quais foi coletado material fértil, resultando na identificação de 210 espécies: 83 árvores, 58 arbustos, 36 ervas, 23 trepadeiras, oito epífitas e duas parasitas. A maioria (68,6%) das espécies possui dispersão zoocórica, seguidas pelas espécies anemocóricas (21,9%) e autocóricas (6,7%). Comparações florísticas com áreas recobertas pela mesma formação florestal sugerem que os remanescentes estudados apresentam baixa riqueza específica, tanto quando a comparação é realizada considerando todas as formas de vida como quando apenas as espécies arbóreas são consideradas. Os resultados são discutidos à luz do histórico de exploração da região de estudo e da abundância de taquaras no sub-bosque.

RESUMO Rubiaceae no Brasil ocorre principalmente no Bioma Mata Atlântica que na região sul é representado por dois tipos principais de fitofisionomias: Floresta Estacional Semidecidual e Floresta Ombrófita Mista. Ambas ocorrem no Parque Ecológico Paulo Gorski (PEPG), fragmento florestal urbano. Diante da relevância de Rubiaceae na Mata Atlântica e da importância de estudos de anatomia ecológica para entender processos de colonização e sobrevivência este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar anatomicamente as folhas de Rubiaceae encontradas no PEPG. Foram estudadas 14 espécies pertencentes a nove gêneros de Rubiaceae que apresentam como caracteres comuns à família: epiderme uniestratificada, tricomas, estômatos paracíticos e paralelocíticos, mesofilo dorsiventral e feixes vasculares colaterais. Dentre os caracteres anatômicos observados, considerados comuns em plantas mesófitas-heliófitas, destacam-se papilas, tricomas e mesofilo compacto. Portanto, essas características estão de acordo com as condições ambientais constatadas nas áreas de bordas e clareiras da Mata Atlântica e também em áreas antropizadas.