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Stress tolerance is the predominant strategy among the plant species that colonize the Brazilian rupestrian grassland (Campo rupestre) and is a response to edaphic conditions involving specific morphological and physiological adaptations. Motivated by the need to increase the efficiency in the production of seedlings, we experimentally evaluated whether these plant species are naturally limited in terms of optimum development and if they could have their survival and growth increased when cultivated under enhanced nutrient and water conditions and reduced iron concentration. To experimentally test this hypothesis, we cultivated seedlings of nine plant species in six distinct substrates for 150 days. The percentage of seedling survival had great variation among species (ranging from 40 to 100% survival). Eight out of the nine studied species showed higher growth and higher biomass accumulation as well as greater investment in aerial parts when grown in nursery or organic substrate (up to 10 times greater than the control treatment). This study provides evidence that these species also present reversible adjustment to cope with the poor soil conditions and are able to improve their performance in more fertile soils. Thus, seedling production for the restoration of ironstone rupestrian grasslands can be more efficient.

Global sustainability rests on a myriad of benefits provided by natural ecosystems that support human livelihoods and well-being, from biodiversity persistence to climate regulation. The undeniable importance of conserving tropical forests has drawn most of the conservation spotlight towards it. However, open ecosystems such as the Brazilian Campo Rupestre (rupestrian grassland), have been historically overlooked despite their high diversity and key associated ecosystem services. We highlight major current threats to the persistence of the Campo Rupestre emphasizing its ecological, social, cultural, geo-environmental, and economic importance. We call attention to the importance of the Campo Rupestre as a reservoir of biodiversity and ecosystem services and offer priority actions that resulted from discussions involving scientists, industry representatives, environmental managers, and other members of civil society. Proposed actions include efforts related to ecological restoration, sustainable ecotourism, protection of traditional ecological knowledge, identification of emerging research questions, and development of tailored public policies. Such issues are integrated into a framework that collectively represents a road map to safeguard the Campo Rupestre from further degradation and steer its historical overexploitation towards sustainable management. Safeguarding the future of non-forest biomes like this poses a challenge to current paradigms of nature conservation. By establishing priorities and guidelines, we propose an actionable plan, which we hope can support informed decision-making policy towards a sustainable use of the Campo Rupestre. Long Term Ecological Research PELD-CRSC-17 Conselho Nacional de Pesquisas CNPq/MCTI Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo 2013/50155-0, 2010/51307-0, 2019/07773-1

The Cerrado (Brazilian Savanna) biome suffers intense degradation due to several anthropic activities and its recovery is extremely important for the restoration of environmental quality. Therefore, the present study tested the survival and growth of seedlings of the grass Schizachyrium tenerum produced by the division of clumps. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse using Reddish Oxisol, dystrophic of “cerrado sensu stricto” and Litholic Neosol dystrophic of quartzitic rupestrian grassland with and without the addition of limestone and NPK. Survival of S. tenerum was also compared between being grown in a greenhouse and directly in the field in full sun. Seedlings of S. tenerum had greater survival, total growth, number of tillers and accumulation of biomass when cultivated in Reddish Oxisol and Reddish Oxisol with limestone added than in the other treatments. Seedling survival was three times greater when grown in a greenhouse than in full sun.

Rupestrian landscapes are characterized by vegetation mosaics comprised of different plant communities and strongly linked to environmental filters. These environments are nutrient-impoverished, and possess water retention deficits and high solar exposure. This study aimed to determine whether chemical properties of the soil shape the arboreal-shrub vegetation structure in two neighboring habitats; a rupestrian cerrado and a rupestrian grassland. We hypothesized that the habitat with higher soil chemical properties would have higher parameters for vegetation structure, and different species composition. We expected higher chemical properties of the soil to favor a greater variety of plant life-forms. A total of 1349 individuals of 85 species belonging to 24 families were recorded; 1141 individuals (65 species) in the rupestrian cerrado, and 208 individuals (20 species) in the rupestrian grassland. Overall, Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Melastomataceae had greater species richness in both areas. Both habitats floristic composition was strongly influenced by differences in soil chemistry. In the cerrado, species richness, composition, soil nutrient availability and acidity were greater than in the grassland. We demonstrated that variation in soil chemistry influences plant species richness and composition, and structural complexity of vegetation, in both contiguous rupestrian environments, and that soil chemistry heterogeneity yields different plant life-form strategies.

The unique vegetation of rupestrian grassland (Campo Rupestre) is finely tuned to the strong environmental and edaphoclimatic filters that resulted in important adaptations and high levels of endemism. In this study, we intend to give another focus to the understanding of the identity of the rupestrian grasslands by observing their floristic relationships with other surrounding vegetation types and to present for the first time a functional approach and zeta similarity to try to understand the differences and similarities of this ecosystem with other adjacent ones. We have compiled 1790 plant species in 7 vegetation types. Based on the species composition, we can infer that the most similar vegetation types were Tepuis and Altitudinal Grasslands, and this group is closer to Inselbergs. Subsequently, the most similar were Ironstone Grasslands and the Atlantic Forest grouped with Quartzite Grasslands. Finally, Cerrado was the lesser similar. But, these groupings are modified when analyzed at genus or family level. Considering the zeta diversity decline at the species level, the vegetation types showed an almost complete turnover in species assemblage, sharing only a small suite of species between them. This pattern is similar at the genus level, but the number of genera shared across vegetation types is comparatively higher. On the other hand, at the family level, there is a common core of families shared between vegetation types. When we evaluated the similarity considering functional attributes we found differences in composition regarding growth and life forms. However, in this case, Quartzitic and Ironstone Rupestrian Grasslands showed very similar functional attributes. They are inhabited by plant species with shrub, epiphytic, parasitic and succulent forms with rupicolous growth form. In general, the quartzitic grasslands have singular vegetation, but its affinity with other vegetation types does not translate in any way the most relevant aspects associated with endemism and biodiversity. The true landscape identity to a certain ecosystem is given by functional characteristics.

CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior Outra Agência As plantas de campos rupestres ferruginosos apresentam capacidade de tolerar e sobreviver em solos com elevada pobreza nutricional e metais pesados. Nesse estudo foram testadas as hipóteses: (i) a sobrevivência das plantas difere entre substratos com diferentes condições nutricionais; (ii) as espécies apresentam melhor crescimento frente a substratos com enriquecimento nutricional, quando comparado ao substrato controle. Foi realizado um experimento em que as plantas foram cultivadas por 150 dias plantas de nove espécies de quatro famílias em seis substratos: controle, três com diferentes níveis de NPK (4:14:8), um com adubação orgânica e outro com substrato comum para produção de mudas em viveiro. A porcentagem de sobrevivência não variou entre substratos, mas variou entre espécies (entre 40 e 100% de sobrevivência). As plantas de oito entre as nove espécies quando cultivadas em tratamento orgânico ou viveiro apresentaram maior crescimento e acúmulo de biomassa nas respostas avaliadas (até 10 vezes maior). A razão raiz-ramo, com poucas exceções, foi maior no controle e substratos com três níveis de NPK. Essas espécies já possuem adaptações funcionais para sobreviver nesse ambiente com fortes filtros ambientais. Essa capacidade demonstra elevada variabilidade fenotípica, visto que, mesmo sendo capazes de sobreviver em solo empobrecido de campo rupestre ferruginoso, essas plantas podem se adaptar captando os recursos disponíveis em solos mais férteis. Respostas específicas podem explicar a coexistência de comunidades ricas em espécies que favorece a divisão de nichos ao longo de um gradiente de recursos e diferentes estratégias adaptativas. Plants of ferruginous rupestrian grasslands have the capacity to tolerate and survive in soil with nutritional poverty and heavy metals. This study tested the following hypotheses: (i) the seedling survival differs between substrates with different nutritional conditions; (ii) the species have better performance in substrates with nutritional enrichment compared to the substrate control. We conducted an experiment in which we cultivated for 150 days seedlings of nine species of four plant families in six substrates: control, three with different levels of NPK (4: 14: 8), with organic fertilizer and another with a commercial substrate for nursery garden. The percentage of survival did not differ among substrates, but varied among species (between 40 and 100% survival). Eight seedlings out of evaluated nine species showed higher growth and accumulation of biomass in the assessed responses when grown in organic or commercial treatment (up to 10 times greater). The proportion root-branch, with few exceptions, was higher in the control and substrates with three NPK levels. These species already have functional adaptations to survive in this type of environment with strong environmental filters. This shows high phenotypic variability, as even being able to survive in poor soil of ferruginous rupestrian grasslands, these plants can adapt capturing the available resources in the most fertile soils. Specific responses may explain the coexistence of species communities that supports niches division along a gradient of resources and different adaptive strategies.

Mistletoes obtain nutrients and water from their hosts, with varying effects among those hosts. We assessed the factors that influence the colonization of the mistletoe Struthanthus flexicaulis on Baccharis dracunculifolia and the subsequent effects on host performance. We evaluated the incidence of S. flexicaulis according to size (height classes) and architecture of the host as well as its effects on various physiological parameters of the host. Furthermore, we assessed the occurrence of insect galls induced by Baccharopelma dracunculifoliae(Psyllidae), including the number of leaves infected, and the mortality of infected and non-infected branches. Taller hosts had a higher abundance of mistletoes (60%, p> 0.05). Physiological parameters of hosts were not affected by parasitism, although galling occurred more often (p 0.05) on infected branches. Taller individuals are more colonized by mistletoes and more architecturally complex hosts support a greater number of mistletoes. Mistletoe causes a top-down effect on host-associated organisms on parasitized branches. Mistletoes had a strong top-downeffect on B. dracunculifolia due to a reduction in the number of leaves on parasitized branches and the replacement of the bush crown, as well as an increased incidence of insect galls. Furthermore, the occurrence of a heavy parasite load increased the mortality rate of the host branches.