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Qualea grandiflora and Vochysia tucanorum (Vochysiaceae) are aluminum-accumulating woody species from the Cerrado vegetation in South America and retain aluminum (Al) in their seeds. Studies suggest Al dependency for these species, but no physiological role has been ascribed to Al in their seeds. Based on a previous study that showed ethylene (Et) improves the germination of intact seeds of V. tucanorum, we inoculated their isolated embryos in a culture medium with increasing Al concentrations and under Et influence (seeds were pretreated with Ethrel®, an Et-releasing compound) to see how Et effects and Al interact during germination. Despite showing more than 8,000 (Q. grandiflora) and 32,000 (V. tucanorum) mg Al kg−1 seed, both species, but mainly V. tucanorum embryos, germinated better in an Al-enriched medium. Ethylene induced germination of V. tucanorum embryos when Al was absent in the medium, indicating an effect of Et on the germination of isolated embryos of this species. Embryos of Q. grandiflora germinated independently of Al in the medium and Et did not influence their germination. Both species seemed to transfer the Al from seeds to their seedlings, highlighting the importance of Al during seed germination of these Al-accumulating species.Key message: The aluminum (Al) has a critical effect on the germination of Q. grandiflora and V. tucanorum. Ethylene induced in vitro germination of V. tucanorum embryos when Al was absent in the medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species occurrence in the landscape is influenced by habitat characteristics such as vegetation structure and resource availability. Habitat fragmentation causes a reduction or elimination of required resources, leading to the decline or disappearance of populations and species. Among carnivores, variables such as vegetation characteristics, prey availability, and human infrastructure were strongly associated with species occupancy. However, the relationship between these variables and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) occupancy in fragmented landscapes remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of habitat characteristics, prey availability, and human infrastructure on ocelot occupancy in the protected areas of São Paulo. We sampled 55 sites using unbaited camera traps from October 2012 to August 2017 with a sampling effort of 10.175 trap-nights. We fitted models to determine how vegetation characteristics, prey availability, and human infrastructure affect ocelot occupancy. Ocelots were detected in 40% of sites, with a higher occupancy probability in sites with a greater relative abundance of prey and a farther distance from urban areas; however, there was no significant relationship with native vegetation. Thus, preservation of the ocelot requires the reduction of human impacts on these landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Fire Ecology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A new fruit of the Myrtaceae, Eugenia bonita, was recently discovered. Its composition is unknown, which makes its physicochemical characterisation and its development profile during maturation necessary. Therefore, this work constitutes the first study aimed at determining the quality parameters and bioactive compounds of new fruit of E. bonita, at different stages of maturation. The fruits were collected in the city of Bonito de Minas, Minas Gerais in five stages of maturation and submitted for analysis of the physicochemical characteristics. The advance of maturation caused increase in all biometric characteristics of E. bonita fruits and reduction in all constituents of the proximate composition, except moisture. In addition, the ripe fruit was characterised by high water content, high acidity, and good sweetness. Moreover, there was change in the fruit color from green to yellow-orange, after maturity. In turn, although some phytochemicals have degraded during maturation, the high levels of vitamin C (61.17 mg/100 g) and total phenolics (587.92 mg GAE/100 g) in the ripe fruits characterise E. bonita as an important source of bioactive compounds. These data are of great importance to the scientific community, food industry, and popular culture since this fruit has interesting functional properties and great nutritional value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cagaiteira (Eugenia dysenterica DC.) is an important fruit species native from Brazilian Cerrado that has economic potential for food and pharmaceutical sectors and the recovery of degraded areas. Knowledge about crop management is still limited, including fertilization methods. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of lime and phosphorus (P) application on nutrition, growth, dry matter production and physiological aspects of cagaiteira seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using a randomized block design with three replications, in a 5x4 factorial scheme, five base saturation levels (24.5, 40.0, 60.0, 80.0 and 100.0%) and four P rates (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg dm-3). At 180 days after transplanting, gas exchange, biometrics (diameter, height and leaf area), dry mass production, seedling quality (Dickson Quality Index - DQI) and nutrient content were evaluated. The results were subjected to analysis of variance (p<0.05) and regression model adjustments. The growth and physiology of Eugenia dysenterica DC seedlings are not influenced by liming; however, the application of lime positively influences the B content in the plants. Phosphate fertilization increases growth in height, with an estimated rate of 245 mg dm-3 of P indicated to produce cagaiteira seedlings, since at this dose is estimated that the plant will be taller. In general, cagaiteira proves to be a species that develops well in acid soil conditions and with low availability of P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hancornia speciosa is a fruit tree species with the potential for exploitation, which makes the adoption of strategies related to its conservation and breeding relevant. Our study aimed to investigate the reproductive phenology, estimate genetic variability, and identify superior H. speciosa genotypes among the accessions that compose the germplasm collection of the Federal University of Goiás, Brazil. Experimental data were obtained from 143 individual accessions. Evaluation of reproductive phenology was conducted on an arbitrary scale of points assigned to trees monthly. Morphological characterization was based on a list of 20 qualitative descriptors and 12 quantitative traits. The dissimilarity between and within botanical varieties and their correlation with the geographic distance of the original populations were investigated. Analysis of variance components was performed using the Restricted Maximum Likelihood/Best Linear Unbiased Prediction procedure using two linear models. The selection of the ≈ 10% best individual accessions was performed considering genetic and genotypic values. Except for of H. speciosa var. speciosa, the botanical varieties that compose the germplasm collection showed similar reproductive patterns, with a peak in fruit appearance in August. Morphological dissimilarity was smaller within botanical varieties. Among the botanical varieties, dissimilarity was generally positively correlated with geographic distance. The adoption of a multivariate selection index procedure enables the prediction of genetic gains, resulting in the selection of genotypes from different similarity groups. Clone selection is the most promising strategy for the breeding of H. speciosa, thus ensuring a better response to selection in the short term than recurrent selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cerrado is the second largest biome in Brazil, and it is responsible for providing us several ecosystem services, including the functions of storing Carbon and biodiversity conservation. In this study, we developed a modeling approach to predict the Aboveground biomass (AGB) in Cerrado vegetation using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), vegetation indices retrieved from RapidEye satellite imagery, and field data acquired within the Federal District territory, Brazil. Correlation testing was performed to identify potential vegetation index candidates to be used as input in the AGB modeling. Several ANNs were trained to predict the AGB in the study area using vegetation indices and field data. The optimum ANN was selected according to criteria of mean error of the estimate, correlation coefficient, and graphical analysis. The best performing ANN showed a predictive power of 90% and RMSE less than 17%. The validation tests showed no significant difference between the observed and ANN-predicted values. We estimated an average AGB of 16.55± 8.6 Mg.ha-1 in shrublands in the study area. Our study results indicate that vegetation indices and ANNs combined could accurately estimate the AGB in the Cerrado vegetation in the study area, showing to be a promising methodological approach to be broadly applied throughout the Cerrado biome.

Mercury (Hg) is a chemical element that, depending on its concentration, may become toxic to living organisms due to the ability of Hg to bioaccumulate in food chains. In this study, we collected samples of soil, litter, and organisms in the Middle Araguaia floodplain, Brazil. Total mercury (THg) concentrations in litter were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than that in soil, ranging from 10.68 ± 0.55 to 48.94 ± 0.13 and 20.80 ± 1.07 to 55.19 ± 1.59 ng g−1, respectively. Total mercury concentration levels in soil showed a linear, inversely proportional relationship with soil organic matter (SOM) contents and soil pH, consistent with the geochemical behavior of chemical elements in flooded environments. Ten orders of organisms were identified, and the average THg concentrations determined in their bodies were up to 20 times higher than those in soil and litter. We found a significant linear relationship between the levels of THg in litter and those found in soil organisms, thereby allowing the prediction of THg concentration levels in soil organisms through the analysis of litter at the sample units. The different dynamics and feeding habits of soil organisms and the concentration of THg in these organisms may be influenced by the river's course. This study provides evidence of the bioaccumulation of THg in soil organisms in the floodplain of the Middle Araguaia River, an important river basin in the Brazilian savanna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Cerrado biome has tremendous social, heritage, and income-generating importance for traditional communities from this Brazilian region. Although the exotic fruits of Brazilian Cerrado are a subsistence source for communities that cultivate them and contribute to regional tourism promotion, they are not systematically studied. This study explores the potential of the biodiversity of exotic fruits from the Brazilian Cerrado biome as a promoter of food tourism. Exploring tourism and local production chains can enhance the development of Cerrado. Articulating this ‘new’ type of interaction between national public policies, local productive arrangements (LPA), traditional communities, and tourist activity actors can also help promote the exotic fruits from Cerrado. Thus, this is the first time the tourism experience emphasizing fruits has been explored as a promising alternative to regional development.

We describe and illustrate the semiaquatic Ptilodactylidae Anchytarsus campanerisp. n., based on adult and immature specimens collected in a small mountainous stream in Tocantins State (Brazil). Mature larvae, pupae and adults were found co-occurring in partially submerged leaf packs. Adults can be easily recognized by their total body length and body length/width ratio, shape of the last labial palpomere of the male and aedeagal morphology. We also provide updated taxonomic keys to identify larvae and adults of Anchytarsus and notes on their biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ravines and gullies are advanced stages of linear erosion that occur in many countries, causing economic, social, and environmental impacts. This research aims at analyzing the official record of disasters caused by ravines and gullies in Brazil, with a focus on analyzing the economic impacts. The Brazilian Civil Defense Integrated Information System (S2ID) database was applied in the analysis, combined with a bibliographic review made in the Scopus database. The results obtained from the civil defense database show a growing trend in the number of disasters related to ravines and gullies in the last decade (2011–2020), with 76 cases recorded between January 2013 and May 2019. From these 76 cases, 24 of them were further analyzed to provide information about the socioeconomic impacts. In total, an estimated loss of US$ 54 million was recorded in the considered period. The greatest economic impacts were related to damage to public infrastructure, such as sanitary and sewage water system, buildings and, especially, residential areas in urban perimeters. The spatial distribution of disasters related to linear erosion in Brazil suggests a connection between the development of ravines and gullies and the agricultural frontier of the country, especially in the North and Midwest regions, including the biomes of Cerrado (Brazilian Savanna) and Amazon Rainforest, where the greatest changes in land use occurred between the end of the twentieth and the beginning of the twenty-first century. Although the S2ID is an important data base for analyzing the impacts caused by ravines and gullies, the results suggest that the system's records do not account for medium- and long-term impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Corticioid and poroid fungi are widely known for wood decomposition which confers an important ecological role and biotechnological properties upon these species. Although being one of the most studied groups of fungi worldwide, data on diversity and geographic occurrence patterns in Brazil are insufficient, especially in poorly studied areas, including the Cerrado biome. Here we present an overview of the scientific literature concerning the corticioid and poroid fungi from Cerrado, along with a list of species found in the biome so far. The historic research at Cerrado comprised 47 articles published between 1876 and 2021, of which 55% were published in the last decade. We found 387 records and 223 species, while 94 species are new additions to the checklists published in the last decade. Six of the listed species are endemic to Cerrado. Furthermore, 29 species are only known from Cerrado in Brazil, although they occur in other regions of the world. The main research groups focused on these fungi in Brazil have already published at least one article with samples from Cerrado. Therefore, intensifying studies throughout Cerrado could help in a better understanding of its Funga, its evolutionary relationship, and its threatens status.

We report the first occurrence of the genus Gyrodontium Pat. from the Brazilian Cerrado based on our finding of G. sacchari (Spreng.) Hjortstam. This also represents the first record of the family Coniophoraceae from the Midwest Region of central Brazil. We identified the sample by morphological and phylogenetic analyses (ITS gene), and a voucher was deposited in the fungarium of the Universidade Estadual de Goiás (HUEG-Fungi). This record adds to the knowledge of the Cerrado’s funga by providing new phylogenetic and biogeographic data for G. sacchari from a Neotropical region.

The ecological influence of functional traits on species persistence as well as on their role over the organization of forest communities in the Brazilian Cerrado biome have not been fully understood yet. In this study, we assessed the effects of six functional groups, characterized by three seed dispersal syndromes (i.e., anemochory, autochory, and zoochory) and three wood density classes (i.e., hardwood, lightwood, and softwood), on tree spatial distribution patterns, habitat occupancy, and ecosystem services (biomass hyper dominance and abundance) provided by a forest community located in the “Parque do Lajeado”, state of Tocantins, Brazil. The similarity among study sites was characterized by applying the tree dominant height approach and the environmental and soil variables as input. The floristic similarity was assessed by applying the Bray-Curtis index. The zoochoric species showed more aggregated spatial pattern at local scale, which indicates that it is more sensitive to environmental gradients than other dispersal syndromes. Meanwhile, hardwood density species were more established in the community, being more persistent to environmental filters. We observed that a small number of species contributed with about 50% of the abundance and biomass of the community, whose functional traits (wood density and dispersal syndrome) indirectly affect the relationship among the community species richness and their ecosystem functions. We observed that the functional traits related to seed dispersal and wood density functional groups resulted in different spatial distribution patterns of those tree species. Therefore, functional traits and environmental factors combined have substantially affected the structure and composition of forest communities at local scale.

Extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) are nectar-secreting plant glands not related to pollination. Several not mutually exclusive hypotheses explain the ecological function of EFNs. We focused on the (1) protection hypothesis, which predicts the attraction of natural enemies by the extrafloral nectar, providing indirect defense to plants against herbivores, and the (2) ant-distracting hypothesis, which predicts the distraction of ants away from sap-sucking herbivores secreting sugary rewards (honeydew). We aimed to test both hypotheses simultaneously to understand the relative ecological roles of EFNs in a model plant from the Brazilian Cerrado. We experimentally manipulated plant groups according to the presence or absence of EFNs and hemipterans during two years of field study (2018 and 2019). We found some support for both hypotheses. Extrafloral nectaries reduced the damage caused by herbivores by attracting predatory ants, although plants with both EFNs and hemipterans showed the highest herbivory reduction in 2018. The presence of neither EFNs nor hemipterans was associated with increased fruit production. The honeydew, which had higher sugar concentrations than the extrafloral nectar, was used by ants for longer periods. However, more than 70% of the ants were observed feeding on the extrafloral nectar instead of honeydew. We suggest that the relatively high quantity of EFNs can compensate for their lower quality and still reduce the number of ants attending and protecting hemipterans, ultimately mitigating plant damage. In summary, EFNs may fit multiple functions depending on the ecological context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat loss and natural vegetation fragmentation are significant causes of global biodiversity decline, impacting plant and animal species negatively. This issue is worrisome in the private areas of Cerrado in Brazil, which is the second-largest biome, considered a hotspot for biodiversity conservation, and a provider of ecosystem services. Herein, we present a novel integrated approach to define priority areas for biodiversity conservation and environmental compensation in Cerrado, using multicriteria analysis. Our approach combines variables like deforestation projection, integral index of connectivity, threatened species occurrence, and environmental information of rural properties, ranking the importance of remaining native vegetation for biodiversity conservation and forest certificate issuance. Landscape metrics were used to observe and predict land use and land cover changes from 1988 to 2038. We found a loss of native vegetation in the Cerrado superior to 20% between 1988 and 2018, associated with increased of its fragmentation and its connectivity loss, especially after 2008. Natural cover was replaced mostly by pasture and more recently by agriculture. Moreover, we determined that is expected a loss of native vegetation of around 55% by 2038 in the study area. The proposed approach can predict the consequences of future changes in the landscape of the private areas in the Cerrado biome. It should be replicated in other ecosystems, supporting the decision-making process for biodiversity protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazilian tropical savanna (referred to as Cerrado) has enormous structural variability ranging from tree- and shrub-free grasslands to tall, dense forests that are found in both well-drained upland and seasonally flooded (hyperseasonal) landforms. These structural and hydrological variations cause variations in aboveground carbon (C) storage, and presumably nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) storage and fluxes; however, the effects of these structural and hydrological variations on ecosystem N and P pools and fluxes are less well-known. Thus, our objective was to analyze N and P pools and fluxes for a spectrum of Cerrado physiognomies in both upland and hyperseasonal landforms. N and P pools and fluxes were compiled over an 8-10 year period in structurally different forms of Cerrado, including both upland and hyperseasonal grass dominated (campo sujo), typical wooded (sensu stricto) and dense wooded cerrado, and forested Cerrado stands located in the Cuiaba Basin and Northern Pantanal of southern Mato Grosso, Brazil. We found that aboveground N and P storage was generally higher in forested Cerrado than in non-forest landcover types, regardless of hydrology; however, these patterns were not consistent as wood N and P storage was just as high in typical- and dense-wooded savanna as in forested savannas. Wood typically made up the largest aboveground vegetation N and P reservoir, even for woody-grass savanna (campo sujo) which had a substantially lower tree density than wooded or forested savanna, followed by litter and roots, and then foliage. However, the vast majority of N and P was found in the upper 50 cm soil layer, accounting for 82-98% and 72-98% of the total ecosystem N and P, respectively, and even if only the 0-10 cm soil layer is considered, more than half of the ecosystem N and P was found in soil. Nutrient return via litter production was the largest flux followed by mineralization and root uptake, and nutrient cycling in litter production tended to be higher for forests than for wooded and woody-grass savannas. Savanna woodlands and forests in the Pantanal had higher N and P storage than comparable woodlands and forests in the Cuiaba Basin, presumably because of the shallower and stonier soils of the Cuiaba Basin. However, while the vegetation types studied here had large differences in structure (vegetation height, leaf area index, and density), the forested and wooded savannas had comparable belowground and wood N and P pools.

Natural landscapes are facing rapid transformation in many parts of the world, but the consequences of such changes for insects are poorly known. We evaluated how the conversion of the savannas and forests from Brazil´s Cerrado into lands devoted to intensive agriculture, livestock, or plantation forestry affects euglossine bees. We determined the effects of land-use change on the species richness of euglossines, and functional traits related to the body size and wing fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of a habitat generalist species. Few species were recorded in the anthropogenic land uses and most presented lower abundances in the converted than in the native habitats. The exception was Eulaema nigrita, whose average abundance in cattle pastures and in soy fields did not differ from that observed in the native habitats. However, El. nigrita males collected in pastures or in soy fields were significantly smaller than those from savannas and forests, whereas those from eucalypt tree plantations were smaller than those from savanna. Furthermore, El. nigrita males from the tree plantations had higher levels of FA in wing shape than those from native forests. Implications for conservation: Our results showed that land-use change in the Cerrado biodiversity hotspot causes the impoverishment and homogenization of the Euglossini fauna. Furthermore, we found evidence that the converted habitats present more stressful conditions for the larval development of some species. This indicates that the conservation of euglossine populations in human- modified Cerrado landscapes depends largely on the presence of protected areas, including those within rural private land as required by Brazil´s Native Vegetation Protection Law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advance of the agricultural frontier in the Cerrado areas (brazilian savanna), where the productive forces of agribusiness have exercised their domain, there has been an intense process of land appropriation for the production of commodities. The territories of some traditional communities, especially on the valley floor, began to be incorporated into latifundiums in order to constitute legal reserve areas, involving forgery of land documents and a conservationist discourse. The municipality of Formosa do Rio Preto stands out for its large concentration of land ownership, with various groups of agricultural production having advanced their properties over territories belonging to the traditional communities (geraizeiras), along the lines mentioned above. In this work, this process is examined in the light of the concepts of environmental injustice and environmental conflict, seeking to highlight the intertwining between the territory and environment categories. The research was carried out through different strategies, including field work, document analysis and interviews with members of the traditional communities (geraizeiras). The results reveal how the advance on the traditional territories leads to environmental injustices, through an unequal distribution of burdens and benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, Brazil was the seventh largest emitter of GHG (greenhouse gases), releasing ~2.16 GtCO2e (gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent) into the atmosphere. Activities related to land use contributed approximately 73% of national emissions in that year. Considering that pastures represent the primary land use in the country, occupying approximately 20% of the territory, the mapping and monitoring of C stocks in these areas is essential to determine their contribution to national emissions. In this study, based on the integrated use of the CENTURY model, georeferenced databases, and the R environment, we mapped and analyzed, for the first time, the C stocks dynamics associated with the pasture areas of the Cerrado biome between 2000 and 2019. The average C stocks in the soil (0–20 cm) and in the aboveground biomass estimated by modeling were ~31 MgC·ha−1 and ~4 MgC·ha−1, respectively, values close to those observed in the literature for the region. Furthermore, the model results corresponded to the edaphic patterns of the region, with the highest average estimated C stocks in Cambisols (~34 MgC·ha−1) and the lowest in Neosols (~29 MgC·ha−1). The temporal dynamics of soil C stocks in these areas are directly related to the age of the pastures. In fact, stocks tend to be reduced in recently converted areas and stabilized in areas that have been under this land use for a longer time (≥30 years). As a result, a loss of ~103 MtC (millions of tons of carbon) was estimated in the Cerrado pasture soils in twenty years. The mapping and monitoring of C stocks in this land use type through approaches such as the one presented in this study is essential to support the Brazilian government's efforts to mitigate C emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Agrotecnologia is the property of Universidade Estadual de Goias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nest predators use visual, acoustic and chemical cues to locate nests. In the Neotropics, predation is high being the main cause of nest failure. Despite that, it is still not completely clear what kind of information predators are using to find nests or whether predators respond differently according to habitat characteristics. Here, we executed an experimental manipulation to investigate how different ecological factors influence nest predation probability. We hypothesised that egg conspicuousness, nest clustering and a more open vegetation structure would increase nest predation probability, and that nest predation would be higher during the breeding season of most avian species in the region. We used artificial nests baited with plasticine and quail eggs (Coturnix coturnix), manipulated egg coloration and nest density. Artificial nests were distributed over forest and savanna-like vegetations. Overall predation rate was 40.9%. We found that nests baited with conspicuous eggs, located in open habitats, at higher densities and during the dry period were more predated. Results suggest that main predators must be visually orientated, and that egg crypsis is an important trait for open-nest species in the area. Moreover, a higher nest density may affect predator behaviour, favouring an increase in nest searching, which may be facilitated in open habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological influence of functional traits on species persistence as well as on their role over the organization of forest communities in the Brazilian Cerrado biome have not been fully understood yet. In this study, we assessed the effects of six functional groups, characterized by three seed dispersal syndromes (i.e., anemochory, autochory, and zoochory) and three wood density classes (i.e., hardwood, lightwood, and softwood), on tree spatial distribution patterns, habitat occupancy, and ecosystem services (biomass hyper dominance and abundance) provided by a forest community located in the "Parque do Lajeado", state of Tocantins, Brazil. The similarity among study sites was characterized by applying the tree dominant height approach and the environmental and soil variables as input. The floristic similarity was assessed by applying the Bray-Curtis index. The zoochoric species showed more aggregated spatial pattern at local scale, which indicates that it is more sensitive to environmental gradients than other dispersal syndromes. Meanwhile, hardwood density species were more established in the community, being more persistent to environmental filters. We observed that a small number of species contributed with about 50% of the abundance and biomass of the community, whose functional traits (wood density and dispersal syndrome) indirectly affect the relationship among the community species richness and their ecosystem functions. We observed that the functional traits related to seed dispersal and wood density functional groups resulted in different spatial distribution patterns of those tree species. Therefore, functional traits and environmental factors combined have substantially affected the structure and composition of forest communities at local scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT. We provide herein the first report of a nest of Ceratina (Ceratinula) fioreseana Oliveira, 2020, a species that was recently described for the Cerrado domain. The nest was collected in a Passiflora edulis Sims (Passifloraceae) plantation in Minas Gerais State, Brazil and was built in a trap nest, a dry petiole of Cecropia pachystachya Trécul (Urticaceae). Within the nest there was a living female and a brood cell without partition containing a pupa, whose adult female emerged 28 days after pupation. Pollen analysis revealed the dominance of Emilia fosbergii Nicolson (Asteraceae) pollen grains, a weed recorded a few meters from the nest. The record of an adult female within the nest with a pupa and the absence of nest partition might suggest social behavior in this bee species.

Studies assessing the effects of the spatial distribution of ant nests on ant‐plant mutualisms are rare, even though they could be decisive to the outcomes of such interactions. Here, we investigated how ant nest abundance and richness affected a Neotropical plant with extrafloral nectaries (EFN), Smilax polyantha (Smilacaceae).We used baits to sample all nests of mutualistic ants within a 12 m radius of each plant. All neighbouring plants with EFN within 10 m of each tagged plant were also sampled. We measured foliar herbivory and fruit production of each S. polyantha. We hypothesized that (i) high numbers of ant nests near S. polyantha individuals would reduce foliar herbivory and increase fruit production, and that (ii) high ant nest richness would increase foliar herbivory and reduce fruit production.Results showed that plants surrounded by more ant nests had lower foliar herbivory and higher fruit production. However, ant nest richness was associated with higher foliar herbivory. Furthermore, plants producing more leaves and those surrounded by more neighbouring plants with EFN had reduced herbivory. Despite this, S. polyantha had low numbers of ant nests and reduced fruit production when surrounded by high numbers of neighbours with EFN.We suggest that the spatial distribution of ant nests and resources (plants with EFN) play an important role in ant‐mediated mutualisms, where both ants and plants are likely competing for each other's services. Thus, incorporating these two variables in ecological models should provide insights into how protective mutualisms are structured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Question: The Cerrado is a global biodiversity hotspot, highly threatened by changes in land use. Alterations in species composition and the colonization of Cerrado grasslands by woody species can lead to long‐term changes in these communities. In this study, we investigated changes over 20 years in three grassland areas, in terms of species richness and diversity and growth‐form cover, as well as the effects of shrub and grass encroachment on species richness. Location: Cerrado Brazilian savanna, moist grassland and dry shrub grassland. Areas under low and high anthropogenic pressure. Methods: Plant species composition and cover were sampled on seven occasions between the years 2000 and 2020, in permanent line‐transects. We compared plant cover, richness, diversity and growth‐form cover between the periods for each area. Next, we developed mixed‐effect linear models to test whether species richness in grasslands at the latest sampling event was altered by species representing 70% of the species cover at this time. Results: Grasslands located in areas under higher anthropogenic pressure presented reduced richness and diversity, and cover concentrated on a few species of shrubs and large tussock grasses. Moist grassland undergoing encroachment by the native shrub Trembleya parviflora had lost over 50% of its diversity since encroachment. In the same area, a shrub grassland undergoing encroachment by native shrub Raulinoreitzia tremula, three native grass species and one exotic grass presented significantly reduced species richness. The moist grassland in an area under low anthropogenic pressure showed a reordering of the species cover over time, but a decrease in species richness. Conclusion: We observed changes in plant richness, diversity, cover, composition and growth‐form cover over a period of 20 years in grassland communities. We found, however, different trajectories in the three grassland areas sampled, mainly due to the encroachment of a few species, leading to floristic homogenization in grasslands located in areas under high anthropogenic pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around 40% of the original Brazilian savanna territory is occupied by pastures dominated by fast‐growing exotic C4 grasses, which impact ecosystem nutrient cycling. The restoration of these areas depends on the re‐establishment of soil processes.We assessed how restoration of abandoned pastures through direct seeding of native species and land‐management practices (burning and ploughing) affect soil nutrient cycling dynamics compared with native savannas. We compared the activity of soil enzymes related to carbon, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling as well as soil microbial biomass and soil chemical properties (pH and the concentration of N, P, potassium [K] and soil organic matter) among abandoned pastures, native savanna and restored areas.Abandoned pastures had faster nutrient turnover than native savanna, dominated by slow‐growing native species. This pattern was evident from the overall higher biomass‐specific enzyme activities in abandoned pastures than in native savanna. Compared with native savanna, restored areas had similar levels of soil enzyme activities, but lower microbial biomass and soil organic matter. The low enzyme activity in restored areas was likely related to a reduced soil organic carbon concentration due to practices such as burning and ploughing, rather than the restoration of plant–soil feedback. The lower immobilization of nutrients in microbial biomass and lower retention of nutrients in restored areas, compared with native savanna, is expected to favour the re‐establishment of fast‐growing exotic species.Synthesis and application. Despite reducing the resprouting and germination of exotic grasses and improving the establishment of native grasses in the short term, restoration practices have major impacts on the soil microbial community and soil fertility. The reduction of soil microbial biomass and organic matter content reduces the immobilization of soil nutrients and is expected to favour a fast nutrient turnover in the ecosystem. This may result in the re‐establishment of exotic grasses in the long term. Future efforts should focus on the recovery of soil organic matter content and the establishment of soil microbial communities similar to native ecosystems after the application of land‐management practices. Therefore, the restoration of abandoned pastures should consider a greater focus on restoring soil carbon and nutrient cycling [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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• The taxonomic and functional diversity of Cerrado wetlands (vereda) undergoing woody encroachment were analyzed. • Woody vegetation cover increased, and species richness, and taxonomic and functional diversity decreased. • Under woody encroachments the groundwater level in the vereda has become deeper. • Soils were more acid and with higher organic matter content. • Woody encroachments are leading the vereda to a different plant structure, and with more resource-acquisitive plant traits. The encroachment of woody species has been affecting wetlands in the Cerrado biome, Brazil. This process has resulted in changes in plant diversity, soil physicochemical properties, and water availability. This study assessed changes in the taxonomic and functional diversity of plants and soil in Veredas wetlands in process of reduction in water availability and woody plant encroachment. Over a 14-year interval, we quantified taxonomic and plant functional diversity, soil physicochemical properties, groundwater depth, and its relationship with historical soil moisture using remote sensing in veredas. We investigated the effect of increased groundwater depth, woody vegetation cover, and changes in soil properties on species cover and richness. We observed a five to seven-fold increase in woody vegetation cover, accompanied by an increased in the richness of woody species from 21.4 % to 28.9 %. Nevertheless, this was counterbalanced by a 15.8 % to 35.2 % reduction in overall species richness and taxonomic diversity. At the same time, functional diversity decreased, leading to a community with more acquisitive traits. Groundwater depth increased from 20 to 60 cm. Soil properties changed, especially organic matter content, which increased two to 14 times. Changes in species richness and cover were related to increased organic matter and groundwater depth. The surveyed veredas exhibited considerable changes in plant species richness, soil, and hydrological properties, as well as woody vegetation cover, over 14 years. The veredas formed distinct functional composition groups between sampling times. However, only one vereda exhibited a reduction in functional richness, and neither showed temporal functional divergence. Woody encroachments are leading these veredas to an alternative state with a reduced herbaceous diversity, structurally denser, and with more resource-acquisitive plant traits in the community. The Woody encroachment reducing soil water availability, may impact ecosystem services, particularly water provision and biodiversity loss in the Cerrado region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biotropica is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Question: Is there a decrease in the richness, structural variables and composition similarity of woody Cerrado species with habitat–matrix distance, potentially influenced by soil compaction and propagule dispersal strategies in the pasture matrix? Location: We studied three landscapes of a pasture matrix in areas of the Cerrado biome in southwestern São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: We sampled 110 plots of 2 m × 2 m in the matrix, stratified in ranges perpendicular to the edge of the habitat, and 10 plots in the forest with no edge effect (60 m from the edge). We undertook soil sampling and collected information about the plants (taxonomy, height, circumference and establishment form by germination or resprouting). We defined habitat distance as the predictor variable for the following response variables: abundance, richness, establishment form, mean height, mean diameter at soil height and dispersal syndrome of the individuals sampled; in addition to the porosity and bulk density of the sampled soil. Results: We found significant differences between habitat and matrix for abundance, richness, mean height and germination number, but non-significant differences for resprouting number and mean diameter at soil height. There was no relationship regarding matrix–habitat distances for structural variables, and habitat species composition was similar only for the first 10 m distance from the habitat edge. Conclusion: Pasture did not prevent plant establishment but might act as an environmental filter. Pasture matrices modify the composition and diversity of the plant community compared with the Cerrado community. Pastures are dominated by resprouting, autochory and grassland species. Regenerating plants from the propagule bank of the matrix showed the potential for natural regeneration of Cerrado areas in pasture as a restoration strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerrado has many compounds that have been used as biopesticides, herbicides, medicines, and others due to their highly toxic potential. Thus, this review aims to present information about the toxicity of Cerrado plants. For this purpose, a review was performed using PubMed, Science Direct, and Web Of Science databases. After applying exclusion criteria, 187 articles published in the last 20 years were selected and analyzed. Detailed information about the extract preparation, part of the plant used, dose/concentration tested, model system, and employed assay was provided for different toxic activities described in the literature, namely cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, antiparasitic, and molluscicidal activities. In addition, the steps to execute research on plant toxicity and the more common methods employed were discussed. This review synthesized and organized the available research on the toxic effects of Cerrado plants, which could contribute to the future design of new environmentally safe products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Copernicia prunifera belongs to the Arecaceae family, and its production chain includes a set of economic activities based on the use of the stipe, petiole, fiber, fruits, roots, and leaves from which carnaúba wax is extracted, an economically valuable resource in the region. This study aimed to evaluate the uses, management, and perception of the species by local extractors. Methods Two communities were studied, Bem Quer, where 15 extractors of carnaúba leaves were interviewed, and Cana, where 21 extractors considered specialists were interviewed, totaling a sample of 36 interviewees. Interviewees were asked questions about uses, ways of handling, and perception of morphological variation in the carnaúba leaves. The number of leaves extracted and the income obtained from the sale of leaves were estimated from interviews and notes that each leader of extractors held during the year of the research and previous years, as well as direct observations made by researchers in the communities which recollection area of straw hold about 80 thousand individuals of C. prunifera. A regression analysis was used to explore the relationships between social variables (age, time in extractive activity, and income obtained from extraction) with the number of leaves exploited. Results The leaf was indicated as the most used part, from which an important powder is extracted for the production of wax. In addition, the leaf was also indicated to be used for fertilization and construction. The relationship between the socioeconomic variables, income from extraction, and the number of leaves extracted (in thousands) was significant (R 2 = 0.73 and p < 0.001). However, the other variables analyzed in this study, such as the time spent extracting leaves and the years of residence in the community (R 2 = 0.03 and p > 0.05); the number of leaves extracted and interviewee age (R 2= 0.05 and p > 0.05); and the number of leaves extracted and extraction time (R 2 = 0.04 and p > 0.05) did not indicate a relationship. Conclusion Local extractors observed that new leaves have the highest sales value, as they have the highest production of powder. In addition, economic factor is the preponderant force that directs the management strategies of native species. For this species, however, morphological and genetic studies are needed for further clarification.

Parque Estadual do Juquery is the largest protected remnant of savanna grassland in the metropolitan region of São Paulo (MRSP). We conducted a floristic inventory and created a photographic record of the angiosperm flora of the savanna formations in this area and compared it with those of other Cerrado sites using Jaccard’s similarity index. We present a list with 366 species, distributed in 58 botanical families. Asteraceae and Poaceae were the families with the highest species richness. Eighty-six new occurrences were recorded in the park. According to the São Paulo state Red List, 14 species are threatened by extinction, of which four are presumably extinct. Most species are herbaceous (36.0%) and sub-shrub plants (26.5%). No floristic similarity was observed with other savanna formations in the countryside of the state of São Paulo. Our results emphasize the importance of the Parque Estadual do Juquery for the conservation of savanna grassland formations in the MRSP and the protection of locally endangered species.

The Brazilian Cerrado is a biodiversity hotspot characterized by a mosaic of phytophysiognomies and soil types. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are important components of biodiversity, participating in symbiotic relationships with plants and involved in ecosystem functioning. Variations in the AMF communities in Cerrado phytophysiognomies are not well understood. We collected soil samples in the dry, transition (dry to rainy), and rainy seasons to evaluate relationships between the AMF community, vegetation, and soil physicochemical parameters of three Cerrado phytophysiognomies that constitute a structural gradient (campo sujo: grassland, cerrado típico: savanna, and cerradão: forest) across seasons. The floristic similarity was high between cerrado grassland and savanna, but lower between cerrado forest and grassland and between cerrado forest and savanna. Twenty-six AMF species were identified, with genera Glomus and Acaulospora common to all phytophysiognomies. AMF communities showed low similarity between different phytophysiognomies. Spore density differed between the phytophysiognomies, increasing from grassland to cerrado forest. Seasonal distribution of precipitation affected the AMF community in cerrado savanna and forest, but not in grassland soil. Differences in edaphic factors were important drivers of AMF spore density that correlated positively with soil parameters. Except for woody plant biomass, which correlated positively with spore density in the dry and transition/rainy season, no vegetation parameters showed significant correlations with spore density in any season. Despite the high floristic similarity between cerrado grassland and savanna, similarity between AMF communities is low, highlighting the importance of the vegetation gradient and its conservation in the structuring of these fungal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iheringia. Série Zoologia is the property of Fundacao Zoobotanica do Rio Grande do Sul and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We evaluated the influence of soil properties, climate, and space on the distribution of herbaceous-shrub species in the Cerrado biome. We determined species composition, cover, and richness along 25 line transects in Cerrado (savanna-like vegetation) in three protected areas with different soil types and altitudes. Soil physicochemical properties, climate, and geographic coordinates were included in the analysis as species distribution predictors. We observed high species richness in all sites, especially in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park (PNCV) and the Brasília National Park (PNB), with over 200 species each. Only 16% of the species were recorded in all sites, indicating high species turnover for Cerrado herbaceous-shrub layer. The transformation-based redundancy analysis indicated that differences in the herbaceous-shrub flora were associated with soil physicochemical properties and climate. Species composition was primarily influenced by higher annual precipitation for PNCV, by the highest clay content and soil pH for PNB, and by greater annual mean temperature for Terra Ronca State Park (PETER). Soil, climate, and their spatially structured fraction explained herbaceous-shrub species distribution in the Cerrado (43.6%). The spatial variation which is not correlated to the environment adds only 4.5% to the model. Taken together, our findings provide a basis for understanding the distribution patterns of herbaceous-shrub species across climate, soil, and geographic distance. These findings are critical for the development of strategies to protect biodiversity and endangered species in the Cerrado, especially in the region most threatened by deforestation (PETER). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ecological knowledge plays a significant role in ensuring efficient ecological restoration. We conducted a systematic review to assess if sufficient ecological knowledge has been accumulated to aid restoration practices for the Cerrado, a Brazilian biome dominated by savanna ecosystems and threatened by anthropogenic disturbances. Most Cerrado restoration studies were performed by few research groups and focused primarily on two vegetation types: cerrado sensu stricto (typical savanna) and riparian forest. We also found that defining reference ecosystems and selecting plant species for restoration programs is neglected, mostly disregarding their original occurrence and proportion of plant growth forms. Furthermore, studies lacked standardized and systematic evaluation of restoration outcomes. Hence, we argue that current ecological knowledge is insufficient to guarantee the success of large-scale ecological restoration of the Cerrado. We strengthen the need to explicitly define the reference ecosystem for each Cerrado ecosystem and use its structure and composition as guidance for ecological restoration research, which should be based on a scientific approach. We encourage investigations into ecological dynamics and natural regeneration of the different vegetation types of the Cerrado and highlight the importance of integrating such knowledge with environmental laws, societal engagement and cost-effective techniques to advance Cerrado ecological restoration.

ABSTRACT Arterial hypertension is a worldwide public health problem and the search for new medicines is one of the biggest challenges for the treatment of this pathology. Secondary metabolites of plants exhibit pharmacological properties of great phyto therapeutic interest. Cerrado is one of the largest biomes in Brazil and research with Cerrado plants as therapeutic resources is of growing interest. Our objective was to compile data regarding the Cerrado plants that already have some of their active compounds described and may potentially be used to treat arterial hypertension. We concluded that flavonoids, tannins, steroids and saponins exhibit important properties to low blood pressure. Thus, the species from Cerrado Brazilian such as pau-paraíba (Simarouba versicolor), pau-santo (Kielmeyera coriacea), abiu-do-cerrado (Pouteria torta), guarandi (Calophyllum brasiliense), bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba), puçá-amarelo (Mouriri elliptica), fava-de-anta (Dimorphandramollis), murici (Byrsonima crassifolia) and cereja-do-cerrado (Eugenia calycina) are strong candidates for future herbal studies in this field.

1. The resource partitioning hypothesis states that sympatric, morphologically, and functionally similar species can coexist by temporal separation or low food overlap. Also, the interindividual variations about the use of resources, i.e. individual specialisation, can promote the resilience and stability of their populations when an environmental disturbance affects food availability. 2. Two sympatric and polylectic species of carpenter bees to test both the hypotheses of food niche partitioning and the occurrence of individual specialisation were used. 3. The study was conducted in two Brazilian Savanna areas and the trophic niches of Xylocopa grisescens and X. frontalis were determined by the diversity of pollen types obtained from larval food samples. Individual‐resource networks were constructed to elucidate the patterns of resource use by the individuals of each species. 4. The populations of the two bee species moderately overlapped their trophic niche. Xylocopa grisescens mainly used the pollen of non‐poricidal plants, whereas X. frontalis used pollen from plants with poricidal anthers. Individual‐resource networks of both species are weakly connected, highly specialised, and modular. 5. In conclusion, the results suggest that the coexistence between Xylocopa grisescens and X. frontalis probably occurs due to food resource partitioning. Furthermore, the results about individual‐resource networks of both species seem to reveal the occurrence of interindividual variations regarding food resource foraging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hummingbirds in the Cerrado, the seasonal savannas in Central Brazil, visit both ornithophilous and non-ornithophilous flowers to collect nectar, which is the main source of energy and nutrients to these pollinators. The aim of the present study was to assess the volume, concentration, energy content and sugar composition of nectar collected from 34 hummingbird-visited flower species. We expect that nectar traits of non-ornithophilous species visited by hummingbirds are similar to those of ornithophilous species. Nectar samples were collected from different plant formations in the Cerrado region at Panga Ecological Station, Uberlândia City, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Samples were obtained from 19 ornithophilous, 10 entomophilous and five chiropterophilous species. Nectar traits, such as volume, sugar concentration and energy content, did not significantly differ between ornithophilous and non-ornithophilous flowers. However, about 80% of the sampled species had sucrose-rich nectar, whereas other species, mainly chiropterophilous, had hexose-rich nectar. Overall, ornithophilous and chiropterophilous flower nectars shared similar energy content. On the other hand, the sugar-chemical composition of nectar from ornithophilous flowers was more similar to that of sucrose-rich entomophilous flowers. There is broad consensus that the nectar in flowers of hummingbird-pollinated species is rich in sucrose. However, hummingbirds visit several savanna plant species unrelated to the ornithophilous pollination syndrome. This trend indicates that hummingbirds show plasticity in selecting plant nectar sources when feeding, mainly in resource-fluctuating environments such as the Cerrado. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germination timing is determined by several plant life‐history traits. Seed dormancy regulates the time and place of early plant development and spreads recruitment risks over time. Dispersal phenology and syndrome can influence germination timing and buffer spatial heterogeneity. The ecological requirements for germination (the germination niche) can also influence when and where germination takes place. To date, the relative importance of each of these four traits to ensure the phenological adaptation of individual species in diverse communities remains unexplored. Here, we investigated the functional interactions among them and their relevance in heterogenous, seasonally dry environments. We collected seed dispersal phenology and syndrome for 82 species of the Brazilian savanna (cerrado) and evaluated the dormancy and germination behavior of the seeds of every taxon. Based on these data, we developed two new ecological indexes to estimate the likelihood of a non‐dormant seed to germinate upon dispersal (∆G) and the overall variability of germination through time (σT). We then evaluated the influence of each trait on germination timing within a phylogenetically controlled framework. Our results show that even though germination is concentrated at the beginning of the rainy season, seed dispersal takes place year‐round. Non‐dormant seeds released during the dry season were characterized by high ∆G values that delayed their germination until the onset of the favorable season. Simultaneously, seed dormancy and spatial dispersal (i.e., the two risk‐reduction mechanisms) were negatively correlated as dormancy and high σT values were only prevalent in seeds with reduced spatial dispersal ability. We conclude that the timing of seed germination is ultimately the net outcome of adaptive interactions among life‐history traits, which can result in multiple functionally equivalent phenotypes. It is possible that this might contribute to community diversity by providing opportunities for the coexistence of different species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Davilla elliptica A. St.-Hil, also known as “lixeirinha or sambaibinha” is a shrub belonging to the Dilleniaceae family that occurs naturally in the Brazilian savannah (Cerrado). Research studies have shown evidence of its gastroprotective effect, as well as its benefits as an anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. However, there are no studies testing the potential effects of D. elliptica on treating metabolic parameters and obesity. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate D. elliptica effects on hepatic steatosis induced by a high-fat/high-sugar diet. Methods: Animal experimentation was performed using male Swiss mice divided into four groups: ST (standard control), HLHS (obese control), HLHS+EAF (ethyl-acetate fraction), and HLHS+PL (leaf powder). The groups were treated for four weeks with 0.26 mg/kg/body weight. Results: The main findings of the present study showed that D. elliptica reduced hepatic lipid deposition, body weight, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels. Gene expression analysis showed that GPX4 and PPARγ mRNA were significantly suppressed in HLHS + EAF mice livers. Conclusion: The present study contributes to elucidating the D. elliptica metabolic role in decreasing GPX4 and PPARγ expression in the HLHS group.

The hand-net is the standard method for capturing mosquitoes with sylvatic diurnal activity in disease outbreaks in Brazil. However, occupational risks and biases related to the collectors’ abilities and attractiveness are important limitations. In this study, we compared hand-nets with automatic traps (CDC) associated to CO2 and BG-Lure® in the Vassununga State Park, a Brazilian Savanna protection area. The collections carried out over 27 days on the ground and the forest canopy. A total of 1555 mosquitoes were obtained in 20 taxa. The diversity index ranged between 1.12 and 1.79 and the dominance index from 0.22 to 0.40. The dominant species on the ground was Aedes scapularis (46.0%), and in the canopy, Hg. janthinomys/capricornii (31.9%). Haemagogus leucocelaenus was rare (n = 2). The hand-net resulted in the greatest diversity and abundance of species in both strata, followed by the traps associated with CO2. A low degree of similarity was observed between the hand-net on the ground compared to the other capture methods. The use of BG-Lure® alone resulted in a low number of specimens. In conclusion, the hand-net is still the method of choice for collecting arbovirus vectors in the diurnal period, especially yellow fever vectors.

In 2020, Brazil was the seventh largest emitter of GHG (greenhouse gases), releasing ~2.16 GtCO2e (gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent) into the atmosphere. Activities related to land use contributed approximately 73% of national emissions in that year. Considering that pastures represent the primary land use in the country, occupying approximately 20% of the territory, the mapping and monitoring of C stocks in these areas is essential to determine their contribution to national emissions. In this study, based on the integrated use of the CENTURY model, georeferenced databases, and the R environment, we mapped and analyzed, for the first time, the C stocks dynamics associated with the pasture areas of the Cerrado biome between 2000 and 2019. The average C stocks in the soil (0–20 cm) and in the aboveground biomass estimated by modeling were ~31 MgC·ha−1 and ~4 MgC·ha−1, respectively, values close to those observed in the literature for the region. Furthermore, the model results corresponded to the edaphic patterns of the region, with the highest average estimated C stocks in Cambisols (~34 MgC·ha−1) and the lowest in Neosols (~29 MgC·ha−1). The temporal dynamics of soil C stocks in these areas are directly related to the age of the pastures. In fact, stocks tend to be reduced in recently converted areas and stabilized in areas that have been under this land use for a longer time (≥30 years). As a result, a loss of ~103 MtC (millions of tons of carbon) was estimated in the Cerrado pasture soils in twenty years. The mapping and monitoring of C stocks in this land use type through approaches such as the one presented in this study is essential to support the Brazilian government’s efforts to mitigate C emissions.

Eugenia dysenterica DC. is a native tree from the Brazilian Savanna known as a genetic resource for its fruits and culinary potential. The knowledge on the genetic variability of agronomic traits is important to support studies on its conservation and domestication. This study aimed to estimate the quantitative genetic parameters of initial growth traits among and within E. dysenterica subpopulations, in provenance and progeny testing, and establish a germplasm collection representative of the species distribution. For that, 25 natural subpopulations were sampled and, within each subpopulation, six mother trees. The progenies were sown in a nursery, in a randomized complete blocks design consisting of 150 progenies, four replications and five plants per plot. The analysis of variance of the initial development traits revealed a greater variability among the progenies within the subpopulation than that observed among the subpopulations. The aboveground biomass represented only 15 % of the total biomass, a recurrent characteristic in Brazilian Savanna species. The estimated heritability and coefficients of genetic variation presented selection potential for the initial development traits, which are important for commercial seedlings production. An in vivo ex situ germplasm collection was established for conservation and breeding purposes, using a sample of four plants from each progeny.