Effect of slope on the forest structure of the Atlantic Forest domain in southern Brazil

Abstract The mosaic landscape composition of forest fragments located on high slopes, shallow soils hinder ecological interactions and the survival of plant species. This study aimed to show, in an environment with these characteristics, the effect of the environmental gradient relating the soil, slope, and vegetation of a fragment of the Montane Seasonal Semideciduous Forest. The forest structure was sampled in 12 continuous rectangular plots, with 30 X 20m, totaling 0.72ha. Soil samples were taken by drilling every 20m along the hydrographic divisor and opening of three trenches used as soil sampling sites for in situ determination of soil color, horizon, and nutrients. Horizons were classified as O/A/Cr in the altered rock with a marked presence of gravels, and the soil was classified as Litholic Neosol. The area has a steep slope, from 18.05% to 36.99%. Linear regression analysis indicated an opposite pattern for species richness in relation to slope and a positive relationship between slope and the number of standing dead individuals. Species richness was also positively related to the distance from forest edges. The evaluation evidenced the strong influence of slope and human activities in forest remnant as common to several high-altitude remnants, and small conservation actions can guarantee their maintenance.

Increased capture efficiency of Scolytinae with modified semi-funnel trap model

Abstract Scolytinae species that, in high populations, can damage reducing wood production in forest crops. These beetles are monitored with traps baited with ethanol and increasing their efficiency can improve the integrated management of these insects. The objective was to evaluate the increase in the capture efficiency of Scolytinae with a semi-funnel trap model, in two experiments, one including wooden elements and other increasing the flight interception area and to correlate the numbers of these beetles collected with climatic factors. In the experiment 1, Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake slats were directly attached to the collector flask and in another treatment, in addition to these slats, Cedrela sp. strips were inserted inside the bait holding hose. In the experiment 2, the insect interception area in the trap, originally 480 cm2, was expanded to 1,200 cm2 and compared with the model Pet–Santa Maria trap with an interception area of 550 cm2. Weekly collections were carried out between May 2018 and June 2019. The beetles collected were taken to the Wood Biodeterioration Laboratory of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ) where they were sorted, identified at family level, counted and their number correlated with climatic factors. Statistical analyzes of the collected data were processed by the BioStat® 5.3 program. In the experiment 1 were collected 869 Scolytinae. The numbers of beetles collected per trap without modification, with E. urophylla slats and E. urophylla slats + Cedrela sp. strips were similar, 7.3 ± 3.8, 7.8 ± 6.2 and 7.7 ± 5.0 respectively. In the experiment 2 were collected 4,398 Scolytinae. Increasing the interception area of the beetles increased the efficiency of the semi-funnel trap, with 42.7 ± 20.5 Scolytinae collected compared to the original semi-funnel trap, 28.6 ± 12.6 and the Pet–Santa Maria, 20.4 ± 10.4, per trap. The number of Scolytinae did not correlate with climatic factors in the experiment 1 and it was correlated with temperature, relative humidity and wind speed, but not with precipitation, in the 2. The incorporation of E. urophylla slats or Cedrela sp. strips in the semi-funnel trap did not increase the number of beetles collected, but, the increase in the flight interception area and the temperature, relative humidity and wind speed were correlated with the number of beetles collected.

Short-term impact of a wildfire on the homeostasis of Tropidurus oreadicus lizards

Wildfires cause significant changes in natural habitats and can impact lizard populations. Through changes in the thermal environment, reduced prey availability, and increased exposure to parasite vectors, wildfires affect lizard physiology, immunity, and health. We sampled 56 Tropidurus oreadicus lizards from Cerrado savannas of Brazil living in two adjacent sites: one burned 14 days before the study, and the other unburned for 6 years. We logged the air temperatures of those sites throughout fieldwork. We assessed the short-term possible homeostatic imbalances caused by the fires via measuring body mass, circulating levels of corticosterone (CORT), leukocytes profile changes in heterophile-lymphocyte ratios (HLRs), innate immunity using the bacterial killing assay (BKA), and the diagnosis of hemoparasites using molecular techniques. The air temperature was significantly higher in the burned site. There was no difference in lizard body mass between the two sites, suggesting that prey availability was not affected by the wildfire. While parasite presence was seemingly not affected by fire, the timing of initial parasite infection for animals in the study was unknown, so we also evaluated parasitism as an independent variable relative to the other metrics. Our results showed that parasitic infections lead to reduced bactericidal capacity and body mass in lizards, suggesting clinical disease and depletion of innate immune resources. Moreover, we observed increased HLR with fire and parasitic infections and a strong negative correlation with BKA. These findings suggest that the increased environmental temperature following wildfires may lead to increased CORT and decreased BKA.

Spatiotemporal Distributions of Scolytinae Beetles in the Subtropical Forests of Southern China

Scolytinae beetles serve as important regulators of ecosystem integrity. However, some of these species have been identified as important pests. The Guangdong region of China exhibits unique geographic characteristics, but is also subject to substantial anthropogenic disturbances, making it an important region for ecological research. This study was designed to assess the biodiversity and abundance of these Scolytinae beetles in subtropical areas, to define indicators associated with environmental disturbances, and to thereby provide additional valuable information that can support the conservation of the ecosystem and the monitoring and controling of pest species. For these analyses, a two-season survey of Scolytinae communities was performed across three habitats to examine the patterns of variation within these communities. These analyses revealed that environmental disturbances were associated with a drop in Scolytinae beetle population diversity, with Hypothenemus sp.2, Xyleborinus andrewesi, and Xyleborinus artestriatus offering particular value as indicators associated with severe environmental disruptions. Plant diversity and composition also impacted Scolytinae beetle communities through a range of complex mechanisms. Scolytinae beetle diversity was also found to be higher during the rainy season relative to the dry season, with beetle abundance being responsive to average temperatures, but unrelated to average relative humidity levels.

Effect of mycorrhizae on phosphate fertilization efficiency and maize growth under field conditions

Phosphorus (P) is a plant macronutrient that is indispensable for maize (Zea mays L.) production. However, P is difficult to manage in weathered soils, and its fertilization practice has low efficiency because it becomes unavailable for absorption by plant roots. Symbiosis of plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increases plant growth and enhances P uptake from the soil that is not directly available to the roots. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine how inoculation with Rhizophagus intraradices and phosphate fertilization interacts and influences the development and productivity of second-crop maize. The experiment was conducted in Selvíria, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, in 2019 and 2020, both in a Typic Haplorthox. A randomized block design in subdivided plots was used for the phosphate application during crop sowing (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% concentrations of the recommended level), and the secondary treatments were the doses of mycorrhizal inoculant (0, 60, 120 and 180 g ha-1) applied to the seed using a dry powder inoculant containing 20,800 infectious propagules per gram of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus R. intraradices. Only in the first year of the experiment, inoculation and phosphate fertilization promoted benefits to the maize crop, indicating potential to increase yield.

Hybridization despite elaborate courtship behavior and female choice in Neotropical tree frogs

The mechanisms of hybridization can be elucidated by analyzing genotypes as well as phenotypes that could act as premating barriers, as the reproductive interactions among heterospecifics can alter the evolutionary history of species. In frogs, hybrids typically occur among species that reproduce explosively (in dense aggregations) with few opportunities for mate selection but are rare in species with elaborate courtship behaviors that may prevent erroneous mating. Using 21 microsatellite markers, we examined hybridization in the prolonged-breeding tree frogs Bokermannohyla ibitiguara and B. sazimai sampled within a contact zone in the Brazilian savanna (72 tadpoles; 74 adults). We also compared acoustic and morphological data. We confirmed both parental species genetically; STRUCTURE results confirmed 14 hybrids, 11 of which were second-generation according to NEWHYBRIDS, all with intermediate values of genetic dissimilarities compared to the parentals. Morphological and acoustic analyses revealed that hybrids showed variable but not necessarily intermediate phenotypes. Moreover, 2 hybrids exhibited call types different from parentals. The reproduction of B. ibitiguara involves territorial and aggressive males, elaborate courtships with acoustic and tactile stimuli, choosy females, and opportunistic strategies. Our study uncovers a rare case of viable hybridization among closely related frogs with such a combination of complex courtship behaviors and mate choice. We discuss the likely directionality and mechanisms behind this phenomenon, and highlight the importance of investigating hybridization even in species that show elaborate reproduction and female choice to advance our understanding of animal diversification.

Ilex paraguariensis Hosts Root-Trichoderma spp. with Plant-Growth-Promoting Traits: Characterization as Biological Control Agents and Biofertilizers

In this study, the effect of native plant-growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM) as bio-inoculants was assessed as an alternative to improve Ilex paraguariensis Saint Hilaire growth in the nursery. Fourteen Trichoderma strains isolated from yerba mate roots were evaluated in vitro for their potential as biological control agents (BCA) and PGPM. The PGPM properties were evaluated through the strain's antagonistic activity against three fungal pathogens (Alternaria sp., F. oxysporum, and F. solani) plus the production of extracellular cell-wall-degrading enzymes such as chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, and cellulase. These results were used to calculate different PGPM indices to select the strains with the optimal properties. Four Trichoderma strains: T. asperelloides LBM193, LBM204, LBM206, and Trichoderma sp. LBM202, were selected based on their indirect and direct PGPM properties used in an inoculation assay on yerba mate plants in greenhouse conditions. A highly significant positive effect of bio-inoculation with these Trichoderma strains was observed in one-year-old yerba mate seedlings. Inoculated plants exhibited a greater height, chlorophyll content, and dry weight than un-inoculated plants; those treated with LBM193 manifested the best results. Yerba mate plants treated with LBM202 exhibited a healthy appearance and were more vigorous, showing potential for biocontrol agent. In conclusion, yerba mate seedlings in the Misiones region were found to have a reservoir of Trichoderma species that increases the yield of this crop in the nursery and protects them from adverse biotic and abiotic agents.

Promotion of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Growth by Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms

Brazil is an important peanut producer, but despite its high production, there still needs to be an inoculant for the peanut crop. In addition, the use of microorganisms that promote plant growth (PGPM) is not common, and this crop is highly dependent on chemical fertilizers. An excellent alternative to reduce the use of fertilizers and chemical inputs in peanut crops while reducing the production cost and environmental impact is the use of PGPM. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Azospirillum brasilense, Bacillus subtilis, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, and Trichoderma harzianum as single inoculants and co-inoculants on the growth promotion and productivity of peanuts in greenhouse and field conditions. In the greenhouse, the experiment was conducted with 12 treatments with six repetitions. In the field conditions, the experiment was conducted with five treatments with four repetitions. Both experiments were conducted in randomized blocks. In general, all the microorganisms evaluated in the present study promoted increases in root dry mass, shoot dry mass, phosphorus concentrations, and plant height in the greenhouse and under field conditions compared with the control. Interestingly, the mixtures of microorganisms inoculated in peanut plants did not promote greater plant growth and development compared with inoculations of the microorganisms separately. Specifically, in the field, the highest productivity was found for the inoculation of B. japonicum alone. The PGPM evaluated in the present study for peanut crops generally promoted some increases in productivity in greenhouse and field conditions.

How Epiphytic Are Filmy Ferns? A Semi-Quantitative Approach

Similar to plants in many other families, members of the Hymenophyllaceae use numerous substrates for growth, e.g., soil, rocks or tree bark. However, substrate preference does not only differ among species but can also vary among members of the same species. There have been several attempts in the past to appropriately capture this variation, but none proved feasible or was replicated in any subsequent work. In our approach, we use textual information from numerous sources like checklists, floras and species descriptions to come up with a quantitative index of the preference of 450 species of filmy ferns (=c. 75% of all species of the family) for epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial growth. We show that the majority of species have clear habitat preferences, while strict habitat specificity is rather uncommon. Our compilation will be an important input for future ecological and phylogenetic studies in this family, but the presented approach is of much more general interest: it is immediately applicable to other taxonomic groups and should eventually allow us to replace the current approach of assigning species to distinct categories (epiphyte, lithophyte or terrestrial) by one that finally reflects biological variability more appropriately.

"Ectomosphere": Insects and Microorganism Interactions

This study focuses on interacting with insects and their ectosymbiont (lato sensu) microorganisms for environmentally safe plant production and protection. Some cases help compare ectosymbiont microorganisms that are insect-borne, -driven, or -spread relevant to endosymbionts' behaviour. Ectosymbiotic bacteria can interact with insects by allowing them to improve the value of their pabula. In addition, some bacteria are essential for creating ecological niches that can host the development of pests. Insect-borne plant pathogens include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These pathogens interact with their vectors to enhance reciprocal fitness. Knowing vector-phoront interaction could considerably increase chances for outbreak management, notably when sustained by quarantine vector ectosymbiont pathogens, such as the actual Xylella fastidiosa Mediterranean invasion episode. Insect pathogenic viruses have a close evolutionary relationship with their hosts, also being highly specific and obligate parasites. Sixteen virus families have been reported to infect insects and may be involved in the biological control of specific pests, including some economic weevils. Insects and fungi are among the most widespread organisms in nature and interact with each other, establishing symbiotic relationships ranging from mutualism to antagonism. The associations can influence the extent to which interacting organisms can exert their effects on plants and the proper management practices. Sustainable pest management also relies on entomopathogenic fungi; research on these species starts from their isolation from insect carcasses, followed by identification using conventional light or electron microscopy techniques. Thanks to the development of omics sciences, it is possible to identify entomopathogenic fungi with evolutionary histories that are less-shared with the target insect and can be proposed as pest antagonists. Many interesting omics can help detect the presence of entomopathogens in different natural matrices, such as soil or plants. The same techniques will help localize ectosymbionts, localization of recesses, or specialized morphological adaptation, greatly supporting the robust interpretation of the symbiont role. The manipulation and modulation of ectosymbionts could be a more promising way to counteract pests and borne pathogens, mitigating the impact of formulates and reducing food insecurity due to the lesser impact of direct damage and diseases. The promise has a preventive intent for more manageable and broader implications for pests, comparing what we can obtain using simpler, less-specific techniques and a less comprehensive approach to Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Cardanol-based adhesive with reduced formaldehyde emission to produce particleboards with waste from bean crops

Free formaldehyde is a carcinogen whose emission reduction in particleboard has been studied recently to mitigate this environmental and human health problem. One alternative to reduce the emission of formaldehyde in particleboards is by using adhesives produced from natural sources. Cardanol-formaldehyde is an environmentally friendly adhesive made with cashew nut liquid, a byproduct from the cashew chain. This work aimed to produce particleboard using cardanol-formaldehyde in place of urea. In addition, different proportions of bean straw wastes were used to replace pine wood. The combination of eco-friendly adhesive and lignocellulosic waste particles could result in a product that meets market demands while being environmentally nonaggressive. Cardanol-formaldehyde promoted a higher modulus of elasticity (MOE) (1172 MPa) and modulus of rupture (MOR) (4.39 MPa) about panels glued with urea-formaldehyde, which presented a MOE of 764 MPa and MOR of 2.45 MPa. Furthermore, the cardanol-formaldehyde adhesive promoted a 93% reduction in formaldehyde emission, with a reduction from 16.76 to 1.09 mg/100 g oven-dry board for particleboards produced with cardanol-formaldehyde, indicating potential as an adhesive in the particleboard industry.

Trajetorias: a dataset of environmental, epidemiological, and economic indicators for the Brazilian Amazon

The Trajetorias dataset is a harmonized set of environmental, epidemiological, and poverty indicators for all municipalities of the Brazilian Legal Amazon (BLA). This dataset is the result of a scientific synthesis research initiative conducted by scientists from several natural and social sciences fields, consolidating multidisciplinary indicators into a coherent dataset for integrated and interdisciplinary studies of the Brazilian Amazon. The dataset allows the investigation of the association between the Amazonian agrarian systems and their impacts on environmental and epidemiological changes, furthermore enhancing the possibilities for understanding, in a more integrated and consistent way, the scenarios that affect the Amazonian biome and its inhabitants.

The Facet of Human Impact: Solenopsis invicta Buren, 1972 Spreading around the Atlantic Forest

The present investigation deals with some aspects of the diversity of fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in their native range. The Red Imported Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta is native to the tropical and subtropical inland territories of South America. In Brazil, it mainly occurs around the Pantanal region and across the Paraguay river, a region composed of grasslands which are seasonally flooded. Recent studies have evidenced this fire ant species is gradually spreading to other regions of Brazil. In the present investigation, we surveyed the molecular diversity of S. invicta populations across fragments of Atlantic Forest in São Paulo, Brazil, using mtDNA COI haplotypes. Fire ant nests were sampled along the highways lining the northern and southern slope sides of the mountain range Serra do Mar, SP, Brazil. Four haplotypes were identified (H1–H4), which were assessed for similarity to deposited records by other authors, revealing that the haplotypes H1 and H2 are likely of foreign origin through recent reintroduction via a marine port to the south of the Serra do Mar mountain range. On the other hand, the haplotypes H3 and H4, predominating among the inland samples from the northern side of the mountain range, were most similar to previous records from more central regions of Brazil. Haplotypes clustered into distinct supergroups, further pointing to the occurrence of two separate expansion waves of S. invicta in the region. We suggest the obtained pattern indicates the mountain range may function as a geographical barrier deferring gene flow.

Spatial distribution, ecological indices and interactions of arthropods on Sapindus saponaria (Sapindaceae) plants

Sapindus saponaria L. (Sapindaceae) is a pioneer species used in programs to recover degraded areas. The trees also assist in the pest control of some insects due to the composition of saponins on their leaves. In addition, these chemical components are important to pharmaceutical product production. The objective was to evaluate the impact of spatial distribution, indices and ecological relationship of arthropods on S. saponaria leaves to preserve the balance of biodiversity. Aggregated distribution of arthropods was observed; the numbers of phytophagous arthropods were higher on the adaxial leaf face than on the abaxial part. Only Aleyrodidae (Hemiptera) had a higher presence on the abaxial leaf face of S. saponaria saplings. Abundance, diversity, and species richness of natural enemies correlated positively with phytophagous and pollinators insects. On the other hand, the number of Lyriomyza sp. mines correlated negatively with Pseudomyrmex termitarius (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). All this information can assist and guide integrated pest management programs.

Plants from a semi-arid environment as a source of phytochemicals against Fusarium crown and foot rot in zucchini

Fusarium crown and foot rot, caused by F. solani f. sp. cucurbitae, are major fungal diseases affecting zucchini and other cucurbits. Despite the efficacy of synthetic fungicides, their health and environmental hazards have highlighted the urgent need for safer alternatives, such as phytochemical-based biocides. Owing to the upregulation of the plant secondary metabolism under stressful conditions, bioprospecting in harsh environments could reveal ore plants for bioactive metabolites. In this study, thirteen wild plants were collected from their natural habitat in a semiarid environment (Yanbu, Saudi Arabia) and extracted to obtain phenolics rich extracts. Total polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidant capacities and the antifungal activities of the extracts against a pathogenic isolate of F. solani were assessed. Fusarium solani was isolated from infected zucchini and characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Hierarchical clustering analysis of the phytochemical screening and in vitro bioactivity revealed that Rosmarinus officinalis, Pulicaria crispa, Achillea falcata and Haloxylon salicornicum were the richest in polyphenols and the most powerful against F. solani. Further, the extracts of these four plants significantly decreased the disease incidence in zucchini, where P. crispa was the premier. Interestingly, results of transmission electron microscopy revealed that extract of P. crispa, as a representative of the powerful group, induced ultrastructural disorders in fungal cells. Therefore, this study suggests the use of R. officinalis, P. crispa, A. falcata and H. salicornicum grown in semi-arid environments as ore plants to develop phytochemical-based biocides against Fusarium crown and foot rot.

Accumulation and decomposition of cultural residues of Theobroma grandiflorum, Paullinia cupana, Bixa orellana and forest in the southern region of Amazonas

The litter deposited on the soil surface at various stages of decomposition is important for primary productivity that impacts the microbial communities and soil carbon storage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accumulation and decomposition of cultural residues of Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex. Spreng) Schum, Paullinia cupana (Mart.) Ducke, Bixa orellana L., and forest in the Amazon region. The study was carried out in the São Francisco settlement, Canutama in the south of Amazonas, in a randomized block experimental design, and the treatments consisted of four areas with different crops: 1 - P. cupana; 2 - T. grandiflorum; 3 - B. orellana; 4 - Native woodland area (forest), in time subdivided plots: 7, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, and 330 days after the distribution of the bags in the field, all with four repetitions. To evaluate the contribution and fractions of litter, conical collectors were used in each area, and collections were performed monthly in the period from March 2020 to February 2021. The estimate of the decomposition rate of the litter was done by quantifying the loss of mass, using litter bags, which allow for a direct analysis of the rate of decay over time. The forest and P. cupana environments presented the highest litter production, and greater deposition when compared to environments cultivated with T. grandiflorum and B. orellana. The forest and B. orellana areas showed the highest speed of decomposition, while the opposite situation occurred under T. grandiflorum and P. cupana cultivation.

From the dual cyclone harvest performance of single conidium powder to the effect of Metarhizium anisopliae on the management of Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae)

Insect pests introduced in eucalyptus plantations in Brazil are mostly of Australian origin, but native microorganisms have potential for their management. High quality biopesticide production based on entomopathogenic fungi depends on adequate technologies. The objective of this study was to evaluate Mycoharvester® equipment to harvest and separating particles to obtain pure Metarhizium anisopliae conidia to manage Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé, 2006 (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae). The Mycoharvester® version 5b harvested and separated M. anisopliae spores. The pure conidia were suspended in Tween 80® (0.1%) and calibrated to the concentrations of 1 x 106, 107, 108 and 109 conidia/ml to evaluate the pathogenicity, lethal concentration 50 and 90 (LC50, LC90) and lethal time 50 and 90 (LT50, LT90) of this fungus to T. peregrinus. This equipment harvested 85% of the conidia from rice, with production of 4.8 ± 0.38 x 109 conidia/g dry mass of substrate + fungus. The water content of 6.36% of the single spore powder (pure conidia) separated by the Mycoharvester® was lower than that of the agglomerated product. The product harvested at the concentrations of 108 and 109 conidia/ml caused high mortality to T. peregrinus third instar nymphs and adults. The separation of conidia produced by solid-state fermentation with the Mycoharvester® is an important step toward optimizing the fungal production system of pure conidia, and to formulate biopesticides for insect pest management.

Ectoparasitic flies of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in urban green areas of northeastern Brazil

In urban and degraded areas, ectoparasite abundance can be affected by increasing human population density and habitat fragmentation. This study aimed to characterize the ectoparasitic fly community associated with bats in the urban green areas of Sergipe, Brazil. Campaigns were conducted monthly, for two consecutive nights, between September 2019 and February 2021. To capture the bats, ten mist nets were set up inside and at the edge of the habitat fragments. All ectoparasites found were removed from the bats and stored in 70% alcohol. The specificity index, parasitological rates, and level of parasite aggregation were calculated, and the influence of host sex and seasonality on parasitological rates were verified for the most parasitized bats. The collected ectoparasites corresponded to the families Nycteribiidae (S = 1; n = 26) and Streblidae (S = 13; n = 849), with Trichobius costalimai and Medistopoda aranea being the most abundant species. For some interactions, there was an influence of host sex on the prevalence rates, with the highest number of parasites being found on females, which can be explained by their greater susceptibility to parasitism owing to their long stay in roosts. The seasonality influenced the parasitological rates, and opposing patterns (from what was expected) were observed for some interactions; this influence may be due to the biological differences between parasite species. This study provides relevant data on this interaction, especially for urban areas in northeastern Brazil, expanding the number of studies in the State of Sergipe and promoting future studies.

Tissue healing changes on wounds in rats after treatment with Hancornia speciosa latex in cream-gel formulation

PURPOSE

Hancornia speciosa latex has shown pharmacological potential in wound healing processes due to its angiogenic, osteogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities. The aims of this study were to carry out a cream-gel formulation with 5, 10 and 25% of H. speciosa serum latex and to evaluate its potential to stimulate the skin regeneration in rats' wounds.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty rats were divided into five groups: neutral control with saline (G1), cream-gel based on H. speciosa latex serum at 5% m/v (G2), cream-gel at 15% m/v (G3), cream-gel at 25% m/v (G4), and cream-gel (G5). The animals were euthanized at three, seven, 14 and 21 days after the injury induction, and some parameters were analyzed: wound contraction, necrosis, fibrin, polymorphonuclear and mononuclear infiltrates, fibroblast, angiogenesis, hemorrhage, and collagen.

RESULTS

The therapeutic treatment with cream-gel at 15 and 25% is beneficial in the inflammatory phase of healing processes since it increased the angiogenesis and proliferation of mononuclear infiltrations in wounds. Regarding wound contraction, the treatment with cream-gel (5 and 15%) induced a higher rate of contraction in the proliferative phase. The 15% cream-gel formulation stimulated a greater production of collagen in the injured tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

H. speciosa cream-gel is a low-cost herbal medicine which can aid in tissue repair.

Alumina as an Antifungal Agent for Pinus elliottii Wood

This work deals with the durability of a Pinus elliotti wood impregnated with alumina (Al₂O₃) particles. The samples were impregnated at three different Al₂O₃ weight fractions (c.a. 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5%) and were then exposed to two wood-rot fungi, namely white-rot fungus (Trametes versicolor) and brown-rot fungus (Gloeophyllum trabeum). Thermal and chemical characteristics were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses. The wood which incorporated 0.3 wt% of Al₂O₃ presented a weight loss 91.5% smaller than the untreated wood after being exposed to the white-rot fungus. On the other hand, the highest effectiveness against the brown-rot fungus was reached by the wood treated with 5 wt% of Al₂O₃, which presented a mass loss 91.6% smaller than that of the untreated pine wood. The Al₂O₃-treated woods presented higher antifungal resistances than the untreated ones in a way that: the higher the Al₂O₃ content, the higher the thermal stability. In general, the impregnation of the Al₂O₃ particles seems to be a promising treatment for wood protection against both studied wood-rot fungi. Additionally, both FT-IR and TG results were valuable tools to ascertain chemical changes ascribed to fungal decay.

Habitat loss estimation for assessing terrestrial mammalian species extinction risk: an open data framework

Terrestrial mammals face a severe crisis of habitat loss worldwide. Therefore, assessing information on habitat loss throughout different time periods is crucial for assessing species' conservation statuses based on the IUCN Red List system. To support the national extinction risk assessment in Brazil (2016-2022), we developed a script that uses the MapBiomas Project 6.0 data source of land cover and land use (annual maps at 30 m scale) within the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to calculate habitat loss. We defined suitable habitats from the MapBiomas Project land cover classification for 190 mammalian taxa, according to each species range map and ecological characteristics. We considered a period of three generation lengths to assess habitat loss in accordance with the Red List assessment criteria. We used the script to estimate changes in available habitat throughout the analyzed period within the species' known ranges. The results indicated that habitat loss occurred within 94.3% of the analyzed taxa range, with the Carnivora order suffering the greatest habitat loss, followed by the Cingulata order. These analyses may be decisive for applying criteria, defining categories during the assessment of at least 17 species (9%), enriching discussions, and raising new questions for several other species. We considered the outcome of estimating habitat loss for various taxa when applying criterion A, which refers to population reduction, thus supporting more accurate inferences about past population declines.

Mesoporous Activated Carbon from Bamboo Waste via Microwave-Assisted K2CO3 Activation: Adsorption Optimization and Mechanism for Methylene Blue Dye

Bamboo waste (BW) was activated with a K2CO3 precursor in a microwave process for the adsorption of MB dye from an aqueous solution. The prepared bamboo-waste-activated carbon (BWAC) was analyzed by instrumental techniques such as FTIR, SEM, and BET analysis. The surface of the BWAC was mesoporous with a surface area of 107.148 m2/g. The MB dye removal was optimized with the three variables of adsorbent dose, pH, and contact time using the Box–Behnken design (BBD) model. Up to 87% of MB was removed in the optimized conditions of adsorbent dose of 0.08 g/100 mL, pH of 7.62, time of 8 min, and concentration of 50 mg/L. Here, the most effective parameter for MB removal was found to be adsorbent dose with an F-value of 121.70, while time and pH showed a smaller effect. The maximum adsorption capacity of BWAC in the optimized conditions was found to be 85.6 mg/g. The adsorption of MB on BWAC’s surface was through chemisorption and a spontaneous process. The adsorption mechanism study showed that three types of interactions are responsible for the removal of MB dye from aqueous solutions by BWAC, i.e., electrostatic interactions, H-bonding, and pi–pi interactions. Hence, BWAC can be considered a highly efficient adsorbent for MB removal from wastewater.

Relationships between soil properties and species establishment in the restoration of mined soils in the Cerrado biome

Restoring the ecosystems of the Cerrado biome is challenging considering the diversity of phytophysiognomies present in the biome, some of which are composed of species from different strata (herbaceous, shrubby, and arboreal), which increases the complexity of restructuring the floristic composition. Other factors was involved, such as soil quality, which directly influences the success of restoration, water storage, and nutrients, the financial costs, and a slow ecological process, due to the adverse circumstances found in the area. be restored. The strong anthropogenic interventions by mining processes reduce dramatically the physical and nutritional composition of the soil. We studied two restoration areas in Paracatu, Brazil, to examine their edaphic conditions six years after mining activities ceased and relate them to the status of the restoration process. In 2009, a Cerrado restoration were established in an area previously explored for gravel extraction. Plants were sampled and identified in 11 transects along the planting lines. The diameter base (DB) and total height (HT) were measured. The physical/chemical quality of the soil substrate was determined using a collection of samples in open trenches at four types of points: Cerrado (TC); dead plant pits (TM); seedling pits having living individuals of the most abundant species (TT); and those of the second-most abundant species (TE). Cecropia pachystachya Trécul and Tapirira guianensis Aubl. were most abundant and demonstrated the potential to thrive in areas degraded by mining having low mortality rates and growth at relatively DB and HT. The physical quality indicators in the gravel pits were not limiting, indicating that substrate preparation was efficient in this regard. The organic matter content in TM, TT, and TE was low in comparison to that of TC, and the chemical conditions in the TE pit substrates were similar to those in TM pits, suggesting C. pachystachya is a species with good plasticity, whereas T. guianensis is present in pits with higher levels of phosphorus.

Production of forest seedlings using sewage sludge and automated irrigation with ozonated cattle wastewater

The large volume of effluents generated by intensive cattle production can become an environmental problem, requiring solutions that combine treatment and disposal of reuse water. The quality of cattle wastewater (CWW) treated by ozonation, the water requirement and its effect on the growth of seedlings of Dalbergia nigra cultivated with sewage sludge were determined under different light conditions. The study was carried out in a split plot scheme with 2 shading levels (0%—C₁, and 49.4% attenuation—C₂) and 3 types of irrigation water (control–T₁, 1 h ozonation–T₂, and 2 h–T₃), with 4 repetitions. Direct sowing was realized into 280 cm³ tubes which were irrigated by drip irrigation with automatic management. The height and collar diameter were measured every 21 days, and at the end of the nursery phase, and the Dickson quality index (DQI) and irrigation water productivity (WPir) were determined. In addition, seedlings were transplanted in a forest restauration area (FRA) of Atlantic Forest, with height and diameter monitoring for 200 days. With ozonation, there was an increase in pH and a reduction in electrical conductivity, total solids and turbidity in the CWW, allowing its use for irrigation of forest seedlings. The maximum volumes of water applied were 2.096 and 1.921 L plant^-1, with water supply T₂ and T₁, respectively, and coverages C₁ and C₂. In these conditions, the seedlings reached DQI of 0.47 and 0.17, and WPir of 2.35 and 1.48 g L^-1, respectively. The initial vegetative growth of the seedlings planted in the FRA was benefited by the nutrients provided by the CWW treated. Therefore, the use of sewage sludge and CWW treated has the potential to produce forest seedlings, reducing the release of waste and effluents into the environment.

Future spatial modeling of vegetation in the Central Atlantic Forest Corridor, Brazil

Tropical forests stand out among forest domains, due to their wide diversity of flora and fauna. However, these areas concentrate a large number of the forest fires that occur annually on the planet. In this context, the present study performs spatial modeling of the normalized multi-band drought index (NMDI) in the Central Atlantic Forest Corridor during past (2001-2020) and future (2021-2040) periods to identify the relationship between drought and forest fires. Fire foci data, soil moisture, and data from the MOD09A1 product were used to obtain the NMDI. Rainfall and mean air temperature data from the past and for different future scenarios (SSP126 and SSP585) were also used. The autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) was used for modeling the NMDI. The results found indicate a recurrence of fire in the CAFC during the period of 2001–2020. Future data indicate reductions in rainfall and an increase in temperature in the CAFC area. The NMDI data indicate that the central region of the corridor is the driest and, among the priority areas for conservation, the Ilha do Lameirão Municipal ecological station has the lowest index values. Future modeling indicates the drought intensifying in the coming years in the corridor area. The CAFC is an extremely important area for the maintenance of Atlantic Forest remnants; however, this area continues to suffer disturbances and without the adoption of public policies, these disturbances could compromise the conservation of natural resources.

A CABINE DOS Can the tractor's cabin allow the noise at the operator's station?PODE ATENUAR O RUÍDO NO POSTO DO OPERADOR?

Constant exposure to high noise levels can cause health problems for agricultural machinery operators. Machines equipped with closed cabs can attenuate noise and preserve the operator from an unhealthy condition. Some studies show that in cabin tractors it is possible to renounce the use of hearing protection, however indoor equipment and air conditioning can reach high levels of noise, which need to be further investigated. The present study aimed to evaluate the noise emitted by a cabined agricultural tractor, in different points, inside and outside cabin, in the engine rotations of 800rpm, 2180rpm and 2500rpm. In each reading, 100 noise intensity values were automatically collected, over two minutes with the aid of a digital decibel meter device. The results were compared with the levels assumed by Annex 1 of the regulatory Brazilian standard NR 15, and it was found that the cabin was able to isolate the noise emitted by the engine and its external components in 15%, however, the internal noise reached 81dB(A). The cabin can attenuate external noise and offer a healthy working environment, however, in long working hours it is recommended to use personal protective equipment such as ear protectors.

Tree Species and Morphology of Holes Caused by Black-Tufted Marmosets to Obtain Exudates: Some Implications for the Exudativory

Knowledge of the pattern of exploitation of trees can help us understand the relationship between marmosets and plants, especially in declining forests, such as those in the Brazilian Cerrado. Black-tufted marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) regularly exploit exudates by gouging the bark of trees with their specialized teeth. Determining preferred tree species to exploit exudates is important for forest management aimed at maintaining an essential food source for urban marmosets. We characterized the tree species, dendrometry, and the characteristics of the holes made by marmosets to obtain exudates. Based on these data, we proposed a gouging effort index (Chiseling Suitability Index for Marmosets, ChiSI). We identified 16 species belonging to 10 families of trees with gouging marks made by marmosets. Eleven new tree species used by black-tufted marmosets for exudates were identified in urban forests in the Cerrado. Exudate exploration was predominantly of medium intensity, with round holes concentrated in the canopy. The species Tapirira guianensis and Croton urucarana were preferred. The ChiSI was characterized by a narrow range for both T. guianensis and C. urucarana. Despite the flexibility of obtaining exudates, the black-tufted marmosets concentrate their exploitation to only a few tree species. The T. guianensis and C. urucarana tree species should be considered the most important species for management plans and the preservation of black-tufted marmosets that live in urban forests in the Cerrado.

Patterns of genetic diversity and structure of a threatened palm species (Euterpe edulis Arecaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

The detection of distribution patterns of genetic diversity of plant and animal species has contributed to the understanding of biodiversity and evolutionary history of the Atlantic Forest. We used microsatellite markers to access the genetic diversity and structure of 26 populations and 527 adult individuals of Euterpe edulis, a native palm which is an important food resource for fauna and is intensively exploited due to economic reasons. We found high genetic diversity and inbreeding in all populations analyzed. We report highest rates of inbreeding for this species, which could reflect the anthropic impacts of selective cutting, fragmentation, and change in foraging behavior from pollinators and less availability and mobility of large dispersers. We detected by STRUCTURE, two genetic groups, Northern and Southern, which divide the Brazilian Atlantic Forest geographically. These groups have low genetic admixtures, but we found a region of lineage hybridization in the contact zone with low recent gene flow. Distribution pattern of this species corroborates results from previous studies reporting the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) have shaped the structuring of the species through movements of forests' expansion and contraction. The STRUCTURE analysis of each group revealed the presence of genetic subgroups with low rates of recurrent gene flow. Southern subgroups have higher rates of admixtures than the Northern subgroups, revealing greater historical connectivity of forests in this region.

Temporary immersion systems (TISs): A comprehensive review

The temporary immersion systems (TISs) have been widely used in plant biotechnology. TISs have different advantages from the point of micropropagation and production of secondary metabolites over other continuous liquid-phase bioreactors. The current work presents the structure, operation mode, configuration type, and micropropagation or secondary metabolite production in TISs. This review deals with the advantages and disadvantages of TISs and the factors affecting their performance. Future research could focus on new designs based on CFD simulation, facilitating sterilization, and combining TISs with other bioreactors (e.g., mist bioreactors) to make a hybrid bioreactor.

Properties of Statistical Depth with Respect to Compact Convex Random Sets: The Tukey Depth

We study a statistical data depth with respect to compact convex random sets, which is consistent with the multivariate Tukey depth and the Tukey depth for fuzzy sets. In addition, it provides a different perspective to the existing halfspace depth with respect to compact convex random sets. In studying this depth function, we provide a series of properties for the statistical data depth with respect to compact convex random sets. These properties are an adaptation of properties that constitute the axiomatic notions of multivariate, functional, and fuzzy depth-functions and other well-known properties of depth.

Piling Secondary Subtropical Forest Residue: Long-Term Impacts on Soil, Trees, and Weeds

The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of piling secondary forest residue (after 3 decades) on soil chemical properties, growth, and nutrition of Pinus taeda and weeds at three locations. After secondary forest removal and residue piling, areas were cultivated with P. taeda (22 years), followed by eucalyptus (7 years), and returned to P. taeda. At 2 years of age, tree height and needle-nutrient levels of ongoing P. taeda from areas influenced by residue piling and areas outside the piling zone were evaluated. Biomass and nutrient levels of herbaceous and shrub weeds, NDVI indices (via a drone), and soil chemistry were also evaluated. Residue-piled areas displayed a decrease in soil pH and an increase in available soil P and K. Although herbaceous and shrub-weed biomass increased 2.5 to 10 times in residue-piling areas, this did not compromise pine growth. While residue piling had little impact on the nutritional status of pine and weeds, NDVI values indicated greater plant growth in piling areas. In general, the long-term effect of residue piling was an important factor associated with the large variation in tree growth and weed incidence after 3 decades.

Estimating the Optimal Threshold for Accuracy Assessment of the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) Data in a Gentle Relief Urban Area

LiDAR is an excellent source of elevation data used in many surveys. The spaceborne handle system, Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI), provides ground elevation information with high accuracy except for areas with steep slopes. GEDI data have a lot of noise from atmospheric conditions, and therefore filtering procedures are mandatory to select the best dataset. The dataset presents uncertainties of different magnitudes, with values reaching more than 100 m of difference between the reference data and the GEDI data. The challenge is to find a criterion to determine a threshold to filter accurate GEDI samples. This research aims to identify the threshold based on the difference values between the reference data and the GEDI data to select the maximum number of samples with low RMSE values. Therefore, we used the Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) non-parametric test to define the best threshold based on a normal distribution. Our results demonstrated a lower RMSE value with a high number of samples when compared with the quality flag parameter threshold, even using sensitivity parameter thresholds. This method is useful for achieving the best possible accuracy from GEDI data worldwide.