RESUMO
The Caatinga, an exclusively Brazilian biome, stands as a reservoir of remarkable biodiversity. Its significance transcends ecological dimensions, given the direct reliance of the local population on its resources for sustenance and healthcare. While Myrtaceae, a pivotal botanical family within the Brazilian flora, has been extensively explored for its medicinal and nutritional attributes, scant attention has been directed towards its contextual relevance within the Caatinga's local communities. Consequently, this inaugural systematic review addresses the ethnobotanical roles of Myrtaceae within the Caatinga, meticulously anchored in the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. We searched Scopus, MEDLINE/Pubmed, Scielo, and LILIACS. No date-range filter was applied. An initial pool of 203 articles was carefully scrutinized, ultimately yielding 31 pertinent ethnobotanical studies elucidating the utility of Myrtaceae amongst the Caatinga's indigenous populations. Collectively, they revealed seven distinct utilization categories spanning ~54 species and 11 genera. Psidium and Eugenia were the genera with the most applications. The most cited categories of use were food (27 species) and medicinal (22 species). The importance of accurate species identification was highlighted, as many studies did not provide enough information for reliable identification. Additionally, the potential contribution of Myrtaceae fruits to food security and human health was explored. The diversity of uses demonstrates how this family is a valuable resource for local communities, providing sources of food, medicine, energy, and construction materials. This systematic review also highlights the need for more ethnobotanical studies to understand fully the relevance of Myrtaceae species in the Caatinga, promoting biodiversity conservation, as well as support for local populations.
RESUMO
ABSTRACT Asphondylia hancorniae, sp. n. (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) is described and illustrated. This species was collected in Atlantic Forest and Caatinga domains in Bahia State (Northeastern Brazil). It induces galls on fruits of Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Apocynaceae), a plant native to Brazil. Asphondylia hancorniae is compared to other congeneric species which induce galls on Apocynaceae.
RESUMO
The Chapada Diamantina National Park (CDNP) was created in the midst of a densely populated area, and significant sections of the reserve are still undergoing processes of natural regeneration after intensive diamond mining activities were initiated in the mid-1800's. An up-to-date vegetation map was needed in order to indicate the types and distribution of regional vegetation assemblages in an easily interpretable manner and at an appropriate planning scale that could be easily consulted by decision makers and other interested groups at all levels of conservation (and development) planning. A vegetation map of the Chapada Diamantina National Park, and the areas immediately surrounding it, was prepared that: 1) delimits, describes, and maps the regional vegetation assemblages; 2) provides an indication of the degree of conservation of the mapped vegetation; 3) develops this information in a format that facilitates continued updating and revision as more information becomes available, enabling the monitoring of the evolution of the Park lands, and; 4) presents this information in a manner that can be easily interpreted and used for planning, management and conservation purposes. The resulting vegetation map revealed intensive anthropogenic disturbances in forested, savanna, and semi-arid areas subjected to intensive agricultural use outside of the Park boundaries. The National Park lands are generally well preserved but burning has replaced formerly extensive forest areas with open sedge meadows. In spite of intensive modification of the regional vegetation, two well preserved areas with high priority for conservation efforts beyond the National Park limits were identified and characterized. The vegetation mapping of the park itself can aid in the preparation of its management plan and in the reformulation of the existing boundaries of that reserve.
O Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina foi criado numa região densamente ocupada e grandes áreas dentro desta reserva ainda estão em vias de recuperação natural em decorrência da mineração de diamantes que começou em 1844. Um mapa atualizado da vegetação regional elaborado de maneira que facilite sua interpretação é imprescindível para orientar administradores e outros grupos interessados na preservação e desenvolvimento da região. Um mapa da vegetação do Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina e as áreas no seu entorno foi preparado: 1) delimitando e descrevendo os vários tipos de vegetação regional; 2) fornecendo indicações do grau de conservação da vegetação; 3) apresentando estas informações num formato que facilite sua revisão e atualização; e 4) apresentando estas informações de maneira fácil de interpretar, podendo ser usadas para fins de planejamento, manejo e conservação. O mapa demonstrou perturbações de origem antrópica nas áreas de floresta, cerrado e caatinga adjacentes ao Parque Nacional. As terras dentro da reserva são, em geral, bem preservadas, demonstrando reduzidas alterações antrópicas diretas, embora freqüentes incêndios tenham transformado extensivas áreas de floresta em campos abertos. Apesar das modificações da vegetação regional, existem duas áreas relativamente bem preservadas fora dos limites do Parque Nacional que possuem alta prioridade para ações conservacionistas. O mapa da vegetação apresentado pode auxiliar na elaboração do Plano de Manejo da reserva e na reformulação futura dos seus limites.