Characterization saprobic fungi on leaf litter of two species of trees in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil

Abstract We investigated the composition and structure of fungal communities associated with leaf litter generated by Clusia nemorosa and Vismia guianensis that belong to phylogenetically-related botanical families and exist together in a remnant of the Atlantic Forest in Bahia, Brazil. Samplings were conducted during wet (June 2011) and dry (January 2013) seasons in Serra da Jibóia. The fungi were isolated using particle filtration and the 1,832 isolates represented 92 taxa. The wet season yielded the largest number of isolates (1,141) and taxa (76) compared with the dry season (641 isolates and 37 taxa). The richness and diversity of fungal species associated with C. nemorosa (64 taxa, Simpson=0.95)were higher compared with those of V.guianensis (59 taxa, Simpson =0.90). Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) revealed significant variations in the composition and community structure of fungi isolated from the two plants as a function of seasons. In contrast, nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis show that the seasonality was an important influence on the distribution of fungal species. However, the populations of the saprobic fungal communities were dynamic, and several factors may influence such communities in the Atlantic Forest.

Mapping and evaluation of the state of conservation of the vegetation in and surrounding the Chapada Diamantina National Park, NE Brazil / Mapeamento e avaliação do estado de conservação da vegetação dentro e em torno do Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina, Nordeste do Brasil

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.