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Fossil fuels are being replaced by clean energy sources. Lignocellulosic biomass is considered an eco-friendly alternative, as it is a renewable raw material with high energy potential. In this context, the aim of this study was to determine the biomass energy properties of three bamboo species and mate. Thus, three species of bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris Var. Vittata, Dendrocalamus asper and Phyllostachys aurea) and Ilex paraguariensis co-products (branches and sticks) were performed. The particle size, basic density, moisture content volatiles content, ashes content, fix carbon, gross and net calorific value and energy density of these biomasses were evaluated. The biomasses analyzed here were considered suitable for energy purposes, in general, these presented volatile content between 75 and 85 %, fixed carbon content between 15 and 25% and ash content close to 1%. Average fix carbon content of all analyzed biomass was 16.13%. Ash content of Phyllostachys aurea, branches of Ilex paraguariensis and Dendrocalamus asper presented lower values, average of 1.63%. Bambusa vulgaris and Ilex paraguariensis sticks presented higher values, average of 2.65%. Phyllostachys aurea presented gross calorific value higher than, average of 19.35 MJ kg− 1. Bambusa vulgaris, Dendrocalamus asper, Ilex paraguariensis branches and sticks presented statistically equal values. Bambusa vulgaris, Dendrocalamus asper, Phyllostachys aurea showed net calorific value higher to the other analyzed materials and did not present statistical difference. Basic energy density of Phyllostachys aurea was higher to bamboo species. Ilex paraguariensis showed the lowest values with no statistical difference for branches and sticks. Article highlights Knowledge of biomass properties enables the use of residues in bioenergy production as an eco-friendly alternative. Bamboo and Mate co-products have desirable characteristics and potential to produce bioenergy. The energetic performance of bamboo biomass was superior when compared to the branches and sticks of Ilex paraguariensis.

Bamboo is a versatile, rapidly growing renewable raw material with high productivity, low handling cost, high ability to sequester atmospheric carbon and potential for energy purposes. The paper aimed to describe the potential of bamboo for energy purposes through different product alternatives. A specific literature review was carried out to tabulate data related to different energy alternatives for bamboo, considering the following questions: (i) which are the alternative bamboo products with energy potential? (ii) what are the parameters traditionally described in scientific articles? The average value of 4,396, 6,994, 4,597 and 4,530 kcal.kg-1, was found in the Gross Calorific Value (GCV) of biomass, charcoal, briquette and pellets of different bamboo species, values similar to those found for Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla hybrid wood. The data prove the potential of bamboo as a source of energy and may even replace tree species traditionally used.

SUMMARYPrevious studies have shown that adaptation to drought in Brazilian Caatinga trees may involve different physiological and morphological strategies. Particular climatic and soil characteristics occur along this dry ecosystem leading to non-homogeneous water availability. Therefore, in certain niches, some species predominate over others, indicating that best performance of a species is not widespread. We studied changes in initial growth, which is the most critical factor during the life of a plant, of two common species of Caatinga (Erythrina velutina Willd. and Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong) with variable occurrence through the ecosystem. Young plants were subjected to three water regimes: 450 (control), 225 (moderate stress) and 112.5 mm (severe stress) of water spread over 40 days, which represent years with heavy, moderate and scarce rainfall, respectively. Analyses were performed at 20 and 40 days after the initiation of treatments. When compared to the control group, treatments with water restriction reduced the growth of shoots and roots, the number of leaves and leaflets, the total biomass and the leaf area more in E. velutina than in E. contortisiliquum. Taking into account the adaptation of both species in Caatinga, we present evidence of different drought tolerance strategies. The ecological importance of early changes in the growth of species is discussed in the paper.

This study aimed verify the physical characteristics of the fruits and seeds of Hancornia speciosa in natural populations of the State of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Brazil. The data were collected in two municipalities of the RN, Macaíba and Nísia Floresta. For the biometrics (n = 86 fruits and 381 seeds), fresh weight (g), length (mm) and diameter (mm) were evaluated for fruits and seeds, seed number, seed thickness (mm), yield of the pulp (%). The biometrics data were analyzed through descriptive statistics (position and dispersion measurements). Finally, the t test was applied in order to detect differences between the averages of the biometric variables of this study and of other natural populations described in the literature. The pulp contributes on average 93.56% of the total fresh fruit mass, demonstrating high yield in the studied populations. In the comparison between the populations, it was verified that the variations in the characteristics of the mangabeira fruits are probably influenced by environmental and genetic factors, which should also be correlated in future works.

Residual biomass from forest harvesting consists of a mixture of wood, bark, leaves and needles that are often used to generate energy. In addition, this biomass can remain stored in the field for up to six months, which can affect its physical and energy properties. The pelleting process can be an alternative to improve the energy properties, transport and storage of this biofuel, allowing companies to better manage these resources. Thus, the effect of storage time in the field of the harvesting residual biomass of pine and eucalyptus on the properties of its pellets were evaluated. The results show that there is little influence of the storage time on the energy properties and there is a tendency to increase the physical and mechanical properties of the pellets produced from biomass with longer storage time in the field. We show that benefits can be obtained by producing pellets with forest harvest residues, even if they contain a non-woody fraction and regardless of the storage time in the field.

The fruits of the mangabeira tree (Hancornia speciosa) are used mainly in the Brazilian Northeast region to supply the agroindustry sector to produce juices, sweets, ice cream and other derivatives. To support conservation and population management, we analyzed the spatial pattern and the allometric relations of H. speciosa in natural populations. For the spatial distribution pattern, we used a second-order neighborhood density function (NDF). Polynomial regression equations were fitted from the allometric data based on the coefficient of determination (R²). We also used descriptive statistics. The H. speciosa trees studied did not occur in a random pattern in the studied areas, and the aggregation pattern (up to 15 and 20 m) was associated with the limited dispersion of seeds (e.g., barochory). The positive relation between the DBH (diameter at breast height) and total height showed good fit of the equation (R² = 0.72). Also, there were high correlations between the crown area and the overall height and DBH (R² = 0.83; R² = 0.81, respectively). The results obtained reflect adaptive strategies of H. speciosa in its natural habitat and provide information to support management and conservation of natural populations submitted to intensive fruit harvesting.

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