-(Variations in floristic and phytosociological structure of an upper montane forest in Mantiqueira Range, Monte Verde, MG). The upper montane forests are known to have a different floristic composition and phytosociological structure from forests located at lower altitudes. A survey was carried out in an area of upper montane forest of the Mantiqueira Range near Monte Verde, municipality of Camanducaia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The main objective of this study was to analyze the effect of an altitudinal gradient on the floristic composition and vegetation structure. Seven blocks, each with five of 10 × 10 m plots, were located at altitudes ranging from 1,820 m to 1,940 m, and all bamboos and trees with GHB ³ 15 cm were sampled. A total of 1,191 individuals were included, belong to 64 tree species and two bamboos in a total of 42 genera and 26 families, including the standing dead individuals. The estimated density was 3,403 ind ha -1 and the value of the Shannon-Wiener (H') index was 3.284 nat ind -1 . The dead biomass had the highest importance value (42.06), followed by Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) Landrum (24.59), Roupala rhombifolia Mart. ex Meisn. (19.98) and Drimys brasiliensis Miers (18.57). The structural parameters maximum canopy height and number of branched individuals were correlated with altitude. Although the altitudinal gradient is relatively short, a considerable degree of species substitution was observed, leading to a well-marked floristic gradient.Key words -altitude, Atlantic Rain Forest, Mantiqueira Range, phytosociology, upper montane forest RESUMO -(Variações na composição florística e na estrutura fitossociológica de uma floresta ombrófila densa alto-montana na Serra da Mantiqueira, Monte Verde, MG). As florestas alto-montanas são reconhecidas por apresentarem composição florística e estrutura fitossociológica distintas das florestas em cotas altitudinais inferiores. Realizou-se um levantamento fitossociológico em uma floresta alto-montana localizada na Serra da Mantiqueira, distrito de Monte Verde, Camanducaia, Minas Gerais. O principal objetivo foi analisar o efeito do gradiente altitudinal na composição florística e na estrutura fitossociológica da vegetação. Foram instalados sete blocos paralelos com cinco parcelas contíguas de 10 × 10 m, distantes 50 m, entre 1.840 e 1.920 m de altitude. Todos os indivíduos arbóreos com CAP ³ 15 cm foram amostrados, assim como as "moitas de bambu" que continham no mínimo 10 perfilhos. Foram amostrados 1.191 indivíduos, pertencentes a 64 espécies arbóreas e duas espécies de bambu, distribuídas entre 42 gêneros e 26 famílias, além da classe de indivíduos mortos. A densidade total equivalente foi de 3.403 ind ha -1 e o índice de diversidade de Shannon-Wiener (H') foi de 3,284 nat ind -1 . A biomassa morta destacou-se pelo elevado valor de importância (42,06), seguida de Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) Landrum (24,59), Roupala rhombifolia Mart. ex Meisn. (19,98) e Drimys brasiliensis Miers (18,57). Entre os parâmetros estruturais...

In a previous study near the summit of Mt. Cuscuzeiro (Ubatuba, SP) (820-1270 m), on the SE Brazilian coast, we found two floristically different forests, one above 1120 m, that appears to have a number of features typical of cloud forests, and another on the lower altitude slopes below. Taking these two forests as reference points, we addressed two questions: (1) What are their floristic relationships with other Atlantic forest subtypes in S-SE Brazil?; (2) Do the cloud forests in this region constitute a particular floristic-phytogeographic formation or are they a subset of their surrounding community? Species from 109 surveys (including Mount Cuscuzeiro) of 83 locations in S-SE Brazil were compiled into a binary (presence-absence) floristic matrix. Analyses of similarity among these samples using clustering (UPGMA, TWINSPAN) and ordination (DCA, PCO and CA) methods were performed. The surveys were divided into six main groups: (1) Cloud Forests; (2) ''Salesópolis'' group (3) Coastal Forests, subdivided between (a) Slope Forests and (b) Coastal Plain (''Restinga'') Forests and Mountaintop Forests (not included in the Cloud Forests group); (4) Araucaria Forests; (5) Inland Seasonal Forests (from below ca. 700 m); and (6) Inland Montane Forests (from above ca. 700 m). The preferential and indicator species of the Cloud Forest group produced by TWINSPAN are presented. The Mount Cuscuzeiro forests from above and from below 1120 m were clustered with the Cloud Forests and the coastal Slope Forests groups, respectively. We concluded that Cloud forests comprise a distinct phytogeographic formation in Brazilian S-SE region.

A Serra da Mantiqueira apresenta um mosaico de formações vegetacionais composto por florestas altimontanas, florestas de araucária, campos de altitude e afloramentos rochosos. Realizamos um levantamento florístico nas formações altimontanas do distrito de Monte Verde, Camanducaia, MG, Sudeste do Brasil, para quantificarmos a riqueza específica de cada formação e analisarmos a distribuição geográfica das espécies. Foram coletadas 499 espécies, distribuídas entre 97 famílias e 285 gêneros. As famílias com maior riqueza específica foram Asteraceae (77 espécies), Melastomataceae e Orchidaceae (25), Myrtaceae (24), Solanaceae (23), Cyperaceae e Fabaceae (22), e Rubiaceae (18). Os gêneros mais ricos foram Baccharis (16 espécies), Solanum (15), Leandra (10), Myrceugenia (9), Tibouchina (8) e Myrcia (7). Registramos a ocorrência de três espécies recém-descritas e cinco novos registros para o estado de Minas Gerais. Cerca de 60 espécies são exclusivas do Sudeste brasileiro, enquanto 124 ocorrem também na região Sul. A presença de espécies endêmicas e com distribuição geográfica restrita destaca a influência da Serra da Mantiqueira na distribuição de espécies vegetais no Domínio da Floresta Atlântica. Palavras-chave: floresta atlântica, florestas altimontanas, florestas de araucária, campos de altitude, afloramentos rochosos. AbstractThe Serra da Mantiqueira mountain range harbors a mosaic of high-mountain vegetation composed of upper montane forests, Araucária forests, high-altitude grasslands and rocky outcrops. A floristic survey was carried out in the upper montane formations of Monte Verde district, Camanducaia, in the State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, to quantify the richness of each formation, and analyze the geographic distribution of species. A total of 499 species was collected, distributed among 97 families and 285 genera. The richest families were Asteraceae (77 species), Melastomataceae and Orchidaceae (25), Myrtaceae (24), Orchidaceae (23), Solanaceae (23), Cyperaceae and Fabaceae (22), and Rubiaceae (18). The richest genera were Baccharis (16 species), Solanum (15), Leandra (10), Myrceugenia (9), Tibouchina (8), and Myrcia (7). The occurrence of three newly described species and five new records for Minas Gerais state were observed. About 60 species occur only in the southeast of Brazil, while 124 also occur in the southern region of Brazil. The occurrence of endemic species and species with narrow geographic distribution showed the influence of the Serra da Mantiqueira mountain chain on the distribution of plant species in the Atlantic Forest Domain.

ResumoEste trabalho apresenta o levantamento florístico das plantas vasculares da Reserva Biológica da Represa do Grama, um remanescente de floresta estacional semidecidual do Domínio Atlântico, situado no município de Descoberto, Minas Gerais. Foram realizadas coletas quinzenais de material fértil entre agosto de 1999 e dezembro de 2004. Além do levantamento, fez-se a comparação da composição florística através de análises multivariadas de agrupamento com outras nove áreas (3 de floresta estacional e 6 de ombrófila), cujos levantamentos florísticos de angiospermas tiveram abordagem semelhante. Cada análise foi processada para o conjunto total das espécies e para oito hábitos: árvores (incluindo arvoretas), arbustos, trepadeiras (lenhosas e herbáceas), ervas terrícolas, ervas saxícolas, epífitas, hemiepífitas e parasitas. Na ReBio do Grama foram registradas 644 espécies de angiospermas, distribuídas em 370 gêneros e 100 famílias. Licófitas e samambaias estão representadas por 64 espécies, distribuídas em 37 gêneros e 16 famílias. Seis espécies de angiospermas foram descritas como novas para a ciência. Fabaceae (55 spp.) foi a família com maior riqueza específica, seguida de Rubiaceae (50 spp.), Melastomataceae (28 spp.), Bignoniaceae e Orchidaceae (27 spp. cada) e Myrtaceae (25 spp.). As análises multivariadas sugeriram que os gradientes longitudinais, latitudinais e altitudinais interferem de formas distintas sobre os padrões de riqueza dos diferentes hábitos. O número reduzido de espécies compartilhadas entre as áreas, associado com alta riqueza regionalizada de alguns hábitos demonstra a importância da conservação de fragmentos nas diferentes regiões geográficas da Floresta Atlântica como estratégia para maximizar a conservação da diversidade existente neste domínio fitogeográfico. Palavras-chave: composição florística, Mata Atlântica, Zona da Mata. AbstractThe vascular plants survey of a remnant of semideciduous seasonal forest in the Atlantic Forest Biome was carried out in the ReBio do Grama, municipality of Descoberto, Minas Gerais, through forthnightly trips to collect fertile specimens between August 1999 and December 2004. The angiosperms included 644 species distributed in 370 genera and 100 families, including 6 species new to science, while the lycophytes and ferns included 64 species in 37 genera and 16 families. Fabaceae (55 spp.) was the family with the highest number of species, followed by Rubiaceae (50 spp.), Melastomataceae (28 spp.), Bignoniaceae and Orchidaceae (27 spp. each) and Myrtaceae (25 spp.). Once the survey was concluded, a comparison between it and the floristic composition of other nine areas (3 of seasonal and 6 of dense ombrophilous forest) was performed through multivariate analysis. These 9 sites were chosen as their surveys also included all angiosperm habits rather Flora vascular da Reserva Biológica da Represa do Grama, Minas Gerais, e sua relação florística com outras florestas do sudeste brasileiro IntroduçãoA despeito da grande perda de sua cobertura vegetal, a Florest...

The upper montane forests in the southern and southeastern regions of Brazil have an unusual and discontinuous geographic distribution at the top of the Atlantic coastal mountain ranges. To describe the floristic composition and structure of the Atlantic Forest near its upper altitudinal limit in southeastern Brazil, 30 plots with 10  10 m were installed in three forest sites between 2,200 and 2,300 m.a.s.l. at Serra Fina. The floristic composition and phytosociological structure of this forest were compared with other montane and upper montane forests. In total, 704 individuals were included, belonging to 24 species, 15 families, and 19 genera. Myrsinaceae, Myrtaceae, Symplocaceae, and Cunoniaceae were the most important families, and Myrsine gardneriana, Myrceugenia alpigena, Weinmannia humilis, and Symplocos corymboclados were the most important species. The three forest sites revealed differences in the abundance of species, density, canopy height, and number of stems per individual. The upper montane forests showed structural similarities, such as lower richness, diversity, and effective number of species, and they tended to have higher total densities and total dominance per hectare to montane forests. The most important species in these upper montane forests belong to Austral-Antartic genera or neotropical and pantropical genera that are typical of montane areas. The high number of species shared by these forests suggests past connections between the vegetation in southern Brazilian high-altitude areas.

The shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora.

Purpose of Review: Tropical Montane Cloud Forest (TMCF) is a highly vulnerable ecosystem which occurs at higher elevations in tropical mountains. Many aspects of TMCF vegetation functioning are poorly understood, making it difficult to quantify and project TMCF vulnerability to global change. We compile functional traits data to provide an overview of TMCF functional ecology. We use numerical models to understand the consequences of TMCF functional composition with respect to its responses to climate and link the traits of TMCF to its environmental conditions.Recent Findings: TMCF leaves are small and have low SLA but high Rubisco content per leaf area. This implies that TMCF maximum net leaf carbon assimilation (An) is high, but often limited by low temperature and leaf wetting.Cloud immersion provides important water, and potentially nutrient, inputs to TMCF plants. TMCF species possess low sapwood specific conductivity which is compensated with a lower tree height and higher sapwood to leaf area ratio. These traits associated with a more conservative stomatal regulation results in a higher hydraulic safety margin than nearby forests not affected by clouds. The architecture of TMCF trees including its proportionally thicker trunks and large root systems increase tree mechanical stability. Summary:The TMCF functional traits can be conceptually linked to its colder and cloudy environment limiting An, growth, water transport and nutrient availability. A hotter climate would drastically affect the abiotic filters shaping TMCF communities and potentially facilitate the invasion of TMCF by more productive lowland species.

De junho de 1998 a dezembro de 1999, cinco eventos reprodutivos do falcão-de-coleira Falco femoralis foram registrados e monitorados no município de Juiz de Fora, Estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste brasileiro. Dois ninhos encontrados em 1998 foram monitorados por duas estações reprodutivas (1998/99), enquanto um terceiro, encontrado em 1999, foi monitorado apenas em uma estação reprodutiva. Todos os ninhos estavam situados em árvores isoladas, localizadas em áreas de pastagens, e a altura em relação ao solo, variou entre 5,1 a 7,2 m. A estação reprodutiva ocorreu, nos dois anos, no final da estação seca e no início da estação chuvosa (posturas efetuadas em agosto e setembro).Dos 15 ovos colocados, três foram predados e outros três foram abandonados pelo casal, possivelmente por perturbação antrópica. A média de postura foi de três ovos por ninho e a taxa de eclosão dos filhotes foi de 1,6 ( 1,5. Oito filhotes eclodiram do total dos ovos colocados. A média de filhotes por ninho que alcançaram o primeiro vôo foi de 1,4 ( 1,5, representada por sete filhotes (seis no primeiro ano e um no segundo ano do estudo). Com exceção de um casal que abandonou o sítio reprodutivo em 1999, todos os indivíduos permaneceram durante todo o monitoramento, em seus territórios. Foi constatada a utilização de um ninho abandonado e o maior ninho possuía 77 cm de diâmetro, 32 cm de altura e 25 cm de profundidade da cuba interna. A biologia reprodutiva do falcão-de-coleira nesse estudo foi similar ao registrado em outras regiões, sendo que variações de latitude e condições climáticas parecem não afetar o padrão reprodutivo da espécie.