Is the herb-shrub composition of veredas (Brazilian palm swamps) distinguishable?

Abstract

Vereda (Brazilian palm swamp) is a poorly known savannic phytophysiognomy that occurs on moist soils with high herb-shrub fl oristic richness. Th is study aimed to document the herb-shrub species of veredas of the Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins -EESGTO, and compare this fl ora with other veredas in Brazil. Furthermore, we assessed the similarity of the herb-shrub flora of the studied veredas with that of inventories of other savannas and grasslands in order to evaluate whether veredas possess an exclusive fl ora. Ordination analysis was performed to understand the fl oristic relationship among these areas. We recorded 213 species, 105 genera and 49 families at EESGTO, including fi ve new fl oral records for the Cerrado and 78 for the state of Tocantins. Th e fl oristic similarity among veredas at EESGTO and the other sites was low. For all sites, a total of 1,324 species were recorded, of which 342 were unique to veredas and 187 unique to moist grasslands (campos limpos úmidos). After reviewing databases, 14.3 % of these species remained exclusive to veredas and moist grasslands. Th e ordination analysis indicated a gradient in fl oristic composition from wet to dry phytophysiognomies. In conclusion, we recognize a fl ora that distinguishes veredas from other Cerrado phytophysiognomies.

Floristic Elements as Basis for Conservation of Wetlands and Public Policies in Brazil: The Case of Veredas of the Prata River

“…The floristic inventory was not exhaustive and we assume that it was sufficient to infer upon the similarity with other veredas. For instance, the number of species (157) is comparable to 213 species recorded in five vereda sites by Silva et al (2018).…”

“…Our report adds to the scarce knowledge on these wetlands, which can be highlighted by the presence of the recently described new species Cyperus valiae Pereira-Silva, Hefler & Trevis. (Poales, Poaceae) (Pereira- Silva et al 2018), endemic to these marshes. Also, worth mentioning is the discovery of the two paludicolous orchids Bletia catenulata Ruiz & Pav.…”

“…However, in Mato Grosso do Sul state, veredas may occur without the palm (Moreira 2015. Silva et al (2018) considered these palmless veredas as moist (wet) grasslands, distinguishing veredas and moist grasslands, despite 53% floristic similarity. However, in the Brazilian classification of wetlands proposed by Junk et al (2014) and Cunha et al (2014), vereda is any permanently wet area, with grassy-herbaceous vegetation.…”

Angiosperms of dry grasslands and savannahs of Jalapão, the largest conserved Cerrado area in Brazil

“…The region is also the largest continuous protected Cerrado area (Silva & Bates 2002), comprising 10 protected areas of which stands out the: Parque Estadual do Jalapão with 158,885 ha, Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins with 707,078.75 ha, and Parque Nacional Nascentes do Parnaíba with 724,324.61 ha (Schmidt et al 2007; Portaria do Ministério do Meio Ambiente n o 434/2016). However, presently, the relative reprieve of the Jalapão region from anthropogenic disturbance within the Cerrado is under threat due the recent MATOPIBA (Presidência da República 2015) initiative, which includes the region as part of an expanding agricultural frontier (Silva et al 2017). Therefore, the Jalapão region is in critical need of a current, rigorous biodiversity assessment (Seplan 2003).…”

Recursos Florais E Sistemas De Polinização Bióticos Em Vegetação Lenhosa De Uma Vereda No Parque Estadual Da Serra De Caldas Novas, Go, Brasil

“…Apesar de sua importância, poucos são os estudos encontrados na literatura sobre as veredas (Araújo et al 2002, Guimarães et al 2002, Ramos et al 2006, Oliveira et al 2009, Tubelis, 2009, Moreira et al 2011, Sousa et al 2011, Santos & Munhoz, 2012, Resende et al 2013, Ramos et al, 2014, Fagundes & Ferreira, 2016, Silva et al 2018, Santos et al 2018) e a maioria restringe-se aos levantamentos florísticos, fitossociológicos e sobre os solos destes ambientes. A composição biológica e a dinâmica dessas comunidades vegetais são pouco conhecidas, necessitando pesquisas mais abrangentes sobre a sua biodiversidade (Oliveira et al 2009).…”