Diversity and conservation status of bromeliads from Serra da Piedade, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

The Espinhaço Mountain Range in Minas Gerais state in southeastern Brazil is a center of endemism of the Bromeliaceae, mainly in campo rupestre montane vegetation that grows under rigorous edapho-climatic conditions. This study sought to improve our knowledge of the Bromeliaceae from Serra da Piedade in the extreme southern portion of the Espinhaço Mountain Range where ironstone outcrops predominate. Conservation status and spatial distribution of these plants were analyzed as well as floristic similarities with other regions with rocky outcrops. Twenty-five bromeliad species were found in Serra da Piedade, with the subfamily Tillandsioideae being the best represented. Twenty-seven percent of the species were exclusive to campo rupestre environments, while 73% occurred both on outcrops and in forest habitats. The bromeliads in the study area merit special attention as two species are considered vulnerable (Racinaea aerisincola and Vriesea minarum), five are endangered, and three are critically endangered. Low Jaccard index values indicated dissimilarities between the bromeliad floras in different localities of quartzite and ironstone outcrops within the Espinhaço Mountain Range. Serra da Piedade has a distinct bromeliad flora that is threatened by mining activities and illegal harvesting and requires immediate measures to help guarantee conservation.

How are endemic and widely distributed bromeliads responding to warming temperatures? A case study in a Brazilian hotspot

“…On the other hand, since A. nudicaulis is from Bromelioideae and V. minarum and V. bituminosa are from Tillandsioideae subfamily, the similar thermal tolerance observed among the last two species may be explained not only by the influence of their photosynthetic pathway (i.e. C 3 photosynthesis), but also by a phylogenetic signal, as shown by Marques et al (2012) and Müller et al (2016) for seed germination of bromeliads.…”

Population genetics of the endemic and endangered Vriesea minarum (Bromeliaceae) in the Iron Quadrangle, Espinhaço Range, Brazil

“…Populations are separated by vertical bars (for population abbreviations, see Table 2 ). As conservation approaches, fi rst, laws addressing mineral extraction should be created and enforced, to prevent loss of the entire habitat ( Ding et al, 2008 ) since, independently of population genetic diversity, other organisms (such as pollinators and dispersers) depend on the fl ora of ironstone outcrops ( Porembski et al, 1998 ;Benzing, 2000 ;Versieux et al, 2010a ;Marques et al, 2012 ). Second, a germplasm bank should be created with seeds and individuals from different populations, especially those of Pedra Rachada, Morro do Tamanduá, and Serra do Gandarela 2, which had the largest numbers of private alleles and are next to areas where mining is currently expanding.…”

“…Bromeliaceae plants have an ecological importance in rocky outcrops, where many other plant species have diffi culty growing, and several species have been threatened by habitat loss from human activities ( Porembski et al, 1998 ;Benzing, 2000 ;Versieux et al, 2010a ;Marques et al, 2012 ). Vriesea minarum L.B.Sm.…”

<p class="HeadingRunIn"><strong>A new ornithophilous yellow-flowered <em>Vriesea</em> (Bromeliaceae) from Serra do Caraça, Minas Gerais, Brazil</strong></p>

“…95%) are endemic to this country (Forzza et al 2012). This richness is demonstrated in several floristic inventories carried out in Brazilian parks and also along different states where Vriesea usually is the most representative bromeliad genus (Versieux & Wendt 2007, Costa et al 2009, Costa & Wendt 2010, Coser et al 2010, Machado & Menini-Neto 2010, Marques et al 2012.…”