Phytosociology of the herbaceous-subshrub layer of a rupestrian complex in Serra do Espinhaço, Brazil

Abstract

Rupestrian complexes of the Serra do Espinhaço are recognized for their high degree of biodiversity and endemism. However, environmental impacts, particularly from mining, have degraded these environments. Th e purpose of this study was to describe the herbaceous-subshrub communities that occur in quartzitic (QRC) and ferruginous (FRC) rupestrian complexes in diff erent seasons of the year, with regard to fl oristic similarity and phytosociological structure. Additionally, the study aimed to identify native species with potential use for the restoration of similar degraded areas. Vegetation was sampled from plots located in the municipality of Conceição do Mato Dentro, state of Minas Gerais. Five contiguous strata of 10 × 50 m were demarcated in each environment, in which 12 plots of 2 × 1 m (2 m²) were randomly distributed, for a total of 60 plots (sample units) in each physiognomy. Th e studied communities exhibited few similarities and lower fl oristic diversity than other rupestrian complexes. Detrended correspondence analysis distinguished the communities of FRC from those of QRC. Th e species with the highest value of importance in FRC were Bulbostylis fi mbriata and Centrosema brasilianum, while in QRC Echinolaena infl exa had the highest values, thus, making them eligible for restoration programs in similar environments.

Coming out in a harsh environment: a new genus and species for a land flatworm (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida) occurring in a ferruginous cave from the Brazilian savanna

“…8 ), in an area characterized by rocky outcrops with lateritic cover. The cave surroundings show an open vegetation composed of herbs, shrubs and trees, associated with ferruginous rocks, which is characteristic of rupestrian complexes ( Rapini et al, 2008 ; Oliveira et al, 2018 ). The type-locality is located close to that of Pasipha ferrariaphila , in an area planned for mining activities ( Leal-Zanchet & Marques, 2018 ).…”

Fertility responses of a native grass: technology supporting native plant production for restoration in Brazil

“…Schizachyrium sanguineum is a C4 perennial, caespitose, 60-300-cm long grass (Clayton et al 2006;Rose et al 2018). Even though widely distributed in different regions of the world, including Africa (Padonou et al 2015;Rose et al 2018) and Asia (Arthan et al 2017), it is considered native to the Brazilian Cerrado (Tannus & Assis 2004;Oliveira et al 2018). Therefore, this species is commonly used to restore Cerrado areas by direct seeding (Pellizzaro et al 2017;Sampaio et al 2019;Giles et al 2021), but there is no information on its response to nutrient availability and on how to manage it for nursery growing.…”

Searching for shelter in a ferruginous cave? A new species of Pasipha from a plateau in the Brazilian savanna (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida)

“…It was sampled in an area situated in the eastern margin of Serra do Espinhaço Plateau, in southeastern Brazil. The area is covered by Brazilian savanna on rocky outcrops, also known as rupestrian complexes (Rapini et al 2008, Oliveira et al 2018), which occur associated with quartzite, sandstone, and itabirite above 900 m of altitude along the Serra do Espinhaço (Giulietti et al 2000). The sampling site is the entrance zone of a ferruginous cave, representing 80% of the cave area.…”