Resumo O semiárido nordestino é uma das regiões brasileiras mais desconhecidas, no tocante à diversidade vegetacional, uma vez que são propagadas, injustamente, informações que versam sobre as poucas plantas endêmicas da Caatinga. Entretanto, apesar desse bioma ter sofrido bastante pela ação antrópica, este apresenta uma grande diversidade de tipos vegetacionais, inclusive apresentando disjunções de outros biomas em áreas de exceção, como ocorrem nos brejos de altitude, que de maneira pontual estão presentes na paisagem do semiárido nordestino. Com isso, neste estudo buscou-se realizar uma análise no sentido da diferenciação da cobertura vegetal ao longo de um perfil topográfico, em recorte espacial do agreste meridional pernambucano, compreendendo porções dos municípios de Águas Belas, Iati e Saloá, através das dez parcelas instaladas ao longo desse perfil. A aplicação do Índice de Vegetação por Diferença Normalizada (NDVI) mostrou a variação dos valores em função da topografia, revelando que nas áreas de depressão, em que se observa uma caatinga mais seca, obteve-se o menor valor do NDVI (0,18). Em contrapartida, nas áreas de relevo mais elevado, onde se desenvolvem matas serranas e o cerrado, foram encontrados os maiores valores (0,49), mostrando, desta forma, a influência da topografia na distribuição da umidade e feições vegetacionais.

Abstract The semi-arid Northeast is one of the least known Brazilian regions in terms of vegetative diversity since claims of there being few plants endemic to the Caatinga are unjustly propagated. However, although this biome has suffered a lot through anthropic action, it presents a great diversity of vegetational types, including disjunctions of other biomes in exceptional areas, such as humid brejos de altitude, which are present as isolated patches in the landscape of the semi-arid Northeast. Thus, in this study, an analysis was made to differentiate the vegetation coverage along a topographic profile, in a spatial transect of the southern Agreste region of Pernambuco, comprising portions of the municipalities of Águas Belas, Iati and Saloá, through 10 plots established along this topographic profile. Application of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) showed the variation of values as a function of the topography, revealing that in depression areas, where drier caatinga is observed, the lowest value of NDVI was obtained (0.18). On the other hand, in the areas of higher relief, where montane forests and cerrado develop, the highest values were found (0.49), thus showing the influence of topography on the distribution of humidity and vegetational features.

Abstract: The lichen Cladonia salzmannii can influence the arbuscular mycorrhizal formation (AMF) of sandy soils in the Brazilian Northeast, thereby contributing to improved vascular plant growth. The objective of this work was to evaluate how C. salzmannii changes the biological processes of soil in a tropical savannah ecosystem where soils have low nutrient availability, so any lichen-induced effects would be important. The microbial activity, AMF, growth of Genipa americana and chemical-physical characteristics of the soil were analyzed. Soil samples were collected under pillows of lichen thalli or in open spaces without them. Chemical and biological soil attributes were evaluated by analysis of soluble and exchangeable cations, microbial activity and AMF colonization. The presence of barbatic acid (BAR), a major compound of C. salzmannii, was detected in the soil, which positively influenced soil properties. AMF colonization was higher in lichen-covered soil. G. americana seedlings were grown under greenhouse conditions, the experiment was done in a randomized design of 4 inoculation treatments. The inoculated plants with lichens+AMF presented greater growth parameters. The results could indicate that BAR is capable of stimulating the association between plants and AMF, linking the root and the soil system. This arrangement improves a positive feedback loop established between lichen-AMF-vascular plant.

RESUMO: Cladonia substellata Vainio é um líquen encontrado em diversos continentes do mundo, inclusive no nordeste do Brasil, possui vários metabólitos secundários com atividade biológica, entre eles, o ácido úsnico, que tem apresentado uma vasta gama de atividades biológicas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana in vitro do extrato orgânico de C. substellata e do ácido úsnico purificado. Para isto, foram isolados Staphylococcus spp. de amostras de pele e orelha de cães e gatos com suspeita de piodermatite e otite. No teste de sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos frente Staphylococcus spp., 77% (105/136) foram resistentes. Na avaliação da produção de biofilme 83% (113/136) foram classificadas como produtoras de biofilme. Na caracterização genotípica, 32% (44/136) foram positivos para o gene blaZ, nenhum isolado (n=136) foi positivo para o gene mecA, e 2% (3/136) foram positivos para o gene icaD. A atividade antimicrobiana in vitro do extrato orgânico de C. substellata e do ácido úsnico purificado para Staphylococcus spp. variou de 0,25mg/ml a 0,0019mg/ml, inibindo o crescimento bacteriano em baixas concentrações. Foram mais eficazes contra bactérias produtoras de biofilme (0,65mg/ml-0,42mg/ml) quando comparadas às não produtoras de biofilme (2,52mg/ml-2,71mg/ml). Viabilizando a utilização do ácido úsnico e do extrato orgânico de C. substellata, no tratamento de otite e piodermatite em cães e gatos com o envolvimento de Staphylococcus spp.

ABSTRACT: Cladonia substellata Vainio is a lichen found in different regions of the world, including the Northeast of Brazil. It contains several secondary metabolites with biological activity, including usnic acid, which has exhibited a wide range of biological activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the organic extract of C. substellata and purified usnic acid. Initially, Staphylococcus spp., derived from samples of skin and ears of dogs and cats with suspected pyoderma and otitis, were isolated and analyzed. In antimicrobial susceptibility testing against Staphylococcus spp., 77% (105/136) of the isolates were resistant to the antimicrobials tested. In the assessment of biofilm production, 83% (113/136) were classified as producing biofilm. In genetic characterization, 32% (44/136) were positive for blaZ, no isolate (0/136) was positive for the mecA gene, and 2% (3/136) were positive for the icaD gene. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the organic extract of C. substellata and purified usnic acid against Staphylococcus spp. ranged from 0.25mg/mL to 0.0019mg/mL, inhibiting bacterial growth at low concentrations. The substances were more effective against biofilm-producing bacteria (0.65mg/mL-0.42mg/mL) when compared to non-biofilm producing bacteria (2.52mg/mL-2.71mg/mL). Usnic acid and the organic extract of C. substellata can be effective in the treatment of pyoderma and otitis in dogs and cats caused by Staphylococcus spp.

Abstract In the 1970s, the social impacts of protected areas (PAs) began to be widely recognized as conservationist thinking and human rights evolved to an acceptance that conservation can be achieved in collaboration with traditional communities. However, such a 'human face' given to conservation is still not present in some 21st century PAs: Catimbau National Park - CNP (Northeast Brazil) is a strict protection park which does not allow people residing inside its borders. Thirteen years after its creation, people are still confused about the monetary compensations and displacements strategies. In this study, a review of the bibliography concerning the CNP is performed and a proposal is made to change the current park classification from National Park to Natural Monument, allowing for private areas and their residents, providing that their use of its natural resources is compatible with the conservation objectives stipulated.

Resumen En los años 70, los impactos sociales de las áreas protegidas comenzó a ser reconocido como el pensamiento conservacionista y los derechos humanos han evolucionado a la comprensión de que la conservación se puede lograr con la colaboración de las comunidades tradicionales. Este "rostro humano" permanece ausente en algunas áreas protegidas en el siglo 21: el Parque Nacional Catimbau (PNC - noreste de Brasil), es un parque estrictamente protegido, lo que significa que la residencia de población en su límites no está permitido. Trece años después de su creación, la gente continúa confundidos acerca de la compensación monetaria y las estrategias de desplazamiento. Este estudio, realizó una revisión de la literatura en la PNC y propone cambiar la actual clasificación de Parque Nacional para Monumento Natural, lo que permite la existencia de áreas particulares asegurando que es posible conciliar los objetivos de unidad con el uso de los recursos naturales.

Cladonia verticillaris used in this study was collected in the cerrado vegetation of Saloá (PE, Brazil) and transplanted in plastic containers on soil from the collection place to Belo Jardim (PE) that possesses lead smelters and battery industries. The experiments were disposed at eleven different places for evaluating the dispersion of pollutants and their effects on the biomonitor. The exposed lichens were collected over eight months and submitted to thin layer and high performance liquid chromatographies, and scanning electron microscopy. C. verticillaris placed in the vicinity of the emission sources demonstrated alteration in its metabolism, decreasing the production of its major compound, fumarprotocetraric acid, and deterioration of its external and internal surfaces.

A atividade antimicrobiana de extratos brutos de Ramalina sorediosa foi detectada pelo método de difusão em disco de papel. Dois metabólitos liquênicos de natureza fenólica foram identificados por meio de técnicas biocromatográficas. Uma dessas substâncias foi identificada por meio de cromatografia em camada delgada como sendo o ácido úsnico. A segunda substância, que se encontra presente em maior concentração em relação aos demais constituintes nos extratos, trata-se do ácido homossequicáico. As análises em cromatografia em camada delgada (CCD) e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) revelaram ainda a presença do ácido salazínico. Os dados obtidos tornam possível atribuir a atividade antibiótica observada nesta espécie a uma provável associação sinérgica destas substâncias.

The antimicrobian activity of crude extracts from Ramalina sorediosa was detected by the diffusion disc-paper method. Two phenolic compounds from the lichen considered active were detected by using biochromathograhyc technique. Two of those compounds were identified through thin layer chromatographic technique (TLC) as been usnic acid and the second one, wich is present in higher concentration when compared with the other substances, was the homosekikaik acid. The TLC and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) assays still detected the salazanic acid presence. The obtained data make it possible to attribute the antibiotic activity of this species to a synergic association of those two substances.

Utilizando-se o teste de difusão em meio sólido, detectou-se atividade antibacteriana em extratos de Physarella oblonga (Physaraceae) obtidos a partir de imobilização plasmodial e do plasmódio in natura. Os extratos foram ativos contra Staphylococcus aureus (halos=14 mmf) e Mycobacterium smegmatis (halos=12 mmf e 13 mmf). Menor inibição foi observada frente a Bacillus subtilis (halos=10 mmf e 9 mmf) e Pseudomonas aeruginosa (halos=10 mmf e 8 mmf). Escherichia coli apresentou resistência a todos os extratos testados. O cromatograma evidenciou semelhanças na composição química dos extratos, justificando as similaridades no potencial inibitório de ambos, sendo as substâncias com Rf 0,91 e 0,82, presentes em ambas as amostras, os prováveis inibidores do crescimento bacteriano.

Diffusion solid medium test was used to detect antibacterial activity in Physarella oblonga (Physaraceae) extracts obtained from plasmodial immobilization and in natura plasmodium. The extracts presented activity against Staphylococcus aureus (halos=14 mmf) and Mycobacterium smegmatis (halos=12 mmf e 13 mmf). Slower inhibition was obtained against Bacillus subtilis (halos=10 mmf e 9 mmf) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (halos=10 mmf e 8 mmf). Escherichia coli presented resistence to all tested extracts. The chromatogram revealed likeness in the chemical composition of the extracts, explaining similarities in inhibitory potential. The substances with Rf 0,91 and 0,82, present in both extracts, could be inhibitor agents of bacterial growth.

Extratos etéreos, acetônicos , metanólicos e aquosos de Cladonia substellata, C. crispatula e Cladina dendroides ocorrentes em solos arenosos de tabuleiros (cerrado) no Estado da Paraíba (Brasil), foram testados contra células PC3 e MDA-MB231 obtidas de adenocarcinoma prostático e mamário (humanos), bem como células P388 e L1210 provinientes de leucemia murina. Os resultados demonstraram uma maior eficácia dos extratos de C. substellata frente às quatro células testadas. Esta espécie e a Cladina dendroides, exceto seu extrato metanólico, apresentaram IC50 inferiores a 50(µg/ml, o que indica atividade satisfatória. Os extratos de C. crispatula não exerceram inibição relevante frente às células estudadas. Testes cromatográficos revelaram, em maior quantidade, a presença dos ácidos úsnico e estítico em C. substellata; ácido tamnólico em C. crispatula; atranorina e os ácidos protocetrárico e fumarprotocetrárico em C. dendroides, o que se supõe ser o princípio ativo dessas espécies.

Ethereous, acetonic and methanolic crude extracts from Cladonia substellata, C. Crispatula and Cladina dendroides occured on sandy soil of Paraíba State - Brazil, were tested against PC3 and MDA-MB231 cells from prostatic and breast human adenocarcinom, and P388 and L1210 cells from murine leukemia.The results showed the highest inhibition of Cladonia substellata extracts against the four tested cells. This specie and Cladina dendroides, except its methanolic extract, presented IC50 lower than 50µg/ml that indicates a satisfactory activity. Cladonia crispatula extracts did not exert inhibition on the studied cells. Chromatographic tests revealed the presence, in highest content, of usnic an stictic acids in C. substellata; thamnolic acid in C. crispatula protocetraric and fumarprocetraric acids and atranorin in C. dendroides, what one may suppose to be the active principles of the studied species.