Abstract Experimental trials were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of mulching with carnauba bagana, a by-product of wax extraction from Copernicia prunifera leaves, on the establishment of 32 shrub and tree species in the Caatinga region. The evaluations were made in areas degraded by mining and embankment of piçarra. Treated plants received 10 L of carnauba mulch in the crown of planted seedlings, while control plants received no mulch. After 24 months, mulching of carnauba improved the growth or survival of eight of the 32 species, while worsening that of two species. Specifically, mulching increased (p<0.05) the survival of Pseudobombax marginatum and Peltophorum dubium, and the height and canopy area of Anadenanthera colubrina, Bauhinia cheilantha, Copernicia prunifera, Hymenaea courbaril, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia and Senna spectabilis. The results demonstrate that the carnauba-based mulch can be directed to the species that responded positively, with the goal of improving establishment and growth in degraded areas of the region.

Abstract Invasive exotic grasses are among the biggest obstacles to the success of reforestation projects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the crowning with cardboard in suppressing the grasses Urochloa humidicola and Megathyrsus maximus aiming its use in reforestation areas. A field experiment was installed in a completely randomized design with two treatments consisted of crowning with cardboard and without crowning (control). The crowning with cardboard caused a progressive reduction of the biomass and was effective in causing senescence of both grasses in 80% or more of the crowning area between 20 and 50 days after the crowning (F test; p<0,05). These results demonstrate the effectiveness and potential of using the crowning with cardboard to control alien grass species in reforestation areas. This method brings as an innovation the possibility of placing cardboard directly on the grass after mowing, allowing greater simplicity and lower operating cost.

Resumo Interações bióticas relacionadas ao consumo de néctar e frutos como recurso alimentar de aves promovendo polinização e dispersão de plantas, são essenciais para o funcionamento do ecossistema florestal. A interação diária de pássaros com Acnistus arborescens (Solanaceae) foi estudada no interior e entorno do Parque Nacional do Itatiaia. A fenologia reprodutiva foi monitorada mensalmente em dezoito indivíduos durante o ano de 2015. Durante a floração (agosto a novembro) e frutificação (setembro a dezembro) foram estudadas as interações aves-planta. Flores foram visitadas por sete espécies de beija-flores e vários insetos. Quase 90% das flores estudadas tornaram-se frutos. Trinta e cinco espécies de aves, pertencentes a onze famílias, foram consumidores dos frutos. Thraupidae com dezesseis espécies de aves foi a família responsável pela maior parte desse consumo (53,9%). Considerando que mais de 10% da riqueza das aves do Parque Nacional do Itatiaia interagem com A. arborescens, essa espécie pode ser considerada como de grande importancia na manutenção da diversidade de aves. Essa característica de atração de aves, faz com que A. arborescens seja uma espécie a ter seu uso considerado em projetos de recuperação áreas degradadas, e também como espécie vegetal focal para programas de educação ambiental voltados para observação de aves.

Abstract Biotic interactions related to the consumption of floral nectar and fruits as food resource by birds promoting plant pollination and dispersal, are essential for forest ecosystem functioning. The daily interaction of birds with Acnistus arborescens (Solanaceae), a shrub-tree, was studied in the Itatiaia National Park and its surroundings. Reproductive phenology was monthly monitored in eighteen individuals in 2015. During flowering (August to November) and fruiting (September to December) the interaction birds-plant was studied. Flowers were visited by seven hummingbird species and several insects. Fruit set was 87.3%. Thirty-five bird species of eleven families consumed its fruit. Thraupidae with sixteen bird species was the family responsible for most of its frugivory (53.9%). Considering that more than 10% of the birds richness of Itatiaia National Park - INP interacts with A. arborescens, it can be considered an important plant species in maintaining local bird diverstity. Thus, for attracting many birds, A. arborescens can be used in the process of recovery of degraded areas, and also as a focal plant species for environmental education programs and birdwatching.

RESUMO Este trabalho objetivou a análise do histórico (1937-2008) de ocorrência de incêndios florestais do Parque Nacional do Itatiaia (PNI), primeiro parque do Brasil. Para isso, foi realizado um levantamento de informações no PNI, sobre o número total de incêndios, a extensão das áreas queimadas, os meses de maior incidência, a relação do fogo ao período de seca, a fauna e flora atingidas, os agentes causadores, as principais causas e as perícias dos incêndios. Foram identificados 323 incêndios (1937-2008). Apenas nos últimos sete anos foram queimados 5.724 ha, dentro e no entorno do Parque. As queimadas ocorreram sobretudo no inverno (90%), período de seca, durante os meses de julho a outubro. As fitofisionomias com as maiores extensões atingidas foram os campos de altitude, ecossistema nativo da Mata Atlântica e restrito às montanhas do sudeste. De maneira geral, poucas informações foram identificadas em relação à fauna afetada, as causas e os agentes causadores dos incêndios, sendo que, por apenas duas vezes, foram realizadas perícias. Os dados revelaram a fragilidade do PNI diante dos incêndios florestais e a importância de serem implementadas ações de prevenção e combate, que garantam efetivamente a proteção integral dessa Unidade de Conservação.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the fire reports occurring in the Itatiaia National Park (INP) between 1937 and 2008 and aiming to show information about the total number of fires occurred, and the annual burnt areas, in relation with climate and biodiversity, the months of highest occurrence, the origins and causes of fires. A survey of 323 reports of forest fires showed the highest incidence of forest fires in the months of winter, during the dry season, between July and October. The most affected vegetation was that of the “campos de altitude” (high-altitude grasslands), a native ecosystem of Atlantic Rainforest restricted to the isolated southeastern high peaks and plateaus. Most of the fires had unknown origins and causes, and only twice were examinations by experts carried out. Data revealed INP fragility against forest fires and the importance and the need of Forest Fire Privation and Control Plans for effective biodiversity protection.