Abstract The restinga is a threatened Brazilian ecosystem and a highly heterogeneous environment. This work aimed to evaluate demographic and genetic aspects of Varronia curassavica and whether environmental heterogeneity can influence the studied population parameters. Three annual evaluations were carried out in an area of restinga in Florianópolis-SC, Brazil. Demographic data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the spatial distribution pattern was calculated by Ripley’s K-function and correlated with environmental characteristics. To characterize diversity and genetic structure, eight microsatellite markers were used. This work demonstrated that variations in the distribution of individuals and genotypes can be related to specific environments. Dry lowlands were environments favorable to population development, and flooded lowland and mobile dunes were unfavorable. The fixation indices were distinct between environments, evidencing a tendency toward preferential crosses in favor of heterozygotes. We found absence of spatial genetic structure, indicating that genotypes are randomly distributed and that gene flow may be related to such genetic factors as the presence of autoincompatibility mechanisms. This diversity of environments contributed to the aggregate distribution and is relevant for the maintenance of demographic and genetic processes of the species in restingas, and this aspect should be considered for in situ conservation.

Abstract: This study aimed to measure the wildlife consumption of Euterpe edulis fruit and use this data to discuss management possibilities. To estimate infructescence fruit volume consumed, collectors were installed in fruit-bearing palms. To characterize consumption from the ground, samples were placed next to fruiting palms. To identify wildlife and their activities, camera traps were installed in infructescences and on the ground. The results suggested that there was a small fruit surplus (1.8 %), and this finding indicated the possibility of a harvest to reduce food for the wildlife. However, recurrent variations in the annual fruit production (21.4 %) were also noted, and suggested that wildlife could tolerate some fruit harvesting. Thus, a harvest could be restricted to fruit volume that exceeds the annual average (94 kg/ha/year). Turdus flavipes, a migratory bird, was the most active species in the dispersal of seeds; this finding indicates the need for broader conservation strategies. Wildlife composition also changed along with the fruiting, and this alteration suggests that dependence on the fruit is variable among different species. Seed germination and seedling mortality were high, results that indicate that local conditions may have a predominant effect on seed volume in natural regeneration density.

ABSTRACT Varronia curassavica, a subshrubby medicinal species associated with restinga in the Atlantic Forest, has been exploited by local people and the pharmaceutical industry. Indeed, restingas have experienced a continuous process of degradation, and thus, with species and ecosystem both at risk, efforts to support conservation actions are required. The present study aimed to evaluate aspects of V. curassavica reproductive biology. To accomplish this, morphological characterization was performed by monitoring flowering events. The availability of nectar and pollen, as well as the frequency and behavior of floral visitors and dispersers, was also evaluated. This species exhibits both heterostyly and protogyny. Anthesis is diurnal, and flowers last less than a day. The high number of flower and fruit abortions suggests that mechanisms, such as self-incompatibility intra-morphs and easily detached flowers, contribute to reduced fruit production. The high diversity of floral visitors indicate a generalist pollination syndrome. Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera were the main pollinators, and nectar was the main resource sought by these insects. Fruits were dispersed by birds and ants. It can be concluded that the interaction of V. curassavica with several species is a key factor in its own survival and for maintaining the biological diversity of restinga.

Drimys brasiliensis Miers, popularmente conhecida como cataia ou casca-de-anta, é uma árvore nativa da Mata Atlântica, e suas cascas são usadas medicinalmente, através da exploração de populações naturais. Este estudo examinou a capacidade de reposição de cascas de D. brasiliensis sob diferentes metodologias de coleta de cascas, assim como a influências desses métodos na sua dinâmica populacional e biologia reprodutiva. Apesar de nenhum dos tratamentos terem resultado em modificações nas taxas de incremento em diâmetro à altura do peito e altura, nem do comportamento fenológico, quanto mais larga a lasca das cascas exploradas, menores as taxas de regeneração e maiores os índices de ataque de pragas e doenças. Portanto, é indicado que as lascas tenham largura de 2 cm por 2 m de altura, distanciadas entre si 4 cm. A partir desses estudos, D. brasiliensis tem um alto potencial de manejo sustentado em suas populacões naturais, demonstrando a possibilidade de gerar uma renda para proprietários rurais e contribuir para o uso e a conservação da Mata Atlântica.

Drimys brasiliensis Miers, locally known as cataia or casca-de-anta, is a native tree species of the Atlantic Rainforest. Its bark is harvested from natural populations. This study examined the recovery capacity of the bark of D. brasiliensis under different bark harvesting methods, as well as the influence of these approaches on its population dynamics and reproductive biology. While none of these treatments resulted in changes in phenological behavior or the rate of increase of diameter at breast height and tree height, the removal of wider bark strips resulted in lower rates of bark recovery and higher rates of insect attack and diseases. Accordingly, the results recommend using strips of bark 2 cm wide and 2 m long, with 4 cm between strips, for effective rates of bark regrowth and for lower susceptibility to insect attack and diseases. From these studies, we concluded that D. brasiliensis has a high potential for sustainable management of its natural populations, demonstrating the possibility of generating an important supplementary income for farmers and contributing to the use and conservation of the Atlantic Rainforest.

O estudo da fenologia reprodutiva de A. angustifolia tem aplicação na coleta de sementes destinadas à conservação de germoplasma, à obtenção de sementes para fins comerciais e ao entendimento da dinâmica de regeneração das populações naturais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a fenologia reprodutiva em uma população natural de A. angustifolia localizada no Parque Estadual Campos do Jordão, SP, procurando entender: (i) Qual é o seu ciclo reprodutivo e o comportamento fenológico? (ii) Como varia e qual o potencial de produção de sementes desta espécie? Para o acompanhamento da fenologia reprodutiva foram marcados 60 indivíduos (30 masculinos e 30 femininos), observados de novembro de1999 a agosto de 2002. A produção de sementes foi estimada com base na contagem do número de plantas femininas, número de estróbilos por planta, número de sementes por estróbilo e peso de sementes. O ciclo reprodutivo da A. angustifolia foi de 20 a 24 meses, do aparecimento dos estróbilos até a queda das sementes. A polinização ocorreu entre setembro e outubro e a maturação e queda das sementes de março a junho. A produção de sementes mostrou diferença significativa entre os anos (117 kg.ha-1 em 2001 e 160 kg.ha-1 em 2002) e a duração da oferta foi distinta entre anos. As variações na quantidade e duração da oferta de sementes sugerem que observações do comportamento reprodutivo são indispensáveis para a conservação e manejo adequado deste recurso.

The knowledge about the reproductive phenology of Araucaria angustifolia has applications to the seed harvest for "ex situ" conservation, for commercial use of the seeds and to understand the dynamic and regeneration of its natural populations. The reproductive phenology and seed production of A. angustifolia were evaluated for a natural population occurring at Parque Estadual Campos de Jordão, São Paulo State, Brazil. The present study investigates: (i) how is the reproductive cycle and the phenological pattern of araucaria? (ii) how is the potential of seed production and its variability? Sixty adult plants (30 males and 30 females) were marked for phenological observations. Seed production was estimated based on the number of female plants in a 10 ha area, number of cones per plant, number of seeds per cone and seed weight. The reproductive cycle of A. angustifolia extended for 20 to 24 months, from the observation of the first cone to seed fall. The pollination occurred between September and October and seed maturation and seed fall from March to June. Seed production was significantly different between years (117 kg.ha-1 in 2001 e 160 kg.ha-1 in 2002). The duration of ripe seed offer was also different between years. The variation observed in the amount and availability of seeds suggests that the observation of reproductive phenology and estimation of seed production are important to guide strategies for conservation and management of this resource.

A embriogênese somática in vitro é dependente de uma série de fatores, dentre os quais o genótipo da planta matriz doadora de explantes e a fonte de auxina para conferir competência embriogênica são considerados como determinativos. Uma vez obtidos, os embriões somáticos podem ser encapsulados em alginato para a obtenção de sementes sintéticas, permitindo assim o armazenamento em baixas temperaturas e o posterior cultivo de maneira semelhante à semente verdadeira. Os aspectos citados foram estudados no presente trabalho visando elucidar pontos de controle da embriogênese somática. Assim, embriões zigóticos excisados de frutos maduros de cinco acessos de Feijoa sellowiana Berg, foram avaliados quanto ao seu potencial embriogenético. Choques auxínicos de 2,4-D (20 miM) em períodos de 1, 2, 4, 8 e 16 semanas foram utilizados para estabelecer o período mínimo de aquisição de competência embriogênica dos explantes e o posterior efeito deste fitorregulador sobre o desenvolvimento e qualidade dos embriões somáticos. Diferentes composições de cápsulas de alginato foram empregadas para avaliar a polimerização das cápsulas e a contaminação das sementes sintéticas. A maior percentagem de indução da embriogênese somática e o maior número de embriões ocorreram nos acessos 101 e 50-4. Choques de 2,4-D de duas semanas foram suficientes para proporcionar valores similares de indução e produção de embriões somáticos, àqueles obtidos com choques de 4 e 8 semanas. Estudos histológicos demonstraram a origem direta da embriogênese somática a partir da epiderme cotiledonar. A adição dos sais de MS e sacarose ao alginato de sódio resultou em altos valores de contaminação das sementes sintéticas, quando comparados às capsulas isentas destas substâncias. O emprego do KNO3 (100 mM) permitiu a despolimerização e a abertura de 81,2% das sementes sintéticas em comparação aos valores de 0% para o tratamento com água.

The induction and control of in vitro somatic embryogenesis is dependent of a number of factors. The genotype of the mother plant donor of explants and the kind of auxin play essential roles in conferring embryogenic competence. Once obtained somatic embryos may be encapsulated in alginate originating synthetic seeds that can be stored at low temperatures. Considering this the present work aimed at the assessment of five different genotypes, five periods of 2,4-D shock (20 muM for 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks) (), and different substances supplemented to sodium alginate to obtain synthetic seeds. Zygotic embryos of Feijoa sellowiana were inoculated in basal LP medium (von Arnold and Erikson, 1981) supplemented with Morel’s vitamins, sucrose (3%) and phytagel (0.2%). The highest rates of somatic embryogenesis induction were observed in the genotypes 50-4 and 101. Shock of two weeks in 2,4-D conferred embryogenic competence in the same levels obtained with the shock of 8 weeks. Histological evaluations revealed the direct origin of the somatic embryos from the epidermic surface of cotyledons. Synthetic seeds containing MS salts and sucrose resulted in higher rates of contamination than capsules free of these substances. KNO3 (100 mM) resulted in the opening of 81.2% of the capsules as compared to 0% of opening in the treatment with water.