ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to characterize the floristic-structural heterogeneity of the tree species in an alluvial forest remnant considering three sectors: forest-river edge, forest interior and forest/non-forest matrix edge. Forty-eight plots of 200 m 2 were allocated and all tree individuals with a diameter at breast height (dbh) equal to or greater than 5 cm were measured and identified. Data was analyzed by Shannon’s diversity index, Pielou evenness and phytosociological descriptors. Plots were ordered through NMDS. Sixty-six species were sampled and Myrtaceae was found to be the richest family. Diversity and evenness reached 2.96 and 0.71, respectively. Sebastiania commersoniana (Baill.) L.B.Sm. & Downs presented the highest importance value (21.22%). The NMDS showed that tree components are spatially partitioned according to sectors, therefore indicating floristic-structural heterogeneity.

Resumo O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a variação de atributos funcionais de espécies arbóreas ao longo de diferentes posições topográficas, em uma floresta subtropical na região do Alto Uruguai, em Santa Catarina. Para as 20 espécies mais abundantes na área amostrada, foram determinados densidade básica da madeira (WD), altura potencial (Hmax), área foliar (LA), área foliar específica (SLA), regime de renovação foliar, guildas de regeneração e de dispersão. A estrutura funcional foi avaliada por meio dos valores dos atributos funcionais por parcela, ponderados para a comunidade (CWM). A partir de um Modelo Digital do Terreno na resolução de 1 m, foram extraídas para cada parcela a elevação, a declividade e curvatura. Os dados foram analisados por meio de correlações lineares, Análise de Coordenadas Principais (PCoA), Análises de Componente Principais (PCA) e modelo linear simples. Os resultados demonstraram correlações significativas e negativas entre Hmax x LA e Hmax x SLA. O gradiente topográfico influenciou de forma significativa a estrutura funcional do componente arbóreo. Conclui-se que a ocupação de diferentes posições no gradiente topográfico e ao longo do perfil vertical da floresta se deve ao fato das espécies apresentarem diferentes estratégias ecológicas.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate functional attributes of tree species along different topographic position, in a forest located in Upper Uruguay region, in Santa Catarina. The wood density (WD), potential height (Hmax), leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), leaves renovation regime, regeneration and dispersal guilds were determined for the 20 most abundant species in the sampled area. The functional structure was evaluated through a community weight matrix (CWM) of traits values for each sampling unit. Mean values of elevation, declivity and curvature were extracted for each sampling unit, from a Terrain Digital Model in a resolution of 1 m. The data was analyzed through linear correlations, Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA), Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and linear simple model. The results indicated significant and negative correlation between Hmax x LA and Hmax x SLA. The topographic gradient significantly influenced the functional structure of tree component. It is concluded that the occupation of different positions along the topographic gradient and the forest vertical profile by tree species were mediated by different ecological strategies.

RESUMO Estudos sobre a regeneração natural de comunidades de espécies arbóreas são importantes por fornecer informações sobre a capacidade de desenvolvimento da floresta. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar as variações florístico-estruturais do componente arbóreo regenerativo ao longo de um gradiente topográfico, em uma área ecotonal entre Floresta Ombrófila Mista e Floresta Estacional Decidual em Santa Catarina. No fragmento florestal, foram instaladas 30 unidades amostrais, onde todos os indivíduos arbóreos regenerantes foram identificados. As unidades amostrais foram distribuídas em três setores ao longo de um gradiente topográfico: setor inferior, intermediário e superior. Para a comunidade como um todo e para cada setor, foram determinados a abundância, riqueza, índice de Shannon (H') e equabilidade de Pielou (J). A organização florístico-estrutural da comunidade foi verificada por meio do Escalonamento Multidimensional Não-Métrico (NMDS), análise de espécies indicadoras e Análise de Variância Multivariada Permutacional (PERMANOVA). Diferenças de abundância e riqueza entre os setores foram avaliadas, respectivamente, pela Análise de Kruskal-Wallis, com teste múltiplo não paramétrico, e rarefação. Houve baixa densidade de indivíduos regenerante inferior e 241 (36.300 ind.ha-1) no intermediário]. Observou-se que a composição florístico-estrutural foi variável entre as posições topográficas (p < 0,001), sendo o setor inferior o mais distinto dos demais e com maior número de espécies indicadoras.

ABSTRACT Studies on the natural regeneration of tree species communities are important for providing information on forest development capacity. This research aimed to evaluate the floristic-structural variations of the tree regenerative component along a topographic gradient in an ecotonal area between a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest and a Deciduous Seasonal Forest of Santa Catarina, Brazil. 30 sampling units of which all regenerating tree species individuals have been identified were allocated in the forest fragment. The sampling units were then distributed along a topographic gradient into lower, intermediate and upper sectors. Abundance, richness, Shannon's diversity index (H') and Pielou's evenness index (J) have been determined for both the whole community as for each sector. The community floristic-structural organization was verified by the means of the non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), the indicator species analysis and the permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA). Abundance differences among sectors were analyzed through the Kruskal-Wallis test with post hoc multiple nonparametric test while richness differences were verified through rarefaction. Regenerating individuals density in the upper sector [129 (21.300 ind.ha-1)] was lower than both in the lower [401 (63.800 ind.ha-1)] and intermediary [241 (36.300 ind.ha-1)] sectors. There was variation in the floristic-structural composition (p < 0.001) among topographic positions; the lower sector was the most distinct one and showed the highest number of indicator species.

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION:While no single factor is sufficient to guarantee the success of influenza vaccine programs, knowledge of the levels of immunity in local populations is critical. Here, we analyzed influenza immunity in a population from Southern Brazil, a region with weather conditions that are distinct from those in the rest of country, where influenza infections are endemic, and where greater than 50% of the population is vaccinated annually.METHODS:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 40 individuals. Of these, 20 had received the H1N1 vaccine, while the remaining 20 were unvaccinated against the disease. Cells were stimulated in vitro with the trivalent post-pandemic influenza vaccine or with conserved major histocompatibility complex I (MHC I) peptides derived from hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. Cell viability was then analyzed by [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide)]-based colorimetric assay (MTT), and culture supernatants were assayed for helper T type 1 (Th1) and Th2-specific cytokine levels.RESULTS:Peripheral blood lymphocytes from vaccinated, but not unvaccinated, individuals exhibited significant proliferation in vitro in the presence of a cognate influenza antigen. After culturing with vaccine antigens, cells from vaccinated individuals produced similar levels of interleukin (IL)-10 and interferon (IFN)-γ, while those from unvaccinated individuals produced higher levels of IFN-γ than of IL-10.CONCLUSIONS:Our data indicate that peripheral blood lymphocytes from vaccinated individuals are stimulated upon encountering a cognate antigen, but did not support the hypothesis that cross-reactive responses related to previous infections can ameliorate the immune response. Moreover, monitoring IL-10 production in vaccinated individuals could comprise a valuable tool for predicting disease evolution.