Abstract Vascular epiphytes contribute significantly to the biodiversity of tropical forests. We aimed to identify the epiphyte species occurring in the Muriqui Trail at Serra do Brigadeiro State Park (SBSP), a priority area for Atlantic forest conservation in southeastern Brazil. We selected 10 phorophytes, from which we sampled epiphytes and took light intensity measurements at three strata: up to 4 m, 4 to 8 m, and above 8 m. Phorophytes represented eight species, eight genera, and six families. We found 25 epiphytic species from 17 genera and nine families. Ferns showed highest richness, especially Polypodiaceae. We report herein important data on epiphyte diversity in eastern Minas Gerais state (Zona da Mata), including the occurrence of species rarely cited in surveys. Fomenting local conservation along with environmental education may be pivotal for counteracting anthropic pressure on SBSP.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of filter cake biochar on the chemical and microbiological attributes of a dystrophic red-yellow latosol cultivated with macaúba (Acrocomia aculeata), araçá (Psidium firmum) and cajuzinho do cerrado (Anacardium humile), species native to the Cerrado. Thus, the responses of soil attributes were evaluated 120 days after transplanting the seedlings using four doses of biochar (1%, 2%, 4% and 8% v/v) and two control treatments (one with soil correction and fertilization and the other with no fertilization). The attributes evaluated were pH, contents of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, CTC, total and microbial organic carbon and nitrogen, and C:N ratio. For the soils cultivated with the three Cerrado species, the 1% dose of biochar and mineral fertilization were the treatments that best conditioned the soil during the cultivation period and promoted a better response of the chemical and microbiological attributes of the soil.

Abstract The rising popularity of various types of wood panels and the advances in manufacturing technology have increased the uses of wood. The bonding of fibers and particles to form panels, however, involves impregnation with resins, such as phenolic adhesives, which delivery desirable quality to the panels due to their insolubility in water, resistance against heat among others, but are also recognized as carcinogenic to humans (IARC, 2004). This study involved measuring the levels of formaldehyde, remaining in wood panels after use and disposal. It was initially evaluated new panels and then examined degraded ones. The results demonstrated significant volatilization of formaldehyde during the degradation process of the panels, with losses of 74.83% for MDF and 85.71% for medium density particleboards (MDP). The results demonstrated significant volatilization of formaldehyde during the degradation process of the panels, with losses of 74.83% for MDF and 85.71% for medium density particleboards (MDP).

Abstract This work aimed to evaluate the energy quality of wood and charcoal obtained from the stem and root of the genus Eucalyptus spp. From the wood, the physical, chemical and energetic properties were evaluated. For the charcoal produced in ovens of the carbonization furnaces model in the industry and produced in a muffle furnace, the physical, chemical and energetic properties were evaluated. Based on the analysis of technological properties, wood from the root has higher basic density (731.45 kg m-3) and lignin content (26.44%), however, the fixed carbon content and higher calorific value of the root (17.54% and 4547.75 kcal kg-1) were lower than for the stem wood (21.36% and 4730.82 kcal kg-1). It is recommended to use the wood from the root, both for direct burning and for the production of charcoal. The charcoal obtained in the industry, compared to that produced in muffle, presented higher energy quality.

Abstract Temperature may affect the mobilization and hydrolysis of storage reserves for energy production during seed germination. This study investigated germination performance and reserve mobilization in Dalbergia spruceana Benth. seeds incubation at 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40°C. The germination process was favored by incubation at 25 to 35°C and negatively affected at 20 and 40°C. At 35°C there reduction in germination speed, however, without significantly compromising the final germination percentage. The results showed that lipids and proteins are the predominant metabolites in D. spruceana seeds. Mobilization of soluble sugars was highest at 25 and 30°C. At 20 and 40°C, mobilization occurred more slowly, negatively affecting germination. This finding, combined with changes in lipid and protein reserves, suggests that lipid and protein hydrolysis products were used for starch synthesis. Reserve mobilization patterns in D. spruceana embryos were influenced by germination temperature, with the highest utilization efficiency occurring between 25 and 35°C.

Abstract The objective of this study was to carry out an inventory of the vascular plant species of Serra do Jatobá in the municipality of Milagres, Bahia. The survey included species of all habits and respective degrees of endemism, phytogeographic domains and threat categories, to contribute data about the flora of the Bahia semiarid region to enable management and preservation of species, to support the future creation of conservation units in Bahia inselbergs. We recorded 317 species, 208 genera and 71 families, with predominance of species belonging to the Bromeliaceae, Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Asteraceae families. We identified 53 endemic species of the Caatinga, and 18 exclusive to the Atlantic Forest. Of these species, 24 are endemic to Bahia and five species are considered vulnerable. The floristic survey of Serra do Jatobá demonstrated high biodiversity, reinforcing the importance of ongoing research in the area for the implementation of a conservation unit.

Abstract Soil and water bioengineering (SWBE) is a feasible, economical and ecologically friendly alternative to restore the riparian forest areas affected by the Brumadinho mining tailings dam rupture. We evaluated the vegetative propagation capacity by cuttings and initial development of nine native riparian species of the Paraobepa River for use in SWBE techniques. From the results it is possible to separate the species into two distinct groups, namely those that can resprout and produce roots from their cuttings (group 1: Acnistus arborescens (L.) Schltdl., Croton urucurana Baill., Gymnanthes schottiana Müll.Arg., Indigofera suffruticosa Mill. and Sesbania virgata (Cav.) Poir.) and are suitable for use as live cuttings in SWBE techniques; and those which were only able to produce shoots (group 2: Casearia decandra Jacq., Chrysophyllum marginatum (Hook. & Arn.) Radlk., Inga vera Willd. and Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi) and should only be used in seedling form to increase the diversity of the interventions.

Abstract Wood is a common natural polymeric material with hydrophilicity and low biostability with a limited service life. The article considers the issue of using a multicomponent composition (used motor oil, rosin, paraffin) for impregnating birch wood and giving it increased water resistance, bio- and dimensional stability. The possibility of recycling the used impregnated wood to obtain a biochar adsorbent was shown. The impregnating composition was characterized by the FTIR method to assess the possibility of interaction between the functional groups of the impregnating composition and wood. Moisture and water absorption decreased by more than 4 and 6 times. Volumetric swelling decreased by 57% relative to untreated wood, the effectiveness against swelling after 30 days was 46%. The high efficiency of the impregnating composition against the wood biodegradation has been established. The method of micro-X-ray tomography determined a high degree of filling of the anatomical structures of wood.

Abstract The Amazon Rainforest presents intense pressure from agricultural and cattle farming activities on its forest remnants, which promotes forest fragmentation. The present study aimed to quantify structural changes in the Amazon Rainforest landscape in the state of Tocantins, Brazil, that occurred between 1985 and 2020 using Mapbiomas data and landscape metrics. MAPBIOMS images were used to delimit forest fragments and size classes. Landscape metrics were estimated using the Fragstats® software. In the state of Tocantins, the Amazon Rainforest, grassland, and savanna showed a fragmentation process between 1985 and 2020, with a reduction in their total area and the number of fragments, with less rounded shapes and loss of core areas, in need of environmental policies to protect forest remnants and interrupt the process of Forest fragmentation, especially the Amazon Rainforest.

Abstract The Amazon Rainforest presents intense pressure from agricultural and cattle farming activities on its forest remnants, which promotes forest fragmentation. The present study aimed to quantify structural changes in the Amazon Rainforest landscape in the state of Tocantins, Brazil, that occurred between 1985 and 2020 using Mapbiomas data and landscape metrics. MAPBIOMS images were used to delimit forest fragments and size classes. Landscape metrics were estimated using the Fragstats® software. In the state of Tocantins, the Amazon Rainforest, grassland, and savanna showed a fragmentation process between 1985 and 2020, with a reduction in their total area and the number of fragments, with less rounded shapes and loss of core areas, in need of environmental policies to protect forest remnants and interrupt the process of Forest fragmentation, especially the Amazon Rainforest.

Abstract Temperature may affect the mobilization and hydrolysis of storage reserves for energy production during seed germination. This study investigated germination performance and reserve mobilization in Dalbergia spruceana Benth. seeds incubation at 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40°C. The germination process was favored by incubation at 25 to 35°C and negatively affected at 20 and 40°C. At 35°C there reduction in germination speed, however, without significantly compromising the final germination percentage. The results showed that lipids and proteins are the predominant metabolites in D. spruceana seeds. Mobilization of soluble sugars was highest at 25 and 30°C. At 20 and 40°C, mobilization occurred more slowly, negatively affecting germination. This finding, combined with changes in lipid and protein reserves, suggests that lipid and protein hydrolysis products were used for starch synthesis. Reserve mobilization patterns in D. spruceana embryos were influenced by germination temperature, with the highest utilization efficiency occurring between 25 and 35°C.

Abstract Lecythis tuyrana is an endemic tree in the Magdalena River basin in Colombia with unexplored forestry, nutraceutical, medicinal and nutritional potential. In the nursery, two experiments on the production of L. tuyrana seedling were evaluated. In the first experiment, three container volumes and the absence or presence (3 g L-1) of a controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) were evaluated. The use of tube trays (700 cm3) and CRF significantly increased the height, biomass, and Dickson quality index of the seedlings (between 28 to 61 %) compared to those not fertilized. In the second experiment the light acclimation of seedlings was evaluated in two environments: full sun at 50% and 100%. There were no changes in photosynthetic rates when the seedlings were kept in the shade for longer, but there was a lesser accumulation of biomass. A light intensity of approximately 1 600 µmol m-2 s-1 is considered optimal for L. tuyrana seedling.

Abstract The degradation of wood caused by termite infestations is widely recognized as a substantial concern. Therefore, the development of alternative, environmentally-friendly preservation of wood is needed to reduce environmental pollution. The study aimed to analyze the chemical properties of vinegar from medang wood (Cinnamomum sp.) and assess its effectiveness as a termicidal activity against Coptotermes curvignathus. Wood vinegar is made by the pyrolysis method. Pyrolysis is carried out by inserting of air-dried medang wood particles into a pyrolysis reactor and was heated up to the desired temperature of 370, 400, 430°C with the pyrolysis time was 180 minutes. Wood vinegars were tested at various concentrations (2.0-10.0%, v/v) against C. curvignathus in a no-choice test. Result shows that an 8% concentration was required to achieve 100% mortality against C. curvignathus at a 430°C pyrolysis temperature. The lowest mass loss of treated filter paper, 11.99%, was obtained with a 430°C - 10.0% combination.

Abstract We compared sampling techniques in a managed native forest in Paragominas, Pará, Brazil. Our goal in this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using Double Sampling (DS) and Sampling with Partial Replacement (SPR), when compared to Continuous Forest Inventory (CFI), to estimate the wood stock for trees with DBH ≥ 20 cm in a managed forest. In our results, DS had the best volume prediction, generating a sampling error of 5.20% (11.48 m³ ha-1) on the second occasion 3.86% (8.78 m³ ha-1). The average volume increment, estimated for the forest in the monitored period (2014-2016) was 6.88 m³ ha-1, with a relative sampling error of 63.09%. Therefore, as an alternative and of low cost, we suggest using DS in successive forest inventories in monitoring areas of forest resources in the Brazilian Amazon.

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.