The mosaic landscape composition of forest fragments located on high slopes, shallow soils hinder ecological interactions and the survival of plant species. This study aimed to show, in an environment with these characteristics, the effect of the environmental gradient relating the soil, slope, and vegetation of a fragment of the Montane Seasonal Semideciduous Forest. The forest structure was sampled in 12 continuous rectangular plots, with 30 X 20m, totaling 0.72ha. Soil samples were taken by drilling every 20m along the hydrographic divisor and opening of three trenches used as soil sampling sites for in situ determination of soil color, horizon, and nutrients. Horizons were classified as O/A/Cr in the altered rock with a marked presence of gravels, and the soil was classified as Litholic Neosol. The area has a steep slope, from 18.05% to 36.99%. Linear regression analysis indicated an opposite pattern for species richness in relation to slope and a positive relationship between slope and the number of standing dead individuals. Species richness was also positively related to the distance from forest edges. The evaluation evidenced the strong influence of slope and human activities in forest remnant as common to several high-altitude remnants, and small conservation actions can guarantee their maintenance.

The phytotreatment technique, which has never been used to treat emerging compounds, is used in this work to measure the phytoextraction of octocrylene (OC) in three concentrations (200, 400, and 600 μg/L of OC) by Salvinia biloba Raddi. The species proved to be a phytoextractor by accumulating OC in floating leaves at concentrations of 1,500,000 μg/kg in treatment 200 and 1,050,000 in 600 μg/L of OC. Chlorophyll synthesis was affected at all OC concentrations, especially 400 μg/L, with a chlorophyll a/b ratio of less than 1. Enzymatic activity responded to the contaminant: CAT and APX are inhibited in the submerged portions after 48 h, staying below 2.0E⁻⁶ μmol/min/μg of protein. GPOX was totally inhibited during the experiment, and SOD remains active at 200 and 600 μg/L. The cytogenotoxic effects of OC to confirm phytoextraction were evaluated by globally regulated tests with Allium cepa bulbs and germinal bulbs in Lactuca sativa and Avena fatua every 48 h. These tests showed that after 72 h of phytoextraction, the medium was no longer cytogenotoxic and the seeds germinated above 30%, confirming the phytoextractor capacity of S. biloba. Thus, we can affirm that S. biloba can be used in the phytotreatment of aquatic environments contaminated with OC.