Aim Riparian zones are highly complex ecosystems, located on the banks of water bodies, with a fundamental role in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services (ES). This study aimed to systematize the knowledge about studies on ES in riparian zones, emphasizing methodological aspects and pointing out gaps and opportunities to reinforce their importance. Methods The study was carried out based on literature review data over a period of 21 years (2000-2020), using Scopus and Web of Science databases. In the first stage, aspects of bibliometrics were analyzed, as well as the countries that published the most on the subject. In the second stage, the methodological aspects were analyzed (with emphasis on the integrated analysis of multiple ES, which looked at the landscape, adopted multiscale or carried out economic valuation). Results From 2000 to 2020, 6,969 publications were obtained from Scopus and 16,498 from Web of Science, applying the search terms riparian buffer or similar and 371 publications were obtained from Scopus and 1,512 from Web of Science applying ecosystem service and riparian zones or similar terms, with the USA being the country that most published about ES in riparian zones. From a total of 219 publications selected, the ES category most studied in riparian zones was Regulation (65%), followed by Support (16%), Provision (8%) and Cultural (2%). Publications that studied three or more ES corresponded to 9% of the analyzed publications. Approximately 10% of publications used methodological approaches with multiple ESs in an integrated way. Less than 10% of publications focused on economic valuation. Gaps and opportunities were identified concerning the relevance and methods for evaluating and valuing ESs in riparian zones. Conclusions Few studies used methodological approaches integrating different ES. That calls attention to the need to carry out more studies that analyze ES in riparian zones using an integrated and multiscale approach because that is how the components of the ecosystem interact and provide joint responses that may assist in decision making.

The South American Cerrado, the largest savanna of the Americas and the world's most tree-biodiverse, is critically endangered, with just 8% protected and more than half deforested. However, the extent of its tree diversity and abundance remains poorly quantified. Using a unique biome-wide eco-floristic dataset with 222 one-hectare plots, we estimate the Cerrado has ~1605 tree species and has extreme hyperdominance, with fewer than 2% (30 species) accounting for half of all trees. A single family, Vochysiaceae, represents 17% of all trees, and the most abundant species, Qualea parviflora, accounts for 1 in 14 trees. In contrast, 63% of the species are rare, with fewer than 100 trees across all plots. Remote sensing and spatial modelling suggest the Cerrado has lost 24 billion trees since 1985, equivalent to three times the Earth's human population. We estimate up to 800 tree species may remain undetected in Cerrado ecosystems and could face extinction in a few decades due to deforestation. This hyperdominance parallels patterns in Amazonian forests and highlights risks both biomes face for species loss due to fragmentation, deforestation, and land-use change. Our findings highlight the Cerrado’s critical but undervalued role in global biodiversity, its vulnerabilities, and the urgent need for conservation to avoid irreversible species and biome loss.

Native species seedling growth in the ecological restoration of riparian forest

The objective of this work was to estimate the repeatability coefficients of mangaba (Hancornia speciosa) fruit traits, in order to define the number of fruit needed for an accurate selection of superior genotypes, as well as to conjecture about the nature of the phenotypic variation of these traits. Evaluations were performed for 160 fruit of 16 genotypes from two native H. speciosa populations of Goiás Velho and Padre Bernardo, in the state of Goiás, Brazil. Repeatability was estimated by the analysis of variance, principal component analyses based on covariance and on the correlation matrix, and structural analysis based on the correlation matrix. Repeatability estimates for fruit weight, diameter, and length, as well as seed number and weight, were of low magnitude, from 0.02 to 0.62, indicating low heritability. Repeatability estimates for ºBrix, titratable acidity, and ºBrix/acidity ratio were higher, from 0.34 to 0.91, indicating a low to potentially moderate heritability. The number of fruit for an effective selection of the best genotypes for titratable acidity, ºBrix, ºBrix/acidity ratio, and fruit weight is four for a 0.85 accuracy level. However, seven fruit would allow 0.90 accuracy for the same traits, and 0.85 accuracy for fruit length and diameter. The number and weight of seed per fruit are not effective for predicting the real value of a genotype.

Most of the studies that analyze the behavior of tree competition approach even-aged plantations. Therefore, it is possible to notice a lack of this kind of information regarding natural forests with high biodiversity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the competition in a fragment of Semi-Deciduous Seasonal Forest, according to the ecologic group, light depending and non-depending groups for all species sampled in the fragment. The Distance Independent Competition Index and Semi-Distance Independent Competition Index were applied in this study. The basal area in larger trees index, without the radius of influence, was the most efficient to analyze how the competition affects the growth of the specimens in the studied fragment. It was stated that evaluating the competition per ecologic group is more efficient. The results confirm that the forest competition cannot be determined by considering only a fixed radius of influence that embraces the neighbors and the subject tree.

This study evaluated the survival of seedlings of native species of Cerrado - Brazil and its potential as an indicator of ecological restoration of riparian forests. The factors affecting survival were also analyzed. The experiment consisted of three planting models with three replications (T1 = nucleation: Anderson model; T2 = nucleation: Anderson model + artificial perches; T3 = filling line and diversity line). The influence of factors such as leaf herbivory, stem herbivory, absence of leaves (predation, dehydration or malnutrition) and sprouting/regrowth survival were assessed by cluster analysis. The survival rates ranged from 58.6 to 100% (average 73.6%). Out of eighteen species, fifteen showed survival rate above 60%, and could be potentially used in the restoration of degraded areas. The hierarchical clustering using survival efficiency and biotic factors resulted in the distinction of two groups of species with high frequency of leaves and stem herbivory, differing statistically (test "t", p < 0.05) in the sprouting and regrowth. The survival efficiency shows potential of being used as a restoration indicator.