Solutions for ecological and economic problems posed by Hakea sericea invasions rely on scientific knowledge. We conducted a systematic review to analyze and synthesize the past and current scientific knowledge concerning H. sericea invasion processes and mechanisms, as well as monitoring and control techniques. We used ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and CAPES Periodicals to look for publications on the ecological and environmental factors involved in H. sericea establishment (question 1); responses of H. sericea to fire in native and invaded ecosystems (question 2); and H. sericea monitoring and control methods (question 3). We identified 207 publications, 47.4% of which related to question 1, mainly from Australia and South Africa, with an increasing trend in the number of publications on monitoring and modeling. The traits identified in our systematic review, such as adaptations to dystrophic environments, drought resistance, sclerophylly, low transpiration rates, high nutrient use efficiency, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rates, strong serotiny, proteoid roots and high post-fire seed survival and seedling recruitment, highlighted that H. sericea is a successful invader species due to its long adaptive history mediated by an arsenal of ecophysiological mechanisms that place it at a superior competitive level, especially in fire-prone ecosystems. Integrated cost-effective control methods in selected areas and the incorporation of information on the temporal invasion dynamics can significantly improve invasion control and mitigate H. sericea impacts while maintaining the supply of ecosystem services in invaded areas.

Introduction: Restingas are coastal plain ecosystems located along Eastern Brazil, corresponding to about 5 000 km. The restinga vegetation is associated with the Atlantic rainforest biome and comprises four distinct main formation zones: coastal grasslands, shrublands, open-forests and marsh zones. Especially due to coastal urbanization, this is a threatened ecosystem that, through its different shrub formations, exhibits a unique mosaic as a result of the vegetation distribution in nuclei of different covering, physiognomy and floristic composition. Objective: We aimed to characterize the above and belowground composition of a conserved, non-flooded, open-scrub, nuclei (patches of bushes) formation of restinga in Linhares, ES, southeastern Brazil. Methods: The vegetation survey was conducted using the line intercept method. Diameter and height of the first six nuclei were measured in five transects separated by 50 m, totaling 30 nuclei up to 350 m away from the shore line. The phytosociology and Shannon Index of the aboveground vegetation community were calculated. In the same 30 nuclei, leaf litter and topsoil layer (15 x 15 x 10 cm) samples were collected to survey the viable seed bank, which was later placed in a greenhouse for germination and seedling identification. The Sørensen Similarity index (SSi) was used to compare the floristic composition between the leaf litter and topsoil layer seed banks. Nuclei volume and number of species were calculated as well. Results: In the aboveground vegetation, 54 plant species belonging to 32 families were identified, totaling 1 098 individuals. The nuclei showed a diversity (H') of 3.08 nats, and an average diameter of 11.5 m (s = 9.1), area of 526.4 m2 (s = 1 081.7), and height of 2.9 m (s = 1.1). Davilla flexuosa, followed by Smilax rufescens, presented the highest IVI (Importance Value Index). A total of 1 839 seedlings from 32 species and 19 families were identified in the seed bank. Enydra sessilis (Asteraceae) had the highest seed density (544), while the family with highest species richness was Cyperaceae. A low similarity between the vegetation surveyed and the seed bank composition was found (only 5 species in common, SSi = 0.10). Conclusions: The results indicate that a post-disturbance early community, established from the seed bank, would have a substantially different species composition, but with other potential species to restore vegetation over the long-term succession.

A caracterização morfométrica de bacias hidrográficas fornece informações importantes para o planejamento da conservação da água e demonstra a susceptibilidade à erosão e a capacidade de uso do solo. O objetivo do estudo foi caracterizar as propriedades morfométricas da bacia do Rio Itajaí (SC), utilizando-se de dados SRTM e ambiente SIG, por meio da obtenção de parâmetros geométricos, de relevo e de rede de drenagem. Os dados evidenciaram que a bacia hidrográfica é de 5.ª ordem e apresenta forma alongada com relevo ondulado. O estudo apontou baixa capacidade e densidade de drenagem, apresentando um padrão dendrítico, com poucas ramificações. A bacia compreende canais transicionais, regulares e irregulares, o que indica media taxa de transporte de sedimentos. A análise dos dados mostrou os atributos da bacia diante da dinâmica ambiental, permitindo inferir que a bacia do Rio Itajaí é pouco sujeita a enchentes. Entretanto existe a necessidade de estudos complementares das suas microbacias para verificar efetivamente o seu potencial quanto à ocorrência de enchentes, inundações ou alagamentos.

Ecological restoration has become an important complementary practice to protect natural resources and preserve biodiversity. However, native species may be used in restoration programs in ways that do not optimize their performance. This research evaluated the survival and to model the initial growth of 15 native tree species planted in “filling” and “diversity” lines in the post-planting phase of a restoration experiment in the subtropics of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We measured survival rate (%) one year after planting and collar diameter (mm), total height (m), crown projection area (m²) and crown volume (m³) in the first 48 months after planting. Growth modeling for each variable and species was based on the non-linear mathematical Logistic, Gompertz, and Chapman-Richards models. Model selection for each variable/species was supported by the Akaike Information Criterion, standard error of the estimate, and coefficient of determination. The highest survival rates were reported for Cordia americana, Gochnatia polymorpha, Inga uruguensis, Peltophorum dubium, Prunus sellowii e Zanthoxylum rhoifolium (91.7%) and for Solanum mauritianum (90.3%). The species with faster growth were, by increasing order, Mimosa scabrella, Trema micrantha, Solanum mauritianum and Croton urucurana. With a better understanding of the initial developmental potential of tree species, it is possible to increase the species and functional diversity of the filling group. There was no single model capable of describing the variables analyzed and different models were needed to describe different characteristics and species.

A Araucaria angustifolia Bertol. é uma espécie nativa do Brasil que, devido a ação antrópica ao longo de vários anos, a colocou sob ameaça de extinção. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a variabilidade genética de Araucaria angustifolia com base em variáveis qualitativas e quantitativas de crescimento inicial em teste de procedências e progênies, selecionando-se aquelas com maior presença de superioridade como subsídio para a formação de pomares de sementes. Um teste de procedência e progênies foi instalado em casa de vegetação, utilizando-se as árvores matrizes de Guarapuava-PR e Palmeira-SC, de acordo com suas características biométricas e morfométricas. Cada matriz recebeu código de controle. As árvores matrizes foram avaliadas de acordo com as características dendrométricas e sanitárias, bem como as pinhas colhidas, quanto ao peso, volume e sanidade. Foram selecionadas 14 matrizes de Palmeira-SC e 10 matrizes de Guarapuava-PR. As pinhas de cada matriz selecionada foram avaliadas utilizando variáveis quantitativas. As sementes dessas pinhas, de acordo com a árvore matricial, foram separadas e utilizadas no experimento para avaliar a emergência das sementes e o crescimento inicial entre os genótipos. Todas as análises estatísticas foram realizadas pelos softwares GENES® e R Studio. Verificou-se que existe variabilidade genética entre as procedências e progênies para a maioria dos caracteres quantitativos estudados para a espécie e, portanto, a possibilidade de obter ganhos através da seleção entre e dentro das procedências. A seleção entre e dentro das procedências sugere a possibilidade de alcançar ganhos genéticos significativos, especialmente para caracteres de peso e diâmetro de pinhas, peso e número de sementes por pinha e crescimento das árvores.

There is a huge lack of researches that evaluate the nutritional limits in tree species used in urban forestry, especially in terms of micronutrients. This study aimed to establish limits and range of micronutrients levels for the proper development of tree species utilized in urban forestry. The study was conducted in the city of Santa Maria-RS-Brazil. Through forest inventory, 23 forest species present in urban forest were selected, and 05 vegetative branches of each tree were collected, in which the contents of B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn were analyzed. Ranges of micronutrients’ contents were developed for class limits criteria. Nutritional problems were detected for B, Cu and Zn in G. robusta and S. cumini, indicating a need of fertilization and management of these trees. The levels of Mn were within an adequate range only for the species C. illinoensis and H. chrysotrichus. The contents of B were higher than the level considered adequate for H. chrysotrichusand M. nigra. The rates of Fe showed high levels for E. japonica, H. chrysotrichusand S. babylonica. The estimated nutritional limits enable a greater control in the classification of the results for each tree species utilized in urban forestry.