Expedition finds new species in the Upper Tocantins Basin PAN Territory

By Verônica Marques

During an expedition carried out between August 5 and 9 in the Chapada dos Veadeiros, in Goiás, researchers made unprecedented botanical discoveries. Among them was the identification of four species of Mimosa, as yet undescribed and endemic to the municipality of Cavalcante (GO).

The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Research Institute (JBRJ), through the National Center for Flora Conservation (CNCFlora), is carrying out botanical expeditions in the Cerrado, with the aim of exploring the territory and obtaining more information about endangered species and reducing existing knowledge gaps. The Cerrado is the biome with one of the greatest biodiversities in the world and unfortunately it has been under intense pressure from deforestation, caused mainly by the expansion of agriculture. For this reason, botanical expeditions are valuable tools for reducing this lack of knowledge about species and making new discoveries.

These expeditions are made possible by funds from the GEF Pro-Species: Everyone against extinction project and are part of a set of actions in the National Action Plan for the Conservation of the Endangered Flora of the Upper Tocantins Basin (PAN Upper Tocantins Basin), aimed at fulfilling Objective 1, which deals with “Generating and systematizing knowledge about target species and their environments for conservation and sustainable use”. The action seeks to carry out scientific expeditions to collect botanical material and map populations of endangered species (especially endemic to GO and DF) and species with insufficient data (DD) in localities of known occurrence and in areas with knowledge gaps in the PAN territory.

From August 5 to 9, 2024, the expedition was led by PAN Action collaborator Dr. Marcelo Fragomeni Simon, a researcher at Embrapa-Cenargen, along with his team: Bianca Schindler, a doctoral student, and Tawane Rodrigues dos Santos, a master's student, both from the University of Brasilia, as well as Valdeci Ferreira Gomes, a technician at Embrapa-Cenargen. The expedition yielded impressive results. The team collected 36 species, including 6 threatened with extinction, 4 of which are conservation targets of the PAN Upper Tocantins Basin. The researchers also collected fruit and seeds from endangered species, with the aim of carrying out propagation and conservation experiments in the laboratory.

The expedition also conducted population studies to assess whether these populations are remaining healthy over the years. Marcelo and his team carried out this sampling for two endangered species, whose data will be fundamental for a better understanding of their abundance and population structure in the wild, thus contributing to their conservation.

Regarding the results obtained, Simon says: “We were able to make a series of interesting records, as well as collect seeds that will serve as a backup for the long-term conservation of endangered species. We were also able to verify the importance of preserving areas of native vegetation on private properties for the survival of the Cerrado's threatened flora.”

Marcio Verdi, coordinator of the PAN Alto Tocantins Basin and project coordinator for Strategies for the Conservation of Endangered Flora (NuEC/CNCFlora/JBRJ) adds: “The results of this expedition go far beyond collecting botanical material and mapping the populations of endangered species, as planned in this action. Marcelo and the team collected data that fills gaps in scientific knowledge and meets the products and results expected in other PAN actions, such as those on population studies, characterization of germination parameters and assessment of the risk of extinction to support the preparation of the Red List of the Flora of Goiás.”

The team came back enthusiastic about the results, recognizing the importance and relevance of the advances made for the Cerrado - a biome so impacted by farming and cattle raising, unnatural fires and still with a vast biodiversity that is little known. The group intends to continue researching and collecting in the region, expanding knowledge about the target species, in collaboration with other PAN partners, with the aim of developing conservation strategies and supporting the creation of public policies.

PAN Upper Tocantins Basin

The Upper Tocantins Basin PAN was formalized in JBRJ Ordinance No. 15, of June 6, 2023, and will run until 2028. The aim is to expand conservation measures for target species, environments and the maintenance of ecosystem services over 5 years, with the involvement of society as a whole.

The plan establishes 24 conservation actions, divided into four specific objectives, covering topics such as Research and Monitoring, Training and Communication, Management and Conservation, and Public Policies, with a focus on 98 species of flora, 14 of which are classified in the “Critically Endangered” (CR) category, 58 in the “Endangered” (EN) category and 26 in the “Vulnerable” (VU) category. There are also 29 species classified in the “Near Threatened” (NT) category and 15 in the “Insufficient Data” (DD) category. The PAN territory covers part of the state of Goiás and the Federal District.

The Upper Tocantins Basin PAN is coordinated by the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Research Institute (JBRJ), through the Project Coordination Center Strategies for the Conservation of Endangered Flora (NuEC) of the National Center for Flora Conservation (CNCFlora). The plan is monitored and followed up by the Technical Advisory Group (GAT) set up by JBRJ Personnel Ordinance No. 66 of June 6, 2023. The coordination and execution of conservation actions is carried out by more than 100 collaborators representing institutions from different sectors of society.

For more information on the Upper Tocantins Basin PAN, visit the link.