Notícias
Researchers find endangered plants in the PAN Upper Tocantins Basin
Researchers found at least 10 endangered plant species during the scientific expedition carried out as part of the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Conservation of the Endangered Flora of the Upper Tocantins Basin (PAN Upper Tocantins Basin), as part of the Pro-Species Project: Everyone against extinction. These records are important for confirming the occurrence of the species and verifying in situ the vulnerable situations in which they find themselves in the territory.
The expedition took place between July 22 and 27, 2024 and covered the Mantiqueira and Chapada dos Veadeiros regions, in the Cerrado domain of Goiás. It was led by Marcelo Trovó Lopes de Oliveira, a researcher and professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and the National School of Tropical Botany of the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Research Institute (ENBT/JBRJ). Post-doctoral student Pedro Henrique Cardoso (JBRJ) and post-graduate students Wellerson Picanço Leite and Mylena Cabrini (UFRJ) also took part.
- PAN Upper Tocantins Basin field expedition team. Photo: Marcelo Trovó
One of the highlights of the expedition was the recording of the species Paepalanthus longiciliatus Trovó, described for science by the researcher himself. This plant, a small herb from the evergreen family (Eriocaulaceae), is found only on the banks of the road linking the municipalities of Niquelândia and Colinas do Sul, in the state of Goiás. The plant is classified as “Critically Endangered” (CR) by the National Center for Flora Conservation (CNCFlora/JBRJ), and is considered a CR Lacuna species by the Pro-Species Project, as it is not protected by any conservation instrument (protection gap).
“We found a healthy population, with very beautiful plants, despite the fact that it occurs on the side of the road,” said a surprised Marcelo Trovó. The researcher's surprise is due to the fact that this is a new record of the same population from which the type material (plant sample used to describe the species) was collected more than twelve years ago. “I was delighted to find it and to be able to improve its representation in herbaria. We collected DNA material to study the genetic structure of the population and try to improve the plant's conservation status. I was very pleased to find this plant again,” said Trovó. Another noteworthy find was the collection of Stachytarpheta glazioviana S.Atkins (Verbenaceae), a beautiful black-flowered plant, also classified as “Endangered” (EN) by CNCFlora/JBRJ due to the loss of its habitat to grazing and agriculture.
- Two of the endangered species in the Upper Tocantins Basin PAN: Paepalanthus longiciliatus (left) and Stachytarpheta glazioviana (right).
- Photos: André Moreira and Marcelo Trovó
In addition to collecting samples of the threatened species, records were made of other species that occur in the PAN territory and which are categorized as “Insufficient Data” (DD). Three new species were also collected and are now being studied by researchers to confirm their identity, describe them and publish them in a scientific journal. This information not only enriches our understanding of the Cerrado's biodiversity, but also reinforces the need for more effective conservation strategies. “The collection was surprising, we found a lot of flowers,” said Trovó. According to him, the expedition may have been favored by the region's altered rainfall regime.
- Serra da Mantiqueira and Morro da Baleia regions, in the territory of the PAN Upper Tocantins Basin. Photos: Marcelo Trovó
Marcio Verdi, coordinator of the Upper Tocantins Basin PAN and project coordinator for Strategies for the Conservation of Endangered Flora (NuEC/CNCFlora/JBRJ), highlights the importance of the expedition for the plan: “This activity is linked to the specific objective that deals with research and monitoring, more precisely the implementation of Action 1.1, which provides for scientific expeditions to map populations of the species covered by the Upper Tocantins Basin PAN. This is the basis for implementing the other actions in the plan, since we need to know where these species are within the territory, what their situation is in the face of degradation and loss of their environments.”
Verdi also emphasizes the importance of the expedition's results: “We always include an action like this in the PANs, because we need to go into the field to collect data and basic information about these threatened species. In just a few days in the field they found some of the PAN's threatened plants, including the CR Lacuna species and three other species new to science! In addition, they identified that this CR Lacuna species is in very critical protection situations, being threatened mainly by the presence of fat grass and fire. We need to act immediately to prevent them from becoming extinct.
The team intends to continue researching and collecting in the territory to expand knowledge about the target species, together with other PAN collaborators, in order to develop conservation strategies and support the creation of public policies.
PAN Bacia do Alto Tocantins
The National Action Plan for the Conservation of the Endangered Flora of the Upper Tocantins Basin (PAN Bacia do Alto Tocantins) was formalized in JBRJ Ordinance No. 15, of June 6, 2023, and is valid until 2028. The aim of the Plan 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”.
In order to achieve the proposed objective, the PAN establishes 24 conservation actions, divided into four specific objectives, which cover topics such as Research and Monitoring, Training and Communication, Management and Conservation, and Public Policies. These actions focus on the 98 species of flora targeted by the Upper Tocantins Basin PAN, of which 14 are classified as “Critically Endangered” (CR), 58 as “Endangered” (EN) and 26 as “Vulnerable” (VU). 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: