Boll weevils in dry bolls:is there a performance disadvantage?

Background Anthonomus grandis grandis is the main cotton pest in the Americas,with the potential to become a pest in other continents.The insect uses the plant's reproductive organs for feeding,oviposition,and survival strategies in the off-season,sheltering in dry bolls.This study aimed to know the reproductive potential,feeding,longevity,and morphometric characteristics of boll weevils from dry bolls,squares,and traps.Adults were obtained from infested squares,dry bolls,and traps installed in cotton fields and the Caatinga area.Thirty weevil pairs were maintained in the laboratory to assess the oviposition,feeding holes,longevity,and morphometric measurements of the parental and F_(1) generations.Results In the parental generation,boll weevils from traps(the Caatinga area and cotton cultivation)showed greater reproductive potential.Boll weevils from squares and the Caatinga area showed greater feeding activity compared with those from cotton cultivation.Greater rostrum length,thorax+abdomen length,and abdomen width were observed in boll weevils from cotton cultivation and dry bolls.The origin of boll weevils parental generation did not affect progeny emergence time.The F_(1) generation of boll weevils showed significant differences in average longevity depending on the origin of different microhabitats.Furthermore,differences in rostrum lengths were observed,with the boll weevils coming from traps installed in cotton cultivation,the Caatinga area,and dry bolls being the largest.Regarding thorax+abdomen length and abdomen width,the highest values were observed in those from the Caatinga area and cotton cultivation.Conclusion It was proven that dry bolls did not affect the reproductive,feeding,and longevity performance of boll weevils,enabling better insect fitness(reproduction and size)in relation to those coming from squares.The use of dry bolls as off-season shelter is an important survival strategy for the boll weevil.

Altitude as environmental filtering influencing phylogenetic diversity and species richness of plants in tropical mountains

Elucidating how multiple factors affect biodiversity and plant community assembly is a central issue in ecology,especially in vulnerable ecosystems such as tropical mountains.These studies are more relevant in global warming scenarios that induce the upward displacement of plant species towards reduced habitats and hostile environments in tropical mountains.This study aimed to analyze how altitude affects taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity in plant communities of tropical mountains.Thus,we tested if(i)increased altitude works as an environmental filtering promoting decreased species richness,decreased phylogenetic diversity,and increased phylogenetic clustering in these tropical mountains;and if(ii)plant communities of high altitude in tropical mountains are also result of recent diversification with plant species recently split shortening phylogenetic distances between closest related species.We tested effects of altitude on species richness and phylogenetic metrics using linear mixed-effects models.Mount Haleakala presented 114 species,Mount Kilimanjaro presented 231 species and Mount Purace presented 280 species.We found an environmental filtering effect with increasing altitude causing phylogenetic clustering,decreased phylogenetic diversity and decreased species richness.The decreasing phylogenetic distances between closest relatives are congruent with neo-endemics,suggesting recent plant diversification in high altitudes of tropical mountains,possibly driven by geographic isolation and environmental heterogeneity.Consequences of global warming should be monitored in tropical mountains focusing on distribution shifts.

Influence of Environmental Variables on the Natural Regeneration of a Forest under Restoration after Bauxite Mining and in a Reference Ecosystem in Southeastern Brazil

The shrub-tree floristic composition of the natural regeneration stratum of a bauxite mine in the process of restoration and in a reference ecosystem(remnant of a preserved secondary Seasonal Semi-Deciduous Forest)were analysed to evaluate forest restoration conditions after five years of planting.The influence of canopy openness,accumulated leaf litter and soil attributes in the regeneration stratum were also investigated in both the forests.The floristic composition of the regeneration stratum in the forest under restoration(16 species and 5,083 individuals ha-1)and in the reference ecosystem(58 species and 26,250 individuals ha-1)are distinct due to the difference in the environmental variables.Results showed that the reference ecosystem favours the presence of species that tolerate environments with greater shading and higher aluminium and organic matter content in the soil like Psychotria carthagenensis Jacq.,while the forest under restoration favours the presence of species adapted to fertile soils and those that tolerate greater luminosity like Vernonanthura phosphorica(Vell.)H.Rob.

Soil Seed Banks in Two Environments of Forest Restoration Post Bauxite Mining:Native Tree Plantation and Natural Regeneration

The objective of this study was to compare the soil seed bank in an area under natural regeneration(F1)and another reforested through seedling planting(F2),seven years after bauxite mining,in Southeast,Brazil.In each area,10 sampling points were randomly distributed,using three samples of topsoil to represent each point.The samples were transported to a shade house and evaluated for six months,where emerging individuals were identified every two weeks.Floristic similarity was evaluated with cluster analysis based on the Jaccard index(SJ).Species richness and abundance of individuals were compared using Student's t test.In F1,2,114.94 propagules m-2 were registered,belonging to 51 species and 24 botanical families,Shannon-Wiener diversity index H’=2.770 and Pielou evenness index J’=0.705.In F2,1,168.62 propagules m-2 were registered,belonging to 42 species and 22 families,H’=2.618 and J’=0.700.The(SJ)between F1 and F2 was 0.61,indicating a high similarity.The results showed high density of propagules,good diversity and absence of ecological dominance.The high number of individuals and diversity of tree species with zoochoric dispersion found in the areas indicates that both natural regeneration and reforestation were efficient in the ecological restoration of bauxite mined areas.

Assessing the relationship between the rumen microbiota and feed efficiency in Nellore steers

Background:Ruminants rely upon a complex community of microbes in their rumen to convert host-indigestible feed into nutrients.However,little is known about the association between the rumen microbiota and feed efficiency traits in Nellore(Bos indicus)cattle,a breed of major economic importance to the global beef market.Here,we compare the composition of the bacterial,archaeal and fungal communities in the rumen of Nellore steers with high and low feed efficiency(FE)phenotypes,as measured by residual feed intake(RFI).Results:The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio was significantly higher(P<0.05)in positive-RFI steers(p-RFI,low feed efficiency)than in negative-RFI(n-RFI,high feed efficiency)steers.The differences in bacterial composition from steers with high and low FE were mainly associated with members of the families Lachnospiraceae,Ruminococcaceae and Christensenellaceae,as well as the genus Prevotella.Archaeal community richness was lower(P<0.05)in p-RFI than in n-RFI steers and the genus Methanobrevibacter was either increased or exclusive of p-RFI steers.The fungal genus Buwchfawromyces was more abundant in the rumen solid fraction of n-RFI steers(P<0.05)and a highly abundant OTU belonging to the genus Piromyces was also increased in the rumen microbiota of highefficiency steers.However,analysis of rumen fermentation variables and functional predictions indicated similar metabolic outputs for the microbiota of distinct FE groups.Conclusions:Our results demonstrate that differences in the ruminal microbiota of high and low FE Nellore steers comprise specific taxa from the bacterial,archaeal and fungal communities.Biomarker OTUs belonging to the genus Piromyces were identified in animals showing high feed efficiency,whereas among archaea,Methanobrevibacter was associated with steers classified as p-RFI.The identification of specific RFI-associated microorganisms in Nellore steers could guide further studies targeting the isolation and functional characterization of rumen microbes potentially important for the energy-harvesting efficiency of ruminants.

Attributes of stand-age-dependent forest determine technosol fertility of Atlantic forest re-growing on mining tailings in Mariana,Brazil

Understanding how soil fertility changes due to environmental conditions and stand-age-dependent forest attributes is important for local-scale forest restoration.We evaluated the effects of stand-age-dependent forest attributes(plant community composition and litter stock)on soil and technosol fertility across two second-growth Atlantic forests(SGF)after the deposition of mining tailings in Mariana,southeastern Brazil.We hypothesized that technosol fertility in the SGF tailings is positively affected by plant community composition variability,stand age,and litter stock.We used total exchangeable bases and organic matter as fertility indicators for technosol and soil,and species composition and litter stock as stand-age-dependent forest attributes.Our results showed significant differences in the stand-age-dependent forest attributes and soil chemical properties between the two forest patches(SGF tailing and SGF non-tailing)evaluated.Thus,there was a marked gradient of litter storage and fertility between soil and technosol that can be important forest recovery indicators for the affected plant communities.Furthermore,according to the tested models,we corroborated the hypothesis that technosol fertility is positively affected by stand age,plant community composition variability,and litter stock,which may contribute considerably to forest recovery on tailings.Our results demonstrate that the fertility predictors analyzed to explain the forest recovery on tailings can also be considered as ecological indicators for assessing forest restoration in areas impacted by mining tailings in Mariana.

Ion dynamics into different pore size distributions in supercapacitors under compression

Compressing supercapacitor(SCs)electrode is essential for improving the energy storage characteristics and minimizing ions’distance travel,faradaic reactions,and overall ohmic resistance.Studies comprising the ion dynamics in SC electrodes under compression are still rare.So,the ionic dynamics of five aqueous electrolytes in electrodes under compression were studied in this work for tracking electrochemical and structural changes under mechanical stress.A superionic state is formed when the electrode is compressed until the micropores match the dimensions with the electrolyte’s hydrated ion sizes,which increases the capacitance.If excessive compression is applied,the accessible pore regions decrease,and the capacitance drops.Hence,as the studied hydrated ions have different dimensions,the match between ion/pore sizes differs.To the LiOH and NaClO4electrolytes,increasing the pressure from 60 to 120 and 100 PSI raised the capacitance from 13.5 to 35.2 F g^(-1)and 30.9 to 39.0 F g^(-1),respectively.So,the KOH electrolyte with the lowest and LiCl with the biggest combination of hydrated ion size have their point of maximum capacitance(39.5 and 36.7F g^(-1))achieved at 140 and 80 PSI,respectively.To LiCl and KCl electrolytes,overcompression causes a drop in capacitance higher than 23%.

New variola(mpox)in Brazil:Epidemiological update and perspectives

New variola(NV)-mpox(monkeypox)-is a zoonosis caused by the mpox virus,which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus in the family Poxviridae.This disease,in the present year(2022),has caused several cases and deaths around the world,including Brazil[1].The group of poxviruses,in which the species that causes NV is included,consists of agents widely distributed in nature.Due to their considerably large size,they were among the first viruses to be microscopically visualized.The Poxviridae family is capable of infecting epithelial and connective tissue cells.Currently,such a viral family is classified as a genome lineage composed of doublestranded DNA,completely independent of the host nucleus[1].

Effects of Forest Restoration Techniques on Community Diversity and Aboveground Biomass on Area Affected by Mining Tailings in Mariana,Southeastern Brazil

Currently there is an urgent and special attention in actions to restore tropical forests.In this study,we evaluated the effect of different restoration methods on aboveground biomass(AGB)stock,tree community diversity and structure,in areas affected by the Fundão tailings dam collapse in Mariana,Minas Gerais state,Brazil.We measured and compiled data of the AGB,community diversity and structure attributes in 36 plots distributed in six restoration treatments and six replicas:planting of native tree seedlings with fertilization and pH correction(PSf)and without fertilization and pH correction(PS);seeding of native trees with fertilization and pH correction(SDf)and without fertilization and pH correction(SD);natural regeneration with fertilization and pH correction(NRf)and without fertilization and pH correction(NR).No significant differences in substrate properties and AGB between treatments.Although biomass storage between treatments was not statistically different,there is a clear pattern showing higher values active restoration method.The Pielou index ranged from 0.520(SDf)to 0.943(NR),except for SDf all the others treatments had values higher than 0.76.This result suggests floristic heterogeneity,without ecological dominance in the plant community.Overall,active restoration had important implications for the forest restoration where natural regeneration is limited.

Retention of eucalyptus harvest residues reduces soil compaction caused by deep subsoiling

Eucalyptus harvesting,forwarding and soil tillage operations are among the main causes for compaction of forest soils,with potential impacts on productivity.This concern is especially important in areas with soils that are naturally compacted(fragipans and duripans).In these soils,tillage operations include the use of subsoilers that can reach depths of more than one meter and require heavy tractors that exert high pressure on the soil.One of the ways to try to minimize the effect of this compaction is by retaining harvest residues.The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of eucalyptus harvesting on soil physical attributes,as well as to determine the potential of different types of residue management to reduce compaction from the soil tillage operation.Two experiments were conducted in the same area with a Yellow Argisol.In the first experiment,compaction caused by mechanized harvesting with harvester+forwarder was evaluated.In the second experiment,different managements of harvest residues were examined as potential modifiers of soil compaction during tillage for new plantings.For this,three managements systems were tested:(1)retention of all harvest residues and litter from the previous rotation(HR+L),(2)retention of litter from the previous rotation(L),and(3)removal of harvest residues and litter from the previous rotation(WR).Before and after harvest,sampling was carried out in the planting rows and inter-rows,and after tillage,samples were collected in the traffic line of the subsoiler-tractor set.In both experiments,undisturbed soil samples were collected from the center of the 0-10,10-20,20-40,40-60,and 60-100 cm layers to determine soil density and total porosity.In each period and site of evaluation,mechanical resistance to penetration up to the 60-cm depth was also determined.The harvesting operation increased soil density at 0-10 and 60-100 cm depths only in the inter-rows.Retention of harvest residues and litter(HR+L)after harvesting avoided increases in soil density and penetration resistance caused by machine traffic during tillage.The results indicate the importance of retaining harvest residues on forest soils for achieving sustainable utilization and for conserving soil quality.

Characterization of PetM cytochrome b6f subunit 7 domain-containing protein in tomato

In recent years,multiple advances have been made in understanding the photosynthetic machinery in model organisms.Knowledge transfer to horticultural important fruit crops is challenging and time-consuming due to restrictions in gene editing tools and prolonged life cycles.Here,we characterize a gene encoding a PetM domain-containing protein in tomato.The CRISPR/Cas9 knockout lines of the PetM showed impairment in the chloroplastic electron transport rate(ETR),reduced CO_(2) assimilation,and reduction of carotenoids and chlorophylls(Chl)under several light conditions.Further,growth-condition-dependent elevation or repression of Chl a/b ratios and de-epoxidation states were identified,underlining possible impairment compensation mechanisms.However,under low light and glasshouse conditions,there were basal levels in CO_(2) assimilation and ETR,indicating a potential role of the PetM domain in stabilizing the cytochrome b6f complex(Cb6f)under higher light irradiance and increasing its quantum efficiency.This suggests a potential evolutionary role in which this domain might stabilize the site of the Cb6f regulating ratios of cyclic and linear electron transport and its potential importance during the conquest of terrestrial ecosystems during which plants were exposed to higher irradiance.Finally,the results are discussed with regard to metabolism and their implication to photosynthesis from an agronomic perspective.

Promoter replacement of ANT1 induces anthocyanin accumulation and triggers the shade avoidance response through developmental, physiological and metabolic reprogramming in tomato

The accumulation of anthocyanins is a well-known response to abiotic stresses in many plant species.However,the effects of anthocyanin accumulation on light absorbance and photosynthesis are unknown.Here,we addressed this question using a promoter replacement line of tomato constitutively expressing a MYB transcription factor(ANTHOCYANIN1,ANT1)that leads to anthocyanin accumulation.ANT1-overexpressing plants displayed traits associated with shade avoidance response:thinner leaves,lower seed germination rate,suppressed side branching,increased chlorophyll concentration,and lower photosynthesis rates than the wild type.Anthocyanin-rich leaves exhibited higher absorbance of light in the blue and red ends of the spectrum,while higher anthocyanin content in leaves provided photoprotection to high irradiance.Analyses of gene expression and primary metabolites content showed that anthocyanin accumulation produces a reconfiguration of transcriptional and metabolic networks that is consistent with,but not identical to those described for the shade avoidance response.Our results provide novel insights about howanthocyanins accumulation affects the trade-off between photoprotection and growth.

Study on Site Preparation and Restoration Techniques for Forest Restoration in Mining Tailings of Mariana,Brazil

Ecological restoration in forest ecosystem is a priority in Mariana,Brazil.Thus,we evaluated the effects of passive and active restoration methods through different site preparation techniques by manipulating physical-chemical properties of substrates on tree community coverage in Mariana,Brazil.A total of 48 plots(12×12 m each)were established in two areas along the flood plains with accumulation of tailings.The following treatments were established:(1)planting of native tree seedlings with fertilization(PSf)and(2)without fertilization(PS);(3)direct seeding of native trees with fertilization(SDf)and(4)without fertilization(SD);(5)natural regeneration with fertilization(NRf)and(6)without fertilization(NR).Differences in substrate properties and tree community coverage were evaluated between treatments,the substrate properties and tree community coverage relationship,and main effects of substrate fertility and texture on tree community coverage.There were marked differences in substrate and plant coverage between treatments.On average,the highest plant coverage was found in treatment with fertilization,such as NRf(59,5%)and SDf(48%).However,the treatment with seedling planting(PSf and PS)and NR did not show differences(~37%),while the lowest values were observed in SD(23%).There is a strong relationship between substrate fertility and plant community coverage,with significant positive effects.We observed that the passive and active restoration methods can be complementary in the soil and plant community coverage recovery.

Modelling Weather and Climate Related Fire Risk in Africa

Based on regional climate model simulations conducted with RegCM3 and NCEP Reanalyses, the impact of anomalous climate forcing on environmental vulnerability to wildfire occurrence in Africa is analyzed by applying the Potential Fire Index (PFI). Three different model-based vegetation distributions were analyzed for a present day simulation (1980-2000) and for the end of the twenty-first century (2080-2100). It was demonstrated that under current climate and vegetation conditions the PFI is able to reproduce the principal fire risk areas which are concentrated in the Sahelian region from December to March, and in subtropical Africa from July to October. Predicted future changes in vegetation lead to substantial modifications in magnitude of the PFI, particularly for the southern and subtropical region of Africa. The impact of climate changes other than through vegetation, was found to induce more moderate changes in the fire risk, and increase the area vulnerable to fire occurrence in particular in sub-Saharan. The PFI reproduces areas with high fire activity, indicating that this index is a useful tool for forecasting fire occurrence worldwide, because it is based on regionally dependent vegetation and climate factors.

Mean and Interannual Variability of Maize and Soybean in Brazil under Global Warming Conditions

Brazil is responsible for 27% of the world production of soybeans and 7% of maize. Mato Grosso and Para states in Brazil are among the largest producer. The viability to the cultivation of maize (Zea mays) and soybeans (Glycine max), for future climate scenarios (2070-2100, GHG) is evaluated based on crop modeling (DSSAT) forced by observational data and regional climate simulations (HadRM3). The results demonstrated that a substantial reduction in the yield in particular for maize may be expected for the end of the 21st century. Distinct results are found for soybeans. By applying the A2 climate changes scenario, soybean yield rises by up top 60% assuming optimum soil treatment and no water stress. However, by analyzing the inter-annual variability of crop yields for both maize and soybean, could be demonstrated larger year-to-year fluctuations under greenhouse warming conditions as compared to current conditions, leading to very low productivity by the end of the 21st century. Therefore, these Brazilian states do not appear to be economically suitable for a future cultivation of maize and soybeans. Improved adaptation measures and soil management may however partially alleviate the negative climate change effect.

Digestive enzymes inhibition, antioxidant and antiglycation activities of phenolic compounds from jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora) peel

In this study, jabuticaba peel purified phenolic extracts were studied regarding their potential inhibitory effects on digestive enzymes linked to diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity, inhibitory activities towards glycation of bovine serum albumin (BSA), and antioxidant activities. The impact of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (GID) on the stability of anthocyanins and bioactivities was also evaluated. The analyzed extracts exhibited significant inhibitory activities of α-glucosidase (IC50: 0.47–5.20 mg/mL), α-amylase (IC50: 0.45–1.88 mg/mL), and lipase (IC50: 13.52–111.51 mg/mL). The extracts also inhibited the glycation of BSA (IC50: 0.23–7.07 mg/mL) and showed relevant antioxidant activities. The correlation analysis indicated anthocyanins as one of the main contributing compounds to the bioactivities studied. Cyanidin-3-glucoside was the major anthocyanin identified in the extracts by HPLC analysis. After GID, there was a decrease in the total anthocyanin content (72.77% ± 1.67%) and, consequently, a reduction in the inhibitory activities of carbohydrate digestive enzymes and BSA glycation. This research provided scientific data about the functional properties of jabuticaba peel extracts, which may be a source of dietary compounds with hypoglycaemic, antiglycation, and antioxidant effects.

Genome analyses of Weissella strains isolated from Campos das Vertentes, Minas Gerais, Brazil revealed new bacteriocins with a large spectrum of activity

This work aimed at characterizing the Weissella cibaria strains isolated from Campos das Vertentes,Minas Gerais,Brazil and their antimicrobial potential.Thus,three strains of W.cibaria(W21,W25 and W42)were previously selected,and the genomes of W21 and W42 were sequenced,while that of strain W25 was already sequenced and reported.Afterwhich,we investigated the presence of genes coding for potential secondary metabolites in the genomes of the strains using the AntiSmash webtool,and located a common region coding for a putative bacteriocin identified as Bacteriocin_IIc.Then,we assessed in vitro this antimicrobial activity using the supernatant of these strains.According to the data,the strain W21,which has one transport-related gene missing from the bacteriocin operon compared to W25 and W42,likewise showed no differences in the in vitro antimicrobial test when comparing the outcomes of the three treatments(supernatant without treatment,neutralized and treated with proteinase K).Also,we compared the nucleotides and amino acids of this putative bacteriocin in the NCBI platform and there was no similarity with other so far described bacteriocin from the genus Weissella.In conclusion,two of the three Weissella strains tested in this work have the potential to produce a new bacteriocin not yet described which needs to be deeply characterized and proposed for food protection as alternatives to chemicals in foods.

Impact of Paenibacillus elgii supernatant on screening bacterial strains with potential for biotechnological applications

The biotechnological industry faces a crucial demand for novel bioactive compounds,particularly antimicrobial agents,to address the rising challenge of bacterial resistance to current available antibiotics.Traditional strate-gies for cultivating naturally occurring microorganisms often limit the discovery of novel antimicrobial producers.This study presents a protocol for targeted selection of bacterial strains using the supernatant of Paenibacillus el-gii,which produces abundant signal molecules and antimicrobial peptides.Soil samples were inoculated in these enriched culture media to selectively cultivate bacteria resistant to the supernatant,indicating their potential to produce similar compounds.The bacterial strains isolated through this method were assessed for their antibac-terial activity.In addition,the functional annotation of the genome of one of these strains revealed several gene clusters of biotechnological interest.This study highlights the effectiveness of using this approach for selective cultivation of microorganisms with potential for biotechnological applications.

The Colletotrichum orbiculare species complex: Important pathogens of field crops and weeds

Colletotrichum orbiculare causes anthracnose of Cucurbitaceae and is phylogenetically closely related to pathogens of several other herbaceous hosts belonging to the Asteraceae,Fabaceae and Malvaceae.Most of them are known for their hemibiotrophic infection strategy and as destructive pathogens either of field crops or weeds.In order to study the phylogenetic relationships of these fungi,a multilocus analysis(ITS,GAPDH,CHS-1,HIS3,ACT,TUB2,GS)of 42 strains of C.orbiculare and related species was conducted.The analysis resulted in nine clades that confirmed the four species previously known as belonging to this species complex,C.lindemuthianum,C.malvarum,C.orbiculare and C.trifolii,and recognised four new species from weeds,namely C.bidentis,C.sidae,C.spinosum and C.tebeestii.The name C.orbiculare itself is widely used in plant pathology and science,but is invalid according to current nomenclatural rules.Therefore we described a new species with the same epithet and a type specimen that agrees with our current understanding of this species,and is linked to a living culture.Following the recent epitypification of C.lindemuthianum,we chose appropriate specimens with associated strains to serve as epitypes of C.malvarum and C.trifolii,and selected an authentic specimen of C.trifolii as lectotype.

The influence of soil on vegetation structure and plant diversity in different tropical savannic and forest habitats

Aims Soil plays an important role in the formation and heterogene-ity of habitats and thus can cause changes in vegetation struc-ture and plant diversity.The differentiation between Cerrado/savanna and forest is well known,but the relationship between soil and habitats from savannic or forest formations still needs to be better understood,particularly in tropical ecotonal areas.We studied the association between attributes of plant com-munities,namely structure and diversity,and physicochemical characteristics of soils in the Caatinga domain at the transition to Cerrado in Brazil.Methods Chemical and physical analyses of soils were performed in samples of 38 plots from savannic formations and 30 plots from forest forma-tions.Vegetation was characterized floristically and structurally in all plots,five habitats being assessed in each plant formation.Soil features and vegetation parameters were highly distinct among the different habitats.Important Findingsin general,forest habitats were more nutrient rich than savannic formation.Furthermore,soil variables showed effects both on vegetation structure and on its species diversity,more pronouncedly in the savannic formations.Habitats were structurally distinct,and diversity differed between savannic and forest communities;however,a higher differentiation occurred when the savannic formation habitats were compared among them.Although plant diversity did not differ among forest formation habitats,soil attributes showed a close relationship with edaphic factors and can contribute for similar vegetation.The soil-vegetation relationship in highly diverse ecotonal landscapes is important from the conservation biology point of view and aid in the execution of proactive plans for the maintenance of biodiversity.Thus,we noticed that diversity and soil behaves distinctly between savannic and forest communities.