Notícias
Study deepens knowledge of the Malvaceae family in the JBRJ arboretum
An article published by researchers from the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden in the Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens discusses the potential of the Malvaceae family collection in the JBRJ arboretum and suggests measures to improve ex situ conservation (outside the original habitat) in order to meet Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC). Malvaceae is the family of hibiscus and other famous plants such as baobab, paine trees and kapok.
The study, signed by Carlos Daniel Miranda Ferreira, Juliana Ribeiro de Mattos, Marcus Alberto Nadruz Coelho and Massimo G. Bovini, cataloged 216 individuals of 63 species of Malvaceae in the arboretum. Of these, 45 species are native to the Americas, 11 to Africa, 10 to Asia and 3 to Oceania.
Using the IUCN criteria, the authors concluded that two species are categorized as endangered and two are Data Deficient (DD) species. Based on this survey and the specific biology of this family, the researchers identified problems and made recommendations to make the collection more representative for ex situ conservation purposes. They also hope that the work can serve as a replicable pilot for other research into taxonomic groups of Brazilian flora.