PNE projects and programmes
Ongoing projects
 Sustainable use of caatinga for fuelwood production
This long-term experimental project is working with local communities
to investigate effective and efficient techniques for management
of fuelwood trees in the caatinga vegetation.
The repatriation of herbarium data for Northeast Brazil
This project provides Brazilian researchers access
to important data and specimens from Kew's collections.
Previous projects
The first phase of PNE included biodiversity studies, applied research
into native plant use and ecosystem management, economic botany,
the synthesis and dissemination of plant information and training.
Projects concentrated on semi-arid areas, in particular three
vegetation types: caatinga (deciduous thorn forest), brejos
(relict high altitude moist forests, which are the lifeline of the
rural economy in times of drought) and campo rupestre (montane
rocky grasslands of especially high biodiversity).
IDT/CNIP
In 1998 the Information, Dissemination and Training Project
(IDT) was initiated to promote access, exchange and collection of
information and knowledge on the plants of Northeast Brazil through
a network of organizations and participating institutions. This
major initiative established a system that is now managed by CNIP
(Northeast Centre for Plant Information) based at UFPE, the Federal
University of Pernambuco. The IDT concept was funded by Kew and
implemented with funding from the Department for International Development
(DfID).
ECONOMIC BOTANY
Phenology, production and nutritive value of woody species of
the caatinga
This project undertook phenological studies and nutritional analyses
of 21 woody species featuring in the diets of small livestock in
the caatinga. The results enabled the development of sustainable
management techniques for the woody species of caatinga, increasing
the production and quality of the forage whilst improving and maintaining
plant biodiversity. Demonstration experiments were established in
seven different municipalities of the interior of Ceará state.
Research finding were disseminated among local smallholders through
visits to experimental areas, field days at CNPC (National Research
Centre for Goat Research) and distribution of information leaflets
and other publications.
Legumes of the caatinga: species with forage potential
This project aimed to contribute to a better understanding of the
forage potential of the caatinga, and to offer rural producers
alternatives for pasture improvement through use of native legumes
adapted to the semi-arid conditions of the Northeast. Extensive
fieldwork was carried out to provide biogeographical and floristic
information of the legumes of caatinga and to evaluate the
growth habitat and reproduction requirements of species with high
forage potential. All the information was stored in a database,
for use in producing a book and a manual on improved practices for
enriching and managing native pastures.
Field guides and forage crops
The Biodiversity Field Guide project produced a methods manual
providing clear guidelines for authors writing field guides to plants,
animals, vegetation or other aspects of biodiversity. The aim is
to ensure that such guides meet the requirements of their target
audiences: agriculturalists, academics, development and conservation
agencies etc. The project involves collaboration between research
institutions, universities, NGOs and rural communities from Brazil,
Bolívia and the United Kingdom .
Project activities included production of two model field guides,
serving to inform the development of the methods manual. One of
the field guides, aimed at rural farmers and extension workers in
rural communities, focused on 21 species of caatinga forage
legumes. Thnis includes detailed information (selected by agriculturalists
and technicians working in rural communities) on the use and management
of the most important forage species in the region. The design of
the guide was chosen by end-user representatives.
The other, larger field guide was designed for non-specilists,
covering 250 species of caatinga legumes. The work of collecting
and preparing the guide has involved botanists, ecologists, environmental
education technicians, ethnobotanists, zoologists, conservationists,
agronomists and foresters.
Identification and nutritional value of forage plants of the Parnaíba
River Basin
This project aimed to identify and determine the nutritional value
of forage plants in the Parnaíba River Basin. Information
on their use was gathered from local agriculturists, and various
analyses undertaken to evaluate nutritive value of the plants. The
project also built a reference herbarium for forage species to assist
further research. In addition, the project provided training opportunities
for students to extend their knowledge and expertise in the area.
Collection and inventory of native forage plants of Petrolina,
Afrânio, Ouricuri and Juazeiro
This project documented native forage species used in four different
selected municipalities: Petrolina, Afrânio, Ouricuri (Pernambuco)
and Juazeiro (Bahia) through a combination of interviews with local
farmers, bibliographic survey and laboratory research. An inventory
of native forage plants was undertaken and material collected for
the CPATSA herbarium. The results obtained were disseminated to
the scientific community and farmers through local radio and TV
programmes, rural extension and government extension agencies.
MEDICINAL PLANTS
Living pharmacies and an evaluation of medicinal plants in Northeast
Brazil
This project was part of a larger programme aiming to provide affordable
medicines, of proven pharmacological efficacy, for low income socioeconomic
groups. This was achieved through the cultivation of scientifically
validated medicinal plants selected from those traditionally used
in the Northeast of Brazil. Existing and new data on medicinal plants
were stored in databases together with information on their use.
The project supported the extension of the demonstration medicinal
plant garden at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) - a
model 'Living Pharmacy' developed by Professor Abreu Matos. Approximately
16 Living Pharmacies were established throughout Ceará and
other states. The UFC medicinal plant garden has also become a major
centre for scientific studies and training in the cultivation, use
and preparation of medicinal plants for both Brazilians and overseas
students. Leaflets covering cultivation, harvesting, preparation
of the medicines and dosages for 12 species used to treat common
ailments were produced for distribution to local people at workshops
and clinics associated with the Living Pharmacies.
The study of medicinal and useful plants of Alagoas
This project aimed to document and evaluate popular knowledge of
the medicinal plants of Alagoas State through an ethnobotanical
survey with local healers, indigenous herbalists and local users.
All the information was stored in a database and voucher specimens
housed in the Herbarium of IMA. Species were selected for more detailed
phyto-chemical study aimed at determining their active components,
particularly in relation to anti-malarial, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal
activity. Medicinal plant gardens were established at the Federal
University of Alagoas (UFAL) to undertake scientific studies and
a site for training in the cultivation of medicinal plants.
Survey of the medicinal plants of Paraíba State (Cariris
Velhos) and pharmacological screening
This project aimed to identify and catalogue the most commonly
used native medicinal plant species in the Cariris Velhos region.
In addition, the project undertook pharmacological screening of
selected species to evaluate the activities traditionally attributed
to them. An important aspect of this project was the provision of
training for students in ethnobotanical and taxonomic skills and
the development of a database containing ethnobotanical and taxonomic
data.
Medicinal and toxic plants of Cajazeiras, Paraíba in Northeast
Brazil
This project carried out an ethnobotanical study of medicinal and toxic plants in the municipality of Cajazeiras, Paraíba. A checklist of medicinal and toxic plants was produced and a reference herbarium established to assist further studies in Campus V of the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB). A small demonstration garden of twelve raised plots was set up, modelled on the Living Pharmacy concept of Prof. Matos and containing examples of well known and scientifically tested medicinal plants. The garden serves as a means of disseminating information on medicinal plants to local communities and as a training centre for students.
BIODIVERSITY
Flora da Bahia
The overall objective of this project is to prepare an account of the flora of Bahia in a series of published volumes. Bahia, the largest of the nine north-eastern states, has one of the richest range of ecosystems anywhere in Brazil, including Mata Atlântica, restinga, cerrado, caatinga and various type of dry forest, as well as the vegetation of the Chapada Diamantina. This mountain range, rising to over 2000m, supports large areas of campo rupestre and a rich endemic flora including many species of orchids, vellozias, bromeliads and other interesting groups of plants such as the everlasting flowers (Eriocaulaceae).
The project is based at the State University of Feira de Santana and coordinated by Ana Maria Giulietti (UEFS) with two Assistant Coordinators: André Maurício de Carvalho (CEPLAC) and Raymond Harley (Kew). Participating institutions included: Centro de Pesquisa do Cacau (CEPLAC/CEPEC), Empresa Baiana de Deselvolvimento Agrícola (EBDA), Fundação Chapada Diamantina (FCD), Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), Universidade do Estado da Bahia (UNEB), Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana (UEFS), Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia (UESB), Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC) and Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA).
Other participating institutions outside Bahia include: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia (CENARGEN), New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), Universidade de São Paulo (USP) and Kew. The project initially aims to extend the collecting of material to cover the whole state of Bahia, concentrating on areas of known high biodiversity which are poorly collected, and to prepare an account of all known collections from Bahia and herbaria of participating institutions, leading to a species check-list for the State.
The second stage will include the publication of a detailed flora of the vascular plants of Bahia in a series of volumes, vegetation maps, and priority areas for conservation. Finally there will be a book on economically important, endemic or endangered plants .
PATAX
The main objective of this project, in collaboration with Kew, was to promote taxonomic research on the plants of Northeast of Brazil through:
• Improved plant identification by means of a joint project with IPA (Institute for Agronomic Research, Pernambuco State)
• Repatriating historically important taxonomic data from Kew Herbarium to NE Brazil
• Participating actively in the training and qualification of PhD-level taxonomists from NE Brazil to support pure and applied research on natural plant resources
• Maintaining and developing Kew's leading position as a centre of excellence for the taxonomy of plants from NE Brazil
Floristic diversity & plant distribution in the Central Bahia Mountains - The Chapada Diamantina
One of the main objectives of this project was to carry out a comparative survey of the flora of two mountains (Morro do Pai Inácio and Chapadinha) close to a new field station in Lençois (Bahia). In addition to a checklist of the flora of the entire Chapada Diamantina, the project also published a popular booklet on the more important useful plants of the area, to promote conservation and awareness of the value of the natural resources among both inhabitants of the region and tourists.
Plant species collected were incorporated in a database and housed in the herbariua at the Federal University of Bahia and Kew. The project involved seven participating institutions and provided valuable training opportunities for students.
Floral Composition and Diversity of the 'Brejos' of Pernambuco State , Northeast Brazil
This project provided a detailed study of the plant biodiversity of the 11 remaining Brejos (relict high altitude forests) in Pernambuco state. This work is vital for formulating conservation and sustainable utilisation strategies of these important forests. The project has produced the first map of Brejo forests through use of satellite images and land surveys. Comparative analyses of all studied sites were undertaken using 'Worldmap' software and cluster analysis. The project has contributed significantly to building the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco herbarium and provided training in taxonomy and field techniques, supported a postgraduate (MSc) programme, and provided opportunities for monographs and theses based on the biodiversity studies of the brejo forests.
The semi-arid flora of the Northern states of Northeast Brazil: caatingas and carrascos
This project aimed to survey and identify the flora of the semi-arid caatinga and carrasco in the states of Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte and Piauí in Northeast Brazil. Collected plants were incorporated into a database to be used used for the production of identification keys, distribution maps and the comparison of floristic areas. The project also aimed to characterise the physical and biological environment of the caatinga, thus providing valuable data for use in determining conservation and sustainable management strategies. |
