Conservation genetics of Copaiba in different vegetational formations located in the Central-west region of the São Paulo State

Abstract

The destruction of the Brazilian ecosystems is among the most alarming issues of national and international conservation. To preserve these biomes and the native species found in them, it is necessary not only the conservation of natural remnants by the establishment of protected areas, but the possibility to optimize management strategies in these sites. The biological conservation has genetic diversity as one of its main bases, and it is this direction that the genetics of population has evolved to understand the biodiversity better and better. This project proposes to carry out a detailed study on the genetic structure and diversity of copaíba (Copaifera langsdorffii Desf.) in different vegetation structures. Samples of the Brazilian Savanah, Rain Forest, ecotones, including collections in highly disturbed areas in the Midwest state of São Paulo will be obtained. This native tree, with herbal importance, which is used in restoration projects and with an inexhaustible ecological value, is one of the symbols of the study area that fits all these vegetation complexes. Part of the plant material will be of use to morpho-anatomical studies, and the other will be used to extract genetic material. In the project that will be developed, we will search for the targeted region of the studied species genome, loci with adaptive genetic variation that hypothetically responds to different selection in different vegetation formations. For this purpose, SNPs markers will be used by New Generation Sequencing. The data obtained will be used to establish management units and areas of conservation priority for the populations of copaíba. During execution, an environmental component will be developed with junior high and high school students aiming to show the importance, objectives and outcomes of this study. Based on the obtained scientific data, it is intended to contribute to decisions and strategies of management of forest fragments in the region, and not least, create higher environmental awareness in basic education through teaching methods from the conservation genetics. (AU)