Analysis of nitrogen content in antropic influenced areas in Amazon and Atlantic Forest using a metabolomic tools

Abstract

Biological diversity degradation due to anthropic effects in Brazilian tropical forests (Amazon and Atlantic Forest) is a historical issue and affects important ecological services for well-being human. The limited comprehension of its functioning and ability to promote ecological services makes the human-modified areas in tropical forests central points to researches related to biological conservation and climatic attenuation strategies. In this context, the project aims a better understanding about human-modified ecosystems, especially in tropical forests. I) Intellectual merit: traditionally, morpho-physio-phenotypical characteristics are used as survival evaluation strategy (in plants) either in intact and perturbed ecosystems. Nevertheless exclusive use of such attributes neglects molecular phenomena that modulate all dynamic in organisms (from genes up to phenotypes) and, consequently the ecosystems. In this sense, this project aims the use metabolomic-based approaches to determination of biomarkers associated to plants survival strategy in intact and human-modified areas. The project focuses on qualitative and quantitative (relative) determination of nitrogen content (non-proteic) and its correlation with primary (nitrogen assimilation and aminoacids) and secondary (alkaloids, glucosamines, cyanogenic compounds) metabolismo; II. Impact: considering the paradigm of sustainable use of natural resources, a fundamental premise of biological conservation programs, the approach aims to assist the comprehension of intact and degraded ecosystems by use of simple and robust methods of nitrogen content monitoring produced by distinct biosynthetic pathways; III) Integration: the integrative approach of this proposal involves researchers of Sao Paulo universities and institutes as well as international partners under different areas of knowledge with a common objective: to develop and apply methodologies in metabolomics for understanding of environmental degradation phenomena associated with human-modified areas. This proposal is essentially multidisciplinary and its ultimate goal is to promote knowledge for conservation and valuation of biodiversity. Box 1 shows the project structure with the main collaborations and their functions. (AU)