Relation between the tolerance of native species of the Atlantic Forest and the contamination by heavy metals in the biosphere reserve of the Green Belt in São Paulo-SP

Abstract

Remnants of the Green Belt-SP Biosphere Reserve (RBCV-SP) are affected by pollutants such as metal-containing particulate matter from industrial emissions from the site. These metals are likely to be incorporated into the vegetation by deposition on the crowns of trees, incorporated into the soil directly via deposition or indirectly through the fall/decomposition of the litter, which may result in the accumulation of these potentially toxic elements in the ecosystem. In this project, through the APTI index (which indicates the level of tolerance of plants exposed to atmospheric pollution), analyzes of soil metals and leaves of native tree species, the tolerance levels and the accumulation capacity of metals in the species collected in RBCV-SP. Other physiological and biochemical variables will be tested to increase the sensitivity and specificity of this index as an indicator of atmospheric pollution tolerance. Thus, it will be proposed to evaluate the relationship between tolerance and frequency of species in each park. In addition, it will be possible to establish a ranking of the most representative species of the Atlantic Forest for both characteristics, for use in reforestation programs in the region and to indicate sensitive species for preservation. To overcome these challenges, tree species will be collected and selected from four parks located in RBCV-SP, which will be chosen through a floristic/phytosociological inventory. After collecting the leaves of the species represented by a greater number of trees, biochemical and physiological parameters (chlorophyll, ascorbate, leaf pH, leaf water content, dry leaf mass per area, HPDC and total glutathione) and foliar concentrations of metals, aiming to establish the tolerance index for each species. Campaigns for collecting particulate matter will be performed and analyzed for the concentrations of metals for characterization of the species sampling site. The efficiency of the metal tolerance index will be checked by statistical techniques and by experiment to be performed in growth chambers. (AU)