Espécies exóticas invasoras em unidades de conservação brasileiras: estudo de caso da Terminalia catappa L.

Abstract

Nowadays, the impacts caused by exotic species are one of the major threats to biological diversity in the world even in Conservation Units (UCs). The exotic species do not occur naturally in a given region, although they are in this site due to transportation by human activities. The exotic species Terminalia catappa L. (Combretaceae) is native to Southeast Asia and became invasor in many tropical areas, including Brazil. The occurrence of this plant has also been registered in brazilians UCs, areas considered of priority for conservation. Thereby, this work has the objective of analyze the influence of the exotic species T. cattapa on UCs in Brazil, analyzing its occurrence and distribuition in these areas, as well as identify management plans that are being executed to the control and/or erradication of this specie in protected areas. A bibliographic research has been made about this specie in brazilians UCs, as well as a query on the Brasil de Espécies Exóticas Invasoras Database, elaborated by Horus Institute. Has been verified the occurrence of T. cattapa in 34 UCs, being the most of them classified as Ambiental Protection Area, State Park, Nacional Park and Biological Reserve. T. cattapa was registered in UCs of South, Southeast and Northeast regions, being founded on vegetetion of atlantic forest, restinga and mangrove. Regarding to management, the most effective method was the cut and herbicida with basis of Triclopir 4%. In literature, is not recommended the use of only mechanical methods, because they do not have good management results. It is recommended that more efforts are directed to find exotic species in UCs, such T. catappa, as well as effective management methods are needed to better guide and implemente to ensure the conservation of the protected areas.