Doctor of Philosphy (PhD) / This thesis describes the work carried out during four treks, each over 10-11 days, from 1400m to 5000m in the Nepal Himalaya and further work performed during several two-night sojourns at the Barcroft Laboratory at 3800m on White Mountain in California, USA. Nineteen volunteers were studied during the treks in Nepal and seven volunteers were studied at White Mountain. All subjects were normal, healthy individuals who had not travelled to altitudes higher than 1000m in the previous twelve months. The aims of this research were to examine the effects on sleep, and the ventilatory patterns during sleep, of incremental increases in altitude by employing portable polysomnography to measure and record physiological signals. A further aim of this research was to examine the relationship between the ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia, measured at sea level, and the development of periodic breathing during sleep at high altitude. In the final part of this thesis the possibility of preventing and treating Acute Mountain Sickness with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation while sleeping at high altitude was tested. Chapter 1 describes the background information on sleep, and breathing during sleep, at high altitudes. Most of these studies were performed in hypobaric chambers to simulate various high altitudes. One study measured sleep at high altitude after trekking, but there are no studies which systematically measure sleep and breathing throughout the whole trek. Breathing during sleep at high altitude and the physiological elements of the control of breathing (under normal/sea level conditions and under the hypobaric, hypoxic conditions present at high altitude) are described in this Chapter. The occurrence of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) in subjects who travel form near sea level to altitudes above 3000m is common but its pathophysiology not well understood. The background research into AMS and its treatment and prevention are also covered in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 describes the equipment and methods used in this research, including the polysomnographic equipment used to record sleep and breathing at sea level and the high altitude locations, the portable blood gas analyser used in Nepal and the equipment and methodology used to measure each individual’s ventilatory response to hypoxia and hypercapnia at sea level before ascent to the high altitude locations. Chapter 3 reports the findings on the changes to sleep at high altitude, with particular focus on changes in the amounts of total sleep, the duration of each sleep stage and its percentage of total sleep, and the number and causes of arousals from sleep that occurred during sleep at increasing altitudes. The lightest stage of sleep, Stage 1 non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, was increased, as expected with increases in altitude, while the deeper stages of sleep (Stages 3 and 4 NREM sleep, also called slow wave sleep), were decreased. The increase in Stage 1 NREM in this research is in agreement with all previous findings. However, slow wave sleep, although decreased, was present in most of our subjects at all altitudes in Nepal; this finding is in contrast to most previous work, which has found a very marked reduction, even absence, of slow wave sleep at high altitude. Surprisingly, unlike experimental animal studies of chronic hypoxia, REM sleep was well maintained at all altitudes. Stage 2 NREM and REM sleep, total sleep time, sleep efficiency and spontaneous arousals were maintained at near sea level values. The total arousal index was increased with increasing altitude and this was due to the increasing severity of periodic breathing as altitude increased. An interesting finding of this research was that fewer than half the periodic breathing apneas and hypopneas resulted in arousal from sleep. There was a minor degree of upper airway obstruction in some subjects at sea level but this was almost resolved by 3500m. Chapter 4 reports the findings on the effects on breathing during sleep of the progressive increase of altitude, in particular the occurrence of periodic breathing. This Chapter also reports the results of changes to arterial blood gases as subjects ascended to higher altitudes. As expected, arterial blood gases were markedly altered at even the lowest altitude in Nepal (1400m) and this change became more pronounced at each new, higher altitude. Most subjects developed periodic breathing at high altitude but there was a wide variability between subjects as well as variability in the degree of periodic breathing that individual subjects developed at different altitudes. Some subjects developed periodic breathing at even the lowest altitude and this increased with increasing altitude; other subjects developed periodic breathing at one or two altitudes, while four subjects did not develop periodic breathing at any altitude. Ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia, measured at sea level before departure to high altitude, was not significantly related to the development of periodic breathing when the group was analysed as a whole. However, when the subjects were grouped according to the steepness of their ventilatory response slopes, there was a pattern of higher amounts of periodic breathing in subjects with steeper ventilatory responses. Chapter 5 reports the findings of an experimental study carried out in the University of California, San Diego, Barcroft Laboratory on White Mountain in California. Seven subjects drove from sea level to 3800m in one day and stayed at this altitude for two nights. On one of the nights the subjects slept using a non-invasive positive pressure device via a face mask and this was found to significantly improve the sleeping oxyhemoglobin saturation. The use of the device was also found to eliminate the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness, as measured by the Lake Louise scoring system. This finding appears to confirm the hypothesis that lower oxygen saturation, particularly during sleep, is strongly correlated to the development of Acute Mountain Sickness and may represent a new treatment and prevention strategy for this very common high altitude disorder.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 96-98).

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Power utilities are expected to keep the cost of electricity as low as possible. They are also expected to be environmentally friendly and, amongst other things, not to produce unacceptable audible noise. When the electric field on a conductor is high enough corona is produced and this is accompanied by audible noise. Air pressure, which is directly related to altitude, has an effect on the voltage at which corona will start. It is more difficult to ionise the air at sea level (high air pressure) than at high altitude (low air pressure). Altitude does not only affect the corona inception voltage, but also the intensity of the audible noise. A thorough scan of literature revealed that there is very little evidence of prior research work on the effect of air density on corona under fair weather (dry) conditions. In South Africa, transmission lines are built at altitudes higher than 1800 m above sea level. The cost of a 400 kV line is in the region of R2M per km. It is important to predict the noise levels under a proposed line accurately, before it is energised. This research indicated that the altitude correction for conductor corona audible noise, under dry conditions, might be steeper than the general accepted correction of 1 dB/300m. This correction, however, appears to be valid for heavy rain conditions. Under heavy rain conditions the corona is mainly determined by the water droplets, whereas under dry conditions the condition of the conductor plays the biggest role. The air density therefore has a bigger effect on the corona performance under dry conditions. The implication of a steeper altitude correction for dry conditions is that too low noise levels will be predicted for a higher altitude, which could lead to complaints. On the other hand, predictions for lower altitudes will be too conservative. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar word van kragvoorsieners verwag om die koste van elektrisiteit so laag as moontlik te hou. Hulle is verder onder druk om omgewingsvriendelik te wees en om onder andere nie onaanvaarbare hoorbare geraas te veroorsaak nie. Wanneer die elektriese veld op ‘n geleier hoog genoeg is, kan korona ontstaan wat dan hoorbare geraas veroorsaak. Die lugdruk, en daarom die hoogte bo seevlak, beïnvloed die spanning waarby ‘n geleier in korona sal gaan. Dit is moeiliker om die lug te ioniseer by seevlak (hoë lugdruk) as hoog bo seevlak (lae lugdruk). Die hoogte bo seevlak beïnvloed daarom nie net die spanning waarby korona sal begin nie maar ook die intensiteit van die hoorbare geraas. Dit wil voorkom of die effek van hoogte bo seevlak, op hoorbare geraas, a.g.v. geleier korona tot op datum baie skraps nagevors is. Baie min kon in die literatuur gevind word op die effek onder droë toestande. In Suid-Afrika is dit nodig om transmissielyne op hoogtes van 1800 m en hoër te bou. So ‘n lyn (400 kV) kos in die omgewing van R2M per km. Dit is daarom van uiterste belang om die geraasvlakke wat ‘n beplande lyn sal veroorsaak, akkuraat te bepaal, voordat so ‘n lyn aangeskakel word. Hierdie navorsing het gewys dat die effek van hoogte bo seespieël op hoorbare korona geraas onder droë toestande groter kan wees as wat algemene aanvaar word. Die helling van die korreksiefaktor vir hoogte bo seevlak blyk steiler as 1 dB/300 m te wees vir droë toestande. Die implikasie hiervan is dat geraas voorspellings vir hoër hoogtes bo seespieël te laag sal wees en die vir lae hoogtes te konserwatief kan wees. Die navorsing stem egter saam met die korreksiefaktor van 1 dB/300 m onder swaar reën toestande. Dit wil voorkom of die invloed van die waterdruppels op geleier korona groter is as lugdruk. Onder droë toestande speel die toestand van die geleier 'n groter rol en is die effek van lugdruk groter.

Orientador : Dr. Gustavo Ribas Curcio / Coorientadores : Dr. Alexandre Uhlmann; Drª. Annete Bonnet / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Florestal. Defesa: Curitiba, 23/02/2017 / Inclui referências : f. 91-109 / Resumo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a variação estrutural das sinúsias epifítica e arbórea ao longo de um gradiente altitudinal no Morro do Baú, Ilhota, SC, buscando correlações com as variações pedológicas (árvores) e atributos dos forófitos (epífitos). Instalamos 150 parcelas (100 m2) distribuídas equitativamente nas altitudes de 340 m (Área 1), 540 m (Área 2) e em 810 m s.n.m. (Área 3). Coletamos dados para cálculos fitossociológicos dos espécimes arbóreos com PAP ? 15 cm. Coletamos dados de solos em 28 parcelas (10 na Área 1, 10 na Área 2 e oito na Área 3). Abrimos dois perfis por patamar altimétrico, um em cada parcela, e coletamos amostras complementares de solos nas demais parcelas. Selecionamos 30 forófitos distribuídos equitativamente nos três pisos altitudinais para amostrar a sinúsia epifítica. Registramos, em cada forófito, todas as espécies epifíticas, bem como algumas características dos forófitos. Construímos modelos de regressão múltipla utilizando a estrutura das duas sinúsias (eixos da NMDS) e, no caso da epifítica, também a riqueza, como variáveis resposta. Utilizamos os atributos pedológicos como variáveis preditoras da estrutura da sinúsia fanerofítica e os dados dos forófitos para a sinúsia epifítica. Adicionamos MEMs (Moran Eigenvector Maps) aos modelos a fim de isolar o efeito da dependência espacial e testamos as suas premissas. Dentre as árvores, amostramos 3.470 indivíduos, pertencentes a 183 espécies. A riqueza decresceu conforme o aumento da altitude, tendo sido registradas 125, 103 e 47 espécies, respectivamente, nas Áreas 1, 2 e 3. Apenas nove espécies foram comuns às três Áreas. Detectamos uma forte diferença na composição da flora entre os extremos do gradiente explicados pela DCA e pela NMDS. Identificamos forte contraste também nos solos, havendo nas Áreas 1 e 2 Cambissolo Háplico e na Área 3 Espodossolo Humilúvico. Os melhores preditores da estrutura da sinúsia fanerofítica dentre os descritores pedológicos foram pH e carbono, além de dois MEMs. Dentre os epífitos, registramos 168 espécies, sendo 126 na Área 1, 120 na Área 2 e 57 na Área 3, sendo esta última Área significativamente distinta das demais. Os modelos de regressão apontaram altura do fuste e altura da copa relacionados com a riqueza e estrutura epifítica, embora também a idade da árvore figure como preditor no modelo de estrutura. Quando analisadas apenas as Áreas 1 e 2, a riqueza se relacionou com a idade dos forófitos. A seleção dos descritores pH e carbono não devem ter relação causal com a variação da vegetação arbórea e a natureza abrupta da variação deve estar relacionada com a atuação conjunta de fatores como altitude, clima, geologia e geomorfologia que afetam simultaneamente a vegetação e a formação dos solos. Dentre os preditores da riqueza e estrutura da sinúsia epifítica, além da seleção daqueles associados ao tamanho do forófito, a idade do forófito parece ser um atributo muito importante, mas pouco discutido na literatura. Palavras-chave: Gradientes altimétricos. Morro testemunho. Vale do Itajaí. Idade do forófito. / Abstract: Environmental gradients and their influence on the variation of the vegetation structure in "Morro do Baú" Botanical Park - SC. This study aims to analyze the structural variation from epiphytic and arboreal sinusiae along an altitudinal gradient in Morro do Baú, Ilhota municipality (Santa Catarina state, Southern Brazil), looking for correlations with the pedological variations (trees) and phorophytes attributes (epiphytes). We installed 150 plots (100 m2) evenly distributed in altitudes of 340 m (Area 1), 540 m (Area 2) and 810 m (Area 3). We collected data for phytosociological description from arboreal species with DBH ? 15 cm. We collected soil samples only in 28 plots (10 in Area 1, 10 in Area 2 and eight in Area 3). We digged two trenches for soil profiles description per altimetric level and collected additional soil samples in remaining 22 plots. We selected 30 phorophytes evenly distributed in the three altitudinal levels to sample the epiphytic sinusiae. We registered, in each phorophyte, all the epiphytic species, as well as some characteristics from the phorophytes. We constructed multiple regression models using the structure from the two sinusiae (NMDS axes) and also the richness (in the case of the epiphytes) as response variables. We used the pedological attributes as predictors variables of arboreal sinusiae structure and the phorophytes descriptors for the epiphytic sinusiae. We added MEMs (Moran's Eigenvector Maps) to the models to isolate the effect of spatial dependence and, finally, tested the premises of the model. Among the trees, we sampled 3.470 individuals, belonging to 183 species. The richness decreased as the altitude increased, registering 125, 103 and 47 species in Areas 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Only nine species are shared between the three Areas. We detected a strong difference in flora composition between the two extremes of the gradients as defined by the DCA and NMDS. We also identified a strong contrast in soils characteristics predominating Inceptisols in Area 1 and 2, and Histosols in Area 3. The best structure's predictors from fanerophytic sinusiae were pH and carbon, plus two MEMs. Among the epiphytes, we registered 168 species: 126 in Area 1, 120 in Area 2 and, 57 in Area 3, being the last one significantly different from others. The regression models showed that trunk height and crown height are related to richness and epiphytic structure, although age of the tree also figures as predictor in the structure model. When we analyze only Areas 1 and 2, richness was related with forophytes' age. The selected soil descriptors (pH and carbon) should have no causal relation with the arboreal vegetation's variation and the abrupt nature of the variation should be related to the joint action of factors as altitude, climate, geology and geomorphology which affect simultaneously vegetation and soils formation. Among the predictors of richness and epiphytic sinusiae structure, besides the selection of the ones associated to the phorophyte's size, phorophyte's age seems to be a very important attribute, but little discussed in literature. Key-words: Altimetric gradients. Relictual hill. Itajaí Valley. Phorophyte's age.

Submitted by Claudia Rocha (claudia.rocha@udesc.br) on 2017-12-05T15:51:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PGEF16MA088.pdf: 117803 bytes, checksum: 8cc8db2e4d1cff1f9adca729810aea75 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-05T15:51:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PGEF16MA088.pdf: 117803 bytes, checksum: 8cc8db2e4d1cff1f9adca729810aea75 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-26 / FAPESC / This study aimed to understand the functional and taxonomic organization of the tree component, along environmental gradients, in different spatial scales, in the Southern Plateau of Santa Catarina. Information of this nature are critical to the definition of conservation plans, as they allow inferences about the ecological strategies of the species to succeed in different environmental conditions. Thus, this dissertation was subdivided into two chapters, the first investigated functional variations in small spatial scale (≤ 1 ha) in an Araucaria Forest (FOM) with nebular influence, and the second evaluated the influence of altitude on functional and floristic patterns, considering a regional scale. For this, we selected three FOM remnants, located in the municipalities of Urubici (1600 m), São José do Cerrito (900 m) and Capão Alto (700 m), where the most abundant tree species were evaluated regarding their functional [wood density (DBM), leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), potential maximum height (HMP), leaf renovation regime and dispersion syndrome] and taxonomic aspects. Part of the data were collected in previous studies (Urubici = vegetation and environmental data in 25 20 x 20m plots; São José do Cerrito = vegetation data, in 50 20x10m plots; Capão Alto = vegetation and functional data, in 50 20 x 10m plots), so they were extracted from the database of Laboratory of Dendrology from Santa Catarina State University, to be incorporated in the analyzes and meta-analysis of this dissertation. The data were analyzed through multivariate techniques (Principal Component Analysis, Clusters analysis of functional and taxonomic dissimilarity), simple linear regressions, and non-parametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis, multiple post-hoc test). The results showed that, while in small spatial scale, environmental gradient associated with soil acidity, fertility, texture and slope influenced the functional diversity, AF and DBM, in a regional scale, along the altitudinal gradient, it was observed changes regarding the leaf renovation regime, dispersion syndrome, AF, DBM, AFE and HMP. We conclude that in small spatial scale the studied cloud forest presented a habitat partitioning by species with different ecological strategies due to soil and topographical variations; and, at a regional scale, the evaluated areas showed high floristic-functional variation of the tree component along the altitudinal gradient / O presente estudo teve como principal objetivo entender a organização funcional e taxonômica do componente arbóreo, ao longo de gradientes ambientais em diferentes escalas espaciais, na região do Planalto Sul Catarinense. Informações desta natureza são fundamentais para a definição de planos de conservação, uma vez que permitem inferências sobre as estratégias ecológicas das espécies para se desenvolverem em condições ambientais distintas. Desta forma, esta dissertação foi subdivida em dois capítulos, sendo no primeiro investigadas variações funcionais em pequena escala espacial (≤ 1 ha) em uma Floresta Ombrófila Mista (FOM), com influência nebular, e no segundo avaliada a influência da altitude em escala regional sobre padrões funcionais e florísticos. Para isso, foram selecionados três remanescentes de FOM, situados nos municípios de Urubici (1600 m), São José do Cerrito (900 m) e Capão Alto (700 m), onde foram avaliadas as espécies arbóreas mais abundantes, quanto seus aspectos funcionais [densidade da madeira (DBM), área foliar (AF), área foliar específica (AFE), altura máxima potencial (HMP), regime de renovação foliar e síndrome de dispersão] e taxonômicos. Parte dos dados foram coletados em estudos prévios (Urubici = dados vegetacionais e ambientais, em 25 parcelas de 20 x 20 m; São José do Cerrito = dados vegetacionais, em 50 parcelas de 20x10 m; Capão Alto = dados vegetacionais e funcionais, em 50 parcelas de 20 x 10 m), de forma que os mesmos foram extraídos do banco de dados do Laboratório de Dendrologia, da Universidade do Estado de Santa, para serem incorporados nas análises e meta-análises do presente trabalho. Os dados foram avaliados por meio de técnicas multivariadas (Análise de Componentes Principais, Dendrogramas de dissimilaridade florística e funcional), de regressões lineares simples e de testes não-paramétricos (Kruskall-Wallis e teste post-hoc múltiplo). Os resultados demonstram que, se em pequena escala espacial o gradiente ambiental associado à acidez, fertilidade, textura do solo e declividade influenciou a diversidade funcional, a AF e a DBM, em escala regional, ao longo do gradiente altitudinal, observou-se mudanças em relação ao regime de renovação foliar, síndrome de dispersão, AF, DBM, AFE e HMP. Conclui-se que em pequena escala espacial a floresta nebular estudada apresentou o particionamento de habitats por espécies com estratégias ecológicas distintas, em função de variações edáficas e topográficas; e que ao longo do gradiente altitudinal, em escala regional, as áreas avaliadas apresentaram elevada variação florística-funcional do componente arbóreo

Este estudo investigou a variação altitudinal da comunidade de anfíbios anuros em uma montanha de floresta Atlântica da Ilha Grande, avaliando a ocorrência, distribuição, organização e riqueza de anuros nas diferentes altitudes. Estabelecemos seis faixas de altitude para realização do estudo: 150, 300, 450, 600, 750 e 900 metros acima do nível do mar. Utilizamos duas metodologias de amostragem: o método de parcelas grandes (5 x 5 metros) e o método de transecção, entre janeiro de 2008 e março de 2009. Os dados indicaram que na região de Mata Atlântica do Pico do Papagaio ocorre uma considerável riqueza de espécies de anuros, a qual varia dependendo da faixa de altitude ao longo do gradiente altitudinal do morro. Houve em geral uma tendência a um decréscimo da riqueza com aumento da altitude, com exceção da altitude de 900 metros, onde a riqueza teve um aumento quando comparado à faixa altitudinal imediatamente abaixo. Nossos dados mostram ainda que ao longo de todo o gradiente altitudinal do morro, as maiores riquezas de anuros em geral ocorrem nas faixas de altitudes de 150 e 300 metros. Nossos dados indicaram para a região estudada uma considerável densidade de anuros, que além de variar significativamente entre as estações seca e chuvosa, foi influenciada negativamente pela altitude: na medida em que houve um aumento da altitude ocorreu uma correspondente diminuição na densidade geral de anuros da comunidade componente. A anurofauna da região do Pico do Papagaio apresentou uma queda abrupta na abundância a partir dos 450 metros de altitude, com grande dominância, em termos numéricos, de três espécies com desenvolvimento direto. Nossos dados mostraram haver uma variação sazonal na abundância e, nas densidades de anuros na região do Pico do Papagaio. Concluímos que a região de Mata Atlântica do Pico do Papagaio possui uma elevada riqueza de espécies de anuros, a qual varia ao longo do gradiente altitudinal com os maiores valores de riqueza e abundâncias encontradas entre as faixas de 150 e 300 metros, o que pode ser favorecido pela menor inclinação do terreno, pela maior ocorrência de cursos dágua e pela elevada pluviosidade que ocorre nestas faixas altitudinais na Ilha Grande. A considerável similaridade na comunidade componente de anuros entre as altitudes de 150 e 300 pode resultar da similaridade estrutural da vegetação entre estas faixas de altitudes. A região em geral teve uma alta densidade de anuros, que além de variar sazonalmente, foi negativamente influenciada pela altitude. A observada redução na abundância dos anuros a partir dos 450 metros de altitude pareceu favorecer espécies com desenvolvimento direto. / This study aimed to investigate the altitudinal variation of the community of amphibians in a mountain of Atlantic forest of Ilha Grande, evaluating the occurrence, distribution, organization and richness of frogs at different altitudes. We established six tracks of altitude for the study: 150, 300, 450, 600, 750 and 900 meters above sea level. We use two sampling methods: the method of plots (5 x 5 meters) and the method of transection between January 2008 and March 2009. The data indicated that in the Atlantic forest of Pico do Papagaio there is a considerable richness of frog species, which varies depending on the range of altitude along the altitudinal gradient of the hill. There was a general tendency to a decrease in richness with increasing altitude, except for the altitude of 900 meters, where richness has increased compared to the altitudinal range immediately below. Our data also show that throughout the altitudinal gradient of the hill, the highest frog richness in general occur from 150 to 300 meters. Our data indicated that the density of frogs, varied significantly between the dry and rainy seasons, was negatively influenced by altitude: with an increase in altitude there was a corresponding decrease in overall density of anurans. The frogs in the region of Papagaio showed a sharp drop in abundance above 450 meters, with high dominance, in terms of numbers, of three species with direct development. Our data showed a seasonal variation in the abundances and densities of frogs in the region of Pico do Papagaio. We conclude that the Atlantic Forest region of Pico do Papagaio has a high species richness of frogs, which varies along the altitudinal gradient with the greatest richness and abundance found between 150 and 300 meters, which can be favored by the lower slope, the higher occurrence of water courses and the high rainfall that occurs in these altitudinal zones at Ilha Grande. The considerable similarity in the community component of frogs between the altitudes of 150 and 300 can result from the structural similarity of vegetation between these altitudes. The region in general had a high density of frogs, which also vary seasonally, and was negatively influenced by altitude. The observed reduction in abundance of frogs from 450 meters upward seemed to favor species with direct development.

The aim of the work is an analysis influence of years and altitude above sea levels on the honey production of sample localitys in different altitude above sea levels. For observation of the years 2002{--}2006 was choice five localitys in different altitude above sea levels (472 {--} 650 m). The interaction sea level and year is a determine factor wich influence honey production of one bee colony from 89.77%. On increase sea level about 100 m is speeding of the honey production about 5 kg of one bee colony. Than the direct influence one factor (altitude above sea level, year) is strikinger on the honey production their interaction.

The aim of this thesis was to determine content of - a -bitter acids in samples of hop obtained from different types of growing regions. Object of research were cultivars of Saaz late, Sládek and Premiant cultivated in three growing regions (Žatecko, Úštěcko, Tršicko) in year 2015. Nine hop samples from conventional agriculture and one from bio production were examined. For all growing areas, from which hop cones were obtained, was determined altitude, rainfall and average temperatures during vegetation period. Quantity of bitter acids were measured by HPLC. Our calculated correlation coefficients showed that the higher altitude and average temperature the lower content of bitter acids was measured and more precipitation has positive impact on content of bitter acids.

Submitted by Marco Antônio de Ramos Chagas (mchagas@ufv.br) on 2017-06-08T18:37:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 2424580 bytes, checksum: f8449da6c4bd8299fdf95160067f2702 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-08T18:37:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 2424580 bytes, checksum: f8449da6c4bd8299fdf95160067f2702 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Os campos de altitude são ecossistemas frágeis, que abrigam muitas espécies vulneráveis e susceptíveis à extinção. Para evitar a perda de espécies e manter o funcionamento destes ecossistemas, é preciso conhecer seus aspectos florísticos e ecológicos, e estimar e mapear a diversidade biológica. No entanto, tais características ainda são pouco investigadas. Assim, os objetivos desta dissertação foram (i) caracterizar a comunidade de plantas (florística e formas-de-vida) em diferentes intervalos altitudinais de uma área de campo de altitude, (ii) detectar espécies associadas a altitudes específicas, (iii) avaliar como a riqueza de espécies se relaciona com a escala espacial considerada, (iv) estimar a contribuição relativa da substituição espacial e do aninhamento de espécies para gerar a diversidade de plantas na região e (v) avaliar a influência da altitude sobre os padrões espaciais de diversidade. As coletas foram realizadas no Parque Nacional do Caparaó, no entorno da trilha que leva até o Pico da Bandeira. Foram definidos quatro intervalos altitudinais para as coletas: de 2100 a 2150 m, de 2300 m a 2350 m, de 2500 m a 2550 m, e de 2700 a 2750 m. Em cada intervalo, foram estabelecidas cinco parcelas (5 x 3 m), nas quais foi realizado o levantamento florístico de todas as espécies presentes com as respectivas abundâncias. A ocorrência de apenas quatro espécies foi inversamente relacionada à altitude, enquanto a ocorrência de 13 espécies apresentou relação direta com a elevação. A maior parte das espécies com maior probabilidade de ocorrência em maiores elevações é restrita a áreas de elevada altitude no Brasil. Rubiaceae e Polygalaceae foram as únicas famílias com maior probabilidade de ocorrência em maiores altitudes, e todos os representantes destas famílias apresentaram traços típicos de adaptação às condições locais, como gemas próximas ou no nível do solo e folhas pequenas e coriáceas. A diversidade de plantas é gerada principalmente pela substituição espacial de espécies, e processos interativos que operam em grandes escalas espaciais parecem ser os mais determinantes para a grande riqueza de espécies amostrada. A comparação dos espectros vegetacionais de cada intervalo altitudinal revelou alterações significativas na estrutura da vegetação em todos os intervalos, porém sem padrão aparente. A extrapolação da riqueza observada pelo índice Bootstrap com 999 permutações apontou maior riqueza de espécies a 2500 m, altitude esta que correspondeu à zona de transição entre duas subcomunidades distribuídas ao longo do gradiente com dissimilaridade superior a 80%. O intervalo altitudinal mais elevado apresentou grande número de espécies indicadoras e menor diversidade do que os outros intervalos altitudinais, o que sugere forte influência das condições ambientais mais restritivas de maiores elevações sobre a composição de espécies e sobre os padrões espaciais de diversidade. / High altitude grasslands are fragile ecosystems that host many vulnerable and extinction-prone species. In order to prevent species loss and maintain these ecosystem’s functioning, one must know, for instance, its floristic and ecological features, and to estimate and map diversity. However, these characteristics are still poorly studied. Accordingly, the main objectives of this study were (i) to characterize the plant community (floristic and life forms) in several altitudinal belts of a high altitude grassland area, (ii) to detect species associated to particular altitudes, (iii) to assess the relationship between species richness and the spatial scale taken into account, (iv) to estimate the relative contribution of turnover and nestedness to generate diversity therein and (v) to evaluate the influence of the altitude upon diversity spatial patterns. Sampling was held on the surroundings of the track that leads to the Flag Peak, in National Park of Caparaó. Plots were established in four altitudinal belts: from 2100 m to 2150 m, from 2300 to 2350 m, from 2500 to 2550 m and from 2700 to 2750 m. In each altitudinal belt, five plots (5 x 3 m) were set to proceed with a floristic survey and abundance records on all species. Only four species’ occurrence was negatively related to the altitude, whilst 13 species had higher occurrence probability in higher elevations. Most of the species with occurrence directly related to the altitude were restricted to high altitude areas in Brazil. Rubiaceae and Polygalaceae were the only families more likely to occur in higher altitudes, and all species belonging to both families had typical adaptation traits to local environmental conditions, such as buds close to the soil or at ground level and small leaves somewhat coriaceous. Species turnover is the main process generating diversity therein and regional processes seem to be the most important to determine the observed species richness, which was higher than expected by chance. Vegetation spectra changed significantly among all altitudinal belts, indicating big variations in vegetation structure all along the studied gradient. Extrapolation of species richness through Bootstrap index with 999 permutations indicated higher expected species richness at 2500 m. This altitudinal belt corresponded to the transition zone between two subcomunities distributed along the gradient with dissimilarity in species composition higher than 80%. The highest altitudinal belt showed a big number of indicator species and smaller diversity then all other belts. These results highlight the influence of limiting environmental conditions predominant in higher altitudes upon species composition and diversity spatial patterns.

Submitted by Nathália Faria da Silva (nathaliafsilva.ufv@gmail.com) on 2017-07-19T14:08:52Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.PDF: 938401 bytes, checksum: 1a334d28da74f16445f0f193d63f6358 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-19T14:08:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.PDF: 938401 bytes, checksum: 1a334d28da74f16445f0f193d63f6358 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2001-08-09 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / A caracterização de 46 indivíduos de Bidens pilosa, coletados em nove altitudes, foi realizada a partir de sete sistemas enzimáticos, utilizando-se a eletroforese em géis de amido a 12%. As enzimas fosfatase ácida, α-esterase, β- esterase, glutamato oxaloacetato transaminase, peroxidase, chiquimato desidrogenase e superóxido dismutase foram analisadas e apresentaram elevado polimorfismo. diferentes As altitudes. variações ocorreram Utilizando-se da entre matriz indivíduos de de mesma dissimilaridade ou obtida de pelo Complemento Aritmético do Índice de Similaridade de Jaccard, agruparam-se os indivíduos pelo Método de Otimização de Tocher e formaram-se dez grupos. Seis genótipos pertencentes a grupos isozimáticos distintos, representando as altitudes 210, 450, 475, 675, 950 e 1.150 m, foram propagados vegetativamente, em cultura de tecidos, obtendo-se clones. Esses foram padronizados, aclimatados e serviram ao estudo da plasticidade fenotípica da influência da altitude em plantas crescidas em vasos em quatro altitudes: 198, 479, 739 e 962 m e os resultados avaliados em quatro colheitas baseadas nos estádios reprodutivos. O início de florescimento variou entre os genótipos mantidos em uma altitude, bem como no mesmo genótipo em cada altitude. A primeira época de colheita de cada genótipo, em cada altitude, foi iniciada 14 dias após a constatação de que 50% de suas plantas estavam floridas. A partir dessa colheita seguiram-se as demais, sendo mantidos representativas intervalos dos regulares estádios de reprodutivos: 14 dias entre florescimento, as colheitas, essas início de frutificação, frutificação plena e senescência. As plantas de cada estádio serviram ao estudo da plasticidade fenotípica. Esse estudo foi feito por meio de caracteres morfométricos, de fitofármacos e anatômicos. Os estudos anatômicos foram feitos apenas no estádio de senescência. Os objetivos foram de identificar os efeitos da altitude sobre estes caracteres e estimar a magnitude e o padrão de resposta dos genótipos às altitudes testadas, bem como obter o coeficiente de coincidência (CCo) entre a resposta à altitude semelhante à de coleta e correlacionar as respostas das características com as variáveis climáticas. Os caracteres morfométricos analisados foram altura da planta, comprimento do caule, número de ramos, número de capítulos, massa seca caulinar, biomassa seca aérea, valor de SPAD foliar, número de folhas por planta, área foliar por planta, área foliar média, massa seca foliar e número de folhas em 1 grama. A análise de fitofármacos das folhas foi feita em extratos etanólicos (80%) submetidos à cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Foram identificados e quantificados o ácido clorogênico e o ácido caféico e sua porcentagem na massa seca foliar. Foram obtidas correlações entre as características e os fatores climáticos das altitudes, como temperaturas (máxima e mínima), pluviosidade e capacidade evaporativa do ar. O estudo anatômico foi feito com folhas, analisando a espessura foliar total, espessura do parênquima paliçádico, do parênquima lacunoso, do mesofilo, das epidermes e as relações percentuais entre os tecidos analisados. Obteve-se correlação entre as características anatômicas e climáticas como pressão atmosférica, umidade relativa do ar e luminosidade. Pelos estimadores da plasticidade as altitudes influenciam a resposta morfométrica, de fitofármacos e anatômica e cada genótipo apresentou resposta de acordo com a altitude. Pelo CCo os caracteres morfométricos, de fitofármacos e anatômicos coincidiram em cerca de 53, 45 e 50%, respectivamente, com a resposta à altitude semelhante à de coleta, indicando adaptação intermediária (CCo compreendendo o intervalo de 25 a 75%). A magnitude e o padrão de plasticidade foram específicos em cada genótipo, e nos caracteres morfométricos e de fitofármacos diferiram dentro do mesmo genótipo em função do estádio reprodutivo. Estimou-se que cerca de 83, 76 e 60% da variação morfométrica, de fitofármacos e anatômica, respectivamente, foram devido ao efeito da altitude. Houve variação de fitofármacos entre as altitudes, sendo que na maior altitude (962 m) ocorreu maior acúmulo de ácido clorogênico e na menor altitude (198 m) ocorreu maior acúmulo de ácido caféico. O ácido clorogênico e o ácido caféico tiveram correlação negativa com a temperatura e a evaporação e positiva com a pluviosidade. O aumento da pressão atmosférica e da umidade relativa e a diminuição da luminosidade promovem a diminuição da espessura dos tecidos foliares, sendo o parênquima lacunoso o mais afetado. Conclui-se que a altitude influencia na plasticidade fenotípica e que o estudo da plasticidade em plantas medicinais é importante na seleção de genótipos que possuam adequado crescimento e produção de fitofármacos, servindo na obtenção de plantas medicinais padronizadas, o que auxilia na determinação das doses terapêuticas a serem empregadas medicinalmente. / The characterization of 46 individuals of Bidens pilosa, collected in nine altitudes, was held with seven enzymatic systems, using starch gel electrophoresis 12%. The acid phosphatase, α-esterase, β-esterase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, peroxidase, shikimate dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase enzymes were analyzed and presented high level polymorphism. The variations occurred among individuals of the same or different altitudes. Using the dissimilarity matrix obtained by Jaccard Arithmetics Complement of Similarity Index, the individuals were put into ten groups organized by Tocher’s Optimization Method. Six genotypes pertaining to distinct isozimatic groups, representing the altitudes 210, 450, 475, 675, 950 and 1.150 m, were vegetatively spread in a tissue culture, obtaining clones. These tissues were standardized, acclimatized and served to the phenotypic plasticity study of the altitude influence in grown plants in vases, in four altitudes: 198, 479, 739 and 962 m, and the evaluated results in four harvests based in reproductive stages. The blooming beginning varied among the genotypes kept in an altitude, just like the same genotype in each altitude. The first harvesting period of each genotype, in each altitude, was iniciated 14 days after observing that 50% of the plants were flourished. After this harvest, the others happened, but the 14 days regular breaks were kept between the harvests and these are representing reproductive stages: blooming, initial frutification, total frutification and senescence. The plants of each stage served to the phenotypic plasticity study. This study was done using morphometric, phytopharmac and anatomic characters. The anatomic studies were done only in the senescence stage. The objectives were to identificate the altitude effects in the characters and to estimate the magnitude and the response pattern of genotypes to the tested altitudes and to obtain the coincidence coefficient (CCo) between the same altitude response and the collecting response and to correlate these responses with the climatic variations responses. The analysed morphometric characters were the plant height, the stem length, the branch number, the flower-head number, the stem dry matter, the aerial dry biomass, the leaf SPAD value, the leaves number in each plant, the total leaves area per plant, the average leaf area, the dry leaf mass and the leaves number in 1 gram. The leaves phytopharmac analysis was done in ethanolic extracts (80%) submitted to high performance liquid chromatography. The chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid were identificated and quantificated and also their percentage in dry leaf mass. Correlations between characteristics and altitudes climate factors were obtained, like temperatures (maximum and minimum), pluviosity and the evaporative air capacity. The anatomic study was done analyzing the total leaf thickness, palisade parenchyma thickness, lacunary parenchyma thickness, mesophyll thickness, epidermis thickness and the percentual relations among the analyzed tissues. The correlation between the anatomic characteristics and climatic ones like atmospheric pressure, relative air humidity and luminosity were obtained. By the plasticity estimator the morphometric, phytopharmac and anatomic responses were influenced by the altitude and each genotype presented a response according to its altitude. According CCo the morphometric, phytopharmac and the anatomic characters coincided around 53, 45 and 50%, respectively, with the altitude response similar to the collect one indicating an intermediate adaptation (CCo interval comprehended between 25 and 75%). The magnitude and morphometric plasticity and pattern phytopharmac were specific characters in variations each genotype differed in and the in same genotype due to the reproductive stage. Estimative numbers of the 83, 76 e 60% of the morphometric, phytopharmac and anatomic variation, respectively, were due to the altitude effects. There was phytopharmac variation among the altitudes and in the higher one (962 m) there was a higher accumulation of the chlorogenic acid and in the lowest altitude (198 m) there was a higher accumulation of the caffeic acid. The chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid had negative correlation with the temperature and the evaporation, but positive correlation with pluviosity. The atmospheric pressure increased, the relative air humidity increased and the luminosity decrease promoted a decrease on the thickness of the leaves tissues with the lacunary parenchyma the most affected. As a conclusion, the altitude influences the phenotypic plasticity, and the plasticity study in medicinal plants is important in selecting genotypes that have a suitable growing and phytopharmac production, serving in the obtension of standardized medicinal plants, and this helps to determine the therapeuthic doses to be used medicinally.