Abstract:The aim of this study was to characterize galls of three species of the Copaifera genus (C. sabulicola, C. luetzelburgii and C. depilis), which occur sympatrically in a Cerrado area from Bahia state. A total of 23 gall morphotypes were found, 9 morphotypes on C. sabulicola, 7 on C. luetzelburgii and 7 on C. depilis. Galls predominated on leaves and stems. The most abundant colours found among galls were brown and green. Regarding the period of the year, from 35,511 leaflets analysed, 16,322 were collected in the dry season and 19,189 in the rainy season. In the dry season, 1,635 leaflets having galls were observed, and the highest proportion was observed on C. luetzelburgii (16.31%). In relation to the rainy season, there is statistical difference in the incidence of leaflets with galls between C. sabulicola and C. depilis, these two species are affected differently during the rainy season. In general, most of the gall morphotypes were more abundant in the dry season. The gallers of 18 morphotypes cannot be determined, because the gall samples were collected occupied by parasitoids or without dwellers. Cecidomyiids induced galls in five morphotypes. Associated invertebrates belonging to the orders Hymenoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera and Acari were found among all gall morphotypes. The results obtained here indicate that the three species of Copaifera have an expressive number of galls, but lower than reported in the literature for C. langsdorffii, which is considered a super host. Keywords

A central argument in the research on traditional knowledge, which persists in the scientific literature, is that the entrance of exotic plants in local medical systems is directly associated with acculturation. However, this logic has put an end for a long period to efforts to understand why such species have so successfully entered socio-ecological systems or even their real role in such systems. This study provides evidence that (1) in some socio-environmental contexts, exotic medicinal species usually confer greater adaptive advantages to local populations, and (2) despite their general importance, exotic species only excel in medical systems when cost-benefit ratio is favorable to them. Thus, in order to avoid the loss of knowledge about native plants and to ensure biocultural conservation, it is necessary to create strategies to amplify the advantages of these species.

Background Ethnobotanical research has demonstrated that several wild food plants (WFP) are used for medicinal purposes. Therefore, in addition to constituting an important source of nutrients, WFP can be used to help treat and avoid health problems. This study sought to characterize the traditional use of plants considered simultaneously as food and medicine by local specialists in the community of Caeté-Açu, which borders Chapada Diamantina National Park (NE Brazil). We also sought to identify the variables that influence the species’ cultural importance. Methods We selected local specialists based on a snowball sample and used a free-listing technique to register the wild plants they knew that are both edible and medicinal. Then, we asked the specialists to rank each plant component cited according to the following attributes: (1) ease of acquisition, (2) taste, (3) smell, (4) nutritional value, and (5) medicinal value. We used multiple regression to determine the variables that influence the cultural salience. Results The most culturally salient species was Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis. The main medicinal effects associated with this species were related to body strengthening, intestinal regulation, and stomach issues. The most salient used species were those that were easiest to acquire and had the highest perceived nutritional values. Conclusion It is likely that the sociocultural backgrounds of the respondents (elders, former miners, or descendants of miners) and the historical importance of wild food plants to local diets increased the predictive power of the perceived nutritional importance and ease of acquisition of these plants.

Th e ethnobotanical literature lacks joint analyses of the factors that may infl uence the diff erential use of medicinal plants. Th is study intends to fi ll that void by evaluating the local criteria for the diff erential use of medicinal plants in a rural community in Northeastern Brazil. We chose two health problems (infl uenza and constipation) characterized as diseases by local (emic) classifi cation to address the following hypotheses: (1) the most important medicinal plants are easier to acquire; (2) the most important medicinal plants are perceived as being more effi cient; and (3) the most important medicinal plants taste better (greater palatability). Th e plants mentioned in interviews were ranked according to the perception of their use (dependent variable), the diffi culty of their acquisition, their taste and their effi ciency (independent variables). Th e perceived effi ciency explained the use of medicinal plants for both diseases, while taste explained the use only for constipation. Th e fi nal models for 'infl uenza' contained only effi ciency, while those for 'constipation' contained all three variables. Th ese fi ndings indicate that medicinal categories many not be homogeneous and that diff erent targets may be infl uenced by diff erent variables.

ResumoO trabalho buscou estudar o desempenho do tratamento da água de uma estação de tratamento de água (ETA), por meio da análise de seus procedimentos operacionais e da qualidade da água. Foram realizadas análises estatísticas dos dados de turbidez, cor e pH. O tratamento é feito em ciclo completo e a água provém de um rio. Em relação às características climáticas, a região apresenta período seco e chuvoso. Quando se compara os dois períodos, observa-se uma diferença significativa nas características da água bruta, o que acarreta consequências ao tratamento, alterando a utilização ou não de coagulantes químicos e a frequência na lavagem dos filtros. Portanto, foi observado que as precipitações ocorridas trouxeram consequências diretas à qualidade da água bruta e indiretas ao tratamento, o que mostrou serem necessárias adequações na ETA, para melhorar a qualidade da água tratada e o desempenho do processo. Palavras-chave: Turbidez, Tratamento de água, Processo de filtração. AbstractThis paper studied the performance of a Water Treatment Plant (WTP) to the water quality, basing in analysis made in the operational procedures and water quality. Statistical analysis of pH, color and turbidity data were performed. The treatment is done in complete cycle and the water of this WTP comes from of a river. Regarding the climatic conditions, the region presents periods of dry and raining seasons. Comparing these periods, it noticed a significant difference in the features of the raw water, what bring consequences for the treatment such as the use or not of chemical coagulants and the frequency filters washing. Therefore, it was noticed that the occurrence of precipitations brought direct consequences for the quality of the raw water and indirect consequences for the treatment. This study showed the necessity of adjustment in the general work of the WTP to improve the quality of the treated water and the process performance.