Floristic survey and palynological study in areas under the influence of the Fundão dam rupture in Mariana, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, with the objective of developing meliponiculture as an environmental recovery strategy

Abstract

This study aimed to carry out a floristic survey in areas under influence of the rupture of the Fundão ore tailings dam, in the municipality of Mariana, Minas Gerais State, with the objective of pointing out potentially important species for meliponiculture production chain and contributing to the reintroduction of native plant species in the areas impacted by the mud. The survey was conducted in six sites, being three affected and three not affected by dam rupture. The collection of botanical material was carried out during ten months, between 2017 and 2018. The species were identified by a specialist and additional information regarding their life-form, phenology, popular name, floral resource availability, origin and endemism were obtained. The data obtained were systematized in a table, including the accession number of the Department of Botany Herbarium (Herbarium BHCB) from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, where the vourchers were deposited. The survey was supplemented with a Phototeca containing photographs of acetolyzed pollen grains that were organized in three Brazilian Palynothecas. As a result, 153 plant species were collected, divided into 32 botanical families. The most representative families in both sites studied were Asteraceae and Fabaceae. It is recommended to replant the affected areas with several species of various families, considering that they are of great importance for native bees and for economic use and income generation through meliponiculture.