Projects

Coordinator: Dr. Luiza F. A. de Paula
Funding: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)  -  314804/2025-0; 446258/2024-5
Partners: Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil), University of Pernambuco (Brazil), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil), State University of Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil), Federal Institute of Minas Gerais (Brazil), University of Rostock (Germany), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (United Kingdom), Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Research Institute (Brazil), National Institute of the Atlantic Forest (Brazil) and Inhotim Institute (Brazil)

Objectives: This project investigates the origin, evolution, diversity patterns and conservation of plant communities associated with Atlantic Forest inselbergs. By integrating phylogenetics, biogeography, functional ecology and climate change research, the project seeks to understand how these unique terrestrial islands were assembled and how their biodiversity can be conserved in the future

PhD candidate: Fernanda Gondim Lambert Moreira

Advisor: Dr. Fernanda Antunes Carvalho, Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil)
Co-advisor: Dr. Luiza F. A. de Paula, Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil)
Funding: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes) -  
Partners: Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil), Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil), Federal University of Pernambuco (Brazil)

Objectives: This project investigates the diversity, biogeography and conservation of Neotropical inselberg floras, with a particular focus on the Caatinga, which harbors one of the world's highest concentrations of inselbergs yet remains poorly studied. The research combines large-scale floristic inventories, evolutionary biogeography and conservation assessments to better understand the diversity and evolution of plant communities associated with these isolated rocky outcrops. Major outcomes include the development of the first comprehensive checklist of Caatinga inselberg flora, biogeographic analyses of angiosperm lineages associated with tropical inselbergs, and the first inventory of alien plant species recorded on inselbergs of the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest

PhD candidate: Lucas Anônio Barreira, Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Research Institute (Brazil)

Advisor:  Dr. Eimear Nic Lughadha, Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Research Institute (Brazil), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (United Kingdom)
Co-advisor: Dr. Luiza F. A. de Paula, Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil)
Funding: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes) -  88887.719873/2022-00 - Acordo CAPES JBRJ 2022
Partners: Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Research Institute (Brazil), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (United Kingdom), Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil)

Objectives: This project investigates how dynamic environmental processes, such as landslides, rockfalls, erosion and other geomorphological hazards, influence the persistence of plant species in mountain ecosystems. By integrating ecology, biogeography, conservation science and geospatial analyses, the project evaluates whether these natural disturbances represent overlooked drivers of extinction risk. The results aim to improve conservation assessments and provide new insights into the vulnerability of mountain floras under ongoing environmental change in the Anthropocene

Master candidate: Hugo Garcia,  State University of Ceará (UECE), Brazil 

Advisor:  Dr. Frederico de Holanda Bastos,  State University of Ceará (UECE), Brazil
Co-advisor: Dr. Luiza F. A. de Paula, Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil)
Funding: Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (FUNCAP)
Partners:  State University of Ceará (UECE), Brazil , Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil)

Objectives: This project focuses on investigating the relationship between phytogeomorphological features and plant distribution on the inselbergs of Quixeramobim, Ceará, Brazil. His work seeks to understand how geomorphological and environmental factors influence vegetation composition and spatial patterns in these unique rocky outcrop ecosystems

Coordinator: Dr. Luiza F. A. de Paula, Dr. Peggy Fiedler 

Funding: The Red List Project (TRLP)

Partners: The Red List Project (USA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil)

Objectives: This project focuses on the conservation and sustainable appreciation of the unique flora of Sugarloaf Land, a global hotspot of lowland inselberg biodiversity located in southeastern Brazil. By integrating biodiversity inventories, conservation assessments, ecological research and ex situ conservation, the project aims to identify priority species for conservation. Particular attention is given to fragrant, endemic and threatened plant species with the potential to serve as ambassadors for biodiversity conservation. Through partnerships with the fragrance industry, the initiative seeks to develop innovative conservation models that connect science, culture and sustainable financing, generating long-term support for the protection of Sugarloaf Land ecosystems and their unique plant diversity

Coordinator: Dr. Luiza F. A. de Paula, Dr. Peggy Fiedler 

Funding: The Red List Project (TRLP)

Partners: The Red List Project (USA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil), Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden of UFMG (Brazil), Inhotim Institute, Araçá Project (Brazil), The Antonelli Foundation for Biodiversity Research and Conservation, Blocki Perfumes (USA)

Objectives: This project focuses on the conservation of Alstroemeria caryophyllaea (Alstroemeriaceae), a threatened and fragrant species endemic to the Atlantic Forest and widely valued as an ornamental plant. By integrating field surveys, conservation assessments, seed banking, plant propagation and ex situ conservation, the project aims to support the development of an IUCN Red List assessment and long-term conservation strategies for the species. Research activities also include evaluating the impacts of climate change on the future distribution and extinction risk of the Alstroemeria species, as part of the MSc research conducted by Theo Karam at the Federal University of Minas Gerais. In parallel, the initiative promotes innovative partnerships with the fragrance industry, including the development of the fragrance Brazilian Lily by Blocki Perfumes, with a portion of product sales supporting conservation actions for the species and its habitat. The project is also linked to the Araçá Project, an initiative dedicated to Atlantic Forest conservation.

Coordinator: Dr. Luiza F. A. de Paula, Dr. Peggy Fiedler 

Funding: The Red List Project (TRLP)

Partners: The Red List Project (USA), Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil), Zoobotanical Foundation of Belo Horizonte (Brazil), Baruti Perfumes (Netherlands), Empório Laszlo (Brazil)

Objectives: This project focuses on the conservation of Griffinia gardneriana (Brazilian Lily)(Amaryllidaceae), a threatened and fragrant endemic species from the Caatinga in northeastern Brazil. By integrating field surveys, conservation assessments, seed banking, plant propagation and ex situ conservation, the project aims to support the development of an IUCN Red List assessment and long-term conservation strategies for the species. In parallel, the initiative promotes innovative partnerships with the fragrance industry, including the development of a perfume inspired by the natural scent of the Caatinga Lily by Baruti Perfumes, as well as educational materials and conservation-focused products that help raise awareness and generate financial support for biodiversity conservation in the Caatinga