In a significant conservation effort, specialists in Tocantins, Brazil, have successfully reintroduced the critically endangered Bromelia braunii into its natural habitat. This rare species of bromeliad, native to the rocky cerrado, faced habitat loss from mining activities and other factors.
The project, a collaboration between the Naturatins Institute and the State University of Tocantins (Unitins), involved reproducing seedlings of Bromelia braunii and Bromelia magnifica in the laboratory. These seedlings were then carefully replanted in the cerrado region, specifically in the southeast of the state. The team is also monitoring the recovery, growth, and health of the reintroduced plants.
The reintroduction process, part of the Territorial Action Plan for the Conservation of Threatened Cerrado Species (PAT Cerrado Tocantins), included seed collection, sterilization, germination, and acclimatization. The project aims to introduce around 50 seedlings by 2025. The reintroduction is a crucial step in preserving this unique species and its role in the ecosystem, and efforts are underway to foster the long-term growth and sustainability of the Bromelia braunii population.