Scientific Research and Production

Scientific Research and Production

Scientific Research and Production

Vale Natural Reserve is a center for scientific knowledge that, for decades, has brought together researchers from several fields to develop, in its 23 thousand hectares, important studies on biodiversity conservation in the country. To support some of these studies, the Reserve houses a broad entomological collection, with several insect species, and a herbarium, with plant collections.

Learn more about those areas and how to submit new research projects.

Entomological Collection

Vale Natural Reserve’s entomological collection started in 1986. Today, the collection has almost 12,600 insect specimens from several groups. Most of them are dry-preserved using entomological pins, but there are also insects on mats.

The collected specimens are greatly relevant for the development of researches in Ecology, Biogeography, Taxonomy, Agriculture, and Biodiversity Conservation. It is also used as a teaching tool for Environmental Education.

1.500Identified Species

12.600Insects Specimens

This collection is available for researches and those interested in developing studies from it. Collection data is being digitized and will be available online on the speciesLink network soon.

Herbarium

More than 16.000plant samples

Reference in the study of the flora of the northern trays of Espírito Santo.

Herbariums are plant collections with dry-preserved flowers, fruits, and spores. Each sample is known as exsiccatum. Through herbariums, it is possible to learn about the diversity of plant species from a specific region.

Vale Natural Reserve’s herbarium started in 1963 and its collection has 16,150 exsiccata from several plant groups.

Data on the exsiccata are available online on speciesLink network, SiBBr (Brazilian branch of GBIF), Reflora, Virtual Herbarium of Flora and Fungi (INCT – Herbário Virtual da Flora e dos Fungos), and Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).

Rare species

The scientific collections of Vale Natural Reserve have a wide diversity of species, including rare and endangered species. Among the samples of plants preserved in the Herbarium, the tree called Jueirana-facão (Dinizia jueirana-facao) stands out, a rare and threatened specie, found exclusively in the Atlantic Forest of Tabuleiro in Espírito Santo. The tree can reach 40 meters in height and weigh about 62 tons.

Regarding the Entomological Collection, one of the specimens in the collection also considered to be threatened is the ant Dinoponera lucida, popularly known as Tocandira. This species is endemic to the Atlantic Forest. Tocandira calls attention for its size: the ant can reach up to 4 cm in length.

The presence of these specimens in our collection reinforces the importance of scientific collections as a database for the development of strategic research aimed at the conservation of biodiversity.

Meliponiculture

Vale Natural Reserve has a collection of bee hives of different species. It works as an important environmental tool, because bees have a direct participation in the reproduction of most Brazilian botanical species and are an important bioindicator for the analysis of the quality of the environment. Learn more about the species below.

Mosquitinho

Mosquitinho (Plebeia sp.):

It is also known as “Inhati” and “Mirim-Guaçú”, it can be found in the states of Bahia, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo. This bee is meek and small, measuring only about 3 millimeters long. Their nests are commonly found in hollows of trees and ravines. It is estimated that the colonies of these bees can present from 2,000 to 3,000 individuals.​

Jataí

Jataí (Tetragonisca angustula):

Stingless bee species found in all regions of Brazil. It has a small body, measuring around 4 millimeters in length. Their nests are built in pre-existing cavities such as holes in the walls, tree hollows, and ravines. At the entrance of their nests is common to observe a structure similar to a “tube”, built from wax or cerumen. This structure contributes to colony protection. Honey from these bees has several medicinal benefits and is considered the most hygienic honey compared to that produced by other bee species. Moreover, it is widely used in folk medicine.​

Uruçu-amarela

Uruçu-amarela (Melipona mondury):

It is commonly found in Atlantic Forest fragments of the states of Bahia, Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Paraná, and Santa Catarina. This bee has a larger body size compared to “Mosquitinho” and “Jataí”, ranging from 10 to 12 mm in length. Their nests are built in hollow trees and have a typical entrance, all surrounded by streaks of clay. This entry is safeguarded by a single worker.​

Submitting Research Projects

The Reserve welcomes researchers and partners who develop projects that aim to promote scientific knowledge and social engagement, stimulating – through environmental education – awareness and multipliers who foster sustainability.

To submit projects and learn more about the Vale Natural Reserve’s researches, contact us.

E-mail: rnv.pesquisas@vale.com

Phone: +55 (27) 3371-9701

Localização

Localização

Rodovia BR 101, KM 122
Linhares, Espírito Santo, Brasil

  • Distance between
    the main capitals

    162.3 km from Vitória (ES)

    686 km from Rio de Janeiro (RJ)

    632 km from Belo Horizonte (MG)

  • Opening hours

    Every day,

    from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

  • Contact

    Visitation:

    +55 (27) 3371-9702

    +55 (27) 3371-9703

    Accommodation:

    +55 (27) 3371-9797

    +55 (27) 3371-9799

    reservas.rnv@vale.com

    Research:

    +55 (27) 3371-9701

    mv.pesquisas@vale.com