Deficiência de pesquisas sobre briófitas no Estado do Maranhão: Implicações ecológicas e científicas

Abstract

The present research aimed to investigate and catalog the scientific production on bryophytes in the state of Maranhão, from 2013 to 2023, using a systematic approach that encompasses various sources of publications, from recognized databases to gray and white literature. The goal was to provide a comprehensive overview of the studies, contributions from researchers, and species records in a regional context. Final course projects, technical reports, dissertations, theses, and journal articles from Maranhão were collected from the collection of the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA) and the Botany Laboratory. The platforms of the Brazilian Institute of Information in Science and Technology and the Thesis Bank of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) were also accessed using terms similar to those of the first stage. It was found that the state of Maranhão has experienced a notable increase in interest and scientific production on bryophytes in the last ten years, as evidenced by the growth in publications in this area. This advancement reflects a global trend of valuing the study of traditionally less explored taxonomic groups, which play a fundamental role in maintaining and balancing ecosystems. However, even though Maranhão has consolidated an upward research trajectory, the number of records and studies remains below when compared to other Brazilian regions and other taxonomic groups.