Ecology of Byrsonima cydoniifolia A. Juss. (Malpighiaceae) monodominant stands under the influence of flood, fire, and cattle

• Plant richness and basal area are affected by fire and cattle, but not flooding • B. cydoniifolia density reaches its maximum at areas with medium intensity flooding • Local men tend to know more than women about B. cydoniifolia fire/flood ecology • Farm residents view B. cydoniifolia more negatively than local communities people Monodominant stands are common landscapes in Pantanal wetlands. Among such formations, we highlight canjiqueirais, stands of canjiqueira ( Byrsonima cydoniifolia A.Juss. – Malpighiaceae), a shrub/treelet considered undesirable by cattle ranchers. This study aims to analyze how fire and flood events and livestock raising affect plants density, basal area and height at canjiqueirais. Using satellite imagery, we selected canjiqueirais in the Pantanal of Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, analyzing how many wildfire episodes had occurred between 2000 and 2021, and sampling 26 areas. Within each area, 4 plots were established, and field measurements tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH) and fire and watermarks measured were included. Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) was investigated through interviews conducted with residents of two local communities and five local farms aiming to elicit how canjiqueiras respond to fire, flooding and cattle grazing. Responses were categorized according to place of residence, gender, age, and length of residence in the region. Vegetation analysis led to the conclusions that water limits B. cydoniifolia presence and fire events and cattle grazing decrease basal area of branches. None of these factors affected other species found in canjiqueirais. Based on LEK analysis, inhabitants consider canjiqueiras able to withstand flooding and resprout after fire events, consistently to data found in vegetation analysis. Local inhabitants shared similar understanding of the ecological characteristics of this plant, although women were less aware of its ability to survive fire and flood than men. Also, the plant is viewed in a less favorable light by farm residents compared to those from communities.