Dr Ana Claudia Araujo
Research Assistant, NERC Landscapes
Division: LS Algae, Fungi and Plants Division
Summary
My professional history started back in Brazil, first as a high school teacher, then a University lecturer, and I have over 30 years’ experience with herbarium collections, collecting and identifying flowering plant species in diverse vegetation, with a focus on the tropics and particularly the Neotropics. During years of extensive fieldwork, identification and writing flora accounts I have become an international expert on Cyperaceae (the sedge family).
Alongside my knowledge of sedges, I have also developed interests in the taxonomy of Fabaceae (the bean family), Myrtaceae (the guava family) and Poaceae (the grass family). My studies of alpha taxonomy and phylogeny have given me a deeper understanding of plant evolution and vegetation diversity which, in turn, is now applied to plant conservation. In recent years I have been involved in assessments of threatened plant species on a global scale to help produce a sampled Red List Index (SRLI) for plants (including non-flowering plants).
My taxonomic experience has proved highly valuable for accurate conservation assessments, categorizing synonymies, and recognizing accepted species that were rare or poorly known. Currently I am helping develop techniques to automate the gathering of taxonomic and plant morphology information that can be used to predict the degradation of vegetation and extinction of biodiversity, and the impact of climate change and pollution on the planet.
Throughout my career I have often spoken to very diverse audiences, giving talks and courses, at regional and international levels. One of my great pleasures is direct contact with the public, particularly with younger generations: helping to build the future is what encourages me to go the extra mile, the motivation to apply my expertise to the conservation of our planet.
Qualifications
- PhD, Sao Paulo University, Botany, 1996 - 2001
- MSc., Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Botany, 1990 - 1993
- Bachelor degree Biology Science, Federal University of Agriculture, Brazil, 1988 - 1988
Degrees
Employment history
- Post-graduate, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Botany, Brazil, 2006 - 2008
- Curator, Herbario Barbosa Rodrigues, Fitoteca, Brazil, 1993 - 1995
- Lecturer, Universidade do Vale Itajai, Science, Brazil, 1993 - 2007
- Lecturer, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Botany, Brazil, 1989 - 1989
- Lecturer, Botany, University Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil, 1989 - 1989
- Teacher, State Institution of Education, Brazil, 1989 - 1989
Academic
Non-academic
Assistant Botanist, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Herbarium, Library and Archives, 2008 - 2012
Grants
Simulating UK plant biodiversity under climate change to aid landscape decision making
Role: Principal investigatorBrummitt NA
Funding: NERC
Total value £293,306 (to Museum £176,387)
Dates: 2020 - 2022
The interplay of land-use, climate and plant biodiversity on the UK stage
Role: Principal investigatorReeve R
Co-investigator: Brummitt N
Funding: NERC
Total value £49,925 (to Museum £1,000)
Dates: 2019 - 2020
Plants Under Pressure II: the next generation of biodiversity indicators for plants
Role: Principal investigatorBrummitt N
Co-investigator: Purvis A
Funding: Foundation Prince Albert II De Monaco
Total value £300,000 (to Museum £300,000)
Dates: 2018 - 2021
Establishing a conservation baseline for the world's bryophytes, as part of the Sampled Red List Index (SRLI) for Plants
Role: Principal investigatorBrummitt NA
Funding: Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund
Total value £24,000 (to Museum £24,000)
Dates: 2017 - 2017
Ensuring the survival of Klein's rib-less orchid in Brazil’s remaining Atlantic forest
Role: Principal investigatorBrummitt NA
Co-investigator: Araujo AC
Funding: Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund
Total value £7,000 (to Museum £7,000)
Dates: 2015 - 2017
Plants Under Pressure
Role: Principal investigatorBrummitt N
Funding: Foundation Prince Albert II De Monaco
Total value £290,000 (to Museum £290,000)
Dates: 2014 - 2016
Fieldwork
Argentina
1999 - 1999.
Dominican Republic
Venezuela
Mexico
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
Internal Positions
Acting Curator of Herbarium Barbosa Rodrigues (HBR), 1993 - 1995.
Master Student identifying and curating Cyperaceae collection Herbarium of the ICN, 1990 - 1992.
Assistant Curator Herbarium FLOR, 1986 - 1988.
PhD student updating Cyperaceae collection in the Sao Paulo University Herbarium (SPF),
Publications
Brummitt N, Araújo AC, Harris T (2021) Areas of plant diversity—What do we know?. PLANTS, PEOPLE, PLANET, 3 (1) : 33 - 44. doi: 10.1002/ppp3.10110
Marais W, Araujo AC (2018) Cyperacees - Flora of Mascarenes. Autrey J-C, Bosser J (Eds). null :
Affonso R, Zannin A, Brummitt NA, Araujo AC (2015) Diversity of Scleria (Cyperaceae) in Santa Catarina, Brazil.. Rodriguesia, 66 (2) : 353 - 367.
Araujo AC, Alves M, Prata AP, Vitta FA, Hefler SM, Trevisan R, Gil AB, Martins S, Thomas WW (null) Diversidade de Cyperaceae no Brasil.
Longhi-Wagner HM, Araujo AC (null) Flora fanerogâmica da Serra do Ouro Branco, Minas Gerais, Brasil: Cyperaceae. Rodriguesia, 65 (2) : 369 - 404.
Araújo AC, Lucas E (null) TYPIFICATION OF NAMES OF BRAZILIAN AND CARIBBEAN SPECIES OF CALYPTRANTHES (MYRTACEAE – MYRCIINAE). Edinburgh Journal of Botany, 70 (3) : 433 - 438. doi: 10.1017/s0960428613000097
Araújo AC, Lucas E (2013) Lectotypifications inCalyptranthes(Myrtaceae) from the Neotropics. Novon: A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature, 22 (4) : 385 - 388. doi: 10.3417/2011057
Affonso R, Araujo AC, Zanin A (2013) Lectotypifications in Scleria P. J. Bergius (Cyperaceae) from South America1. The Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, 140 (3) : 256 - 258. doi: 10.3159/torrey-d-12-00038.1
Araújo AC, Longhi-Wagner HM, Thomas WW (2012) A synopsis of Rhynchospora sect. Pluriflorae (Cyperaceae). Brittonia, 64 (4) : 381 - 393. doi: 10.1007/s12228-012-9252-2
Araújo AC, Brummitt NA (2011) Scleria rubrostriata, a new species of Cyperaceae from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Kew Bulletin, 66 (4) : 517 - 520. doi: 10.1007/s12225-012-9321-4
Longhi-Wagner HM, Baldini RM, Araújo AC (2010) Cyperaceae Raddianae: a nomenclatural and taxonomic study of the Cyperaceae published in G. Raddi’s Agrostografia brasiliensis. Kew Bulletin, 65 (3) : 449 - 461. doi: 10.1007/s12225-010-9225-0
Alves M, Araujo AC, Prata AP, Vitta FA, Hefler SM, Trevisan R, Gil AB, Martins S, Thomas WW (null) Diversity of Cyperaceae in Brazil. Rodriguesia, 74 : 105 - 177.
Thomas WW, Araújo AC, Alves MV (2009) A Preliminary Molecular Phylogeny of the Rhynchosporeae (Cyperaceae). The Botanical Review, 75 (1) : 22 - 29. doi: 10.1007/s12229-008-9023-7
Alves M, Araujo AC (null) Cyperaceae, In: Plantas da Floresta Atlântica, Stehlmann JR, Forzza RC, Salino A, Sobral M, Costa DP, Yoshino Kamino LH (Eds). Instituto de Pesquisas do Jardim Botanico do Rio de Janeiro : Rio de Janeiro. 232 - 236.
Guaglianone ER, Marchesi E, Marticorena C, Araujo AC, Mereles F (null) Cyperaceae, In: Catálogo de las Plantas Vasculares del Cono Sur – Monocotyledoneae, null : 302 - 400.
Araujo AC, Thomas WW, Longhi-Wagner HM, Simpson DA (2008) Taxonomic novelties in Rhynchospora sect. Pluriflorae (Cyperaceae) from South America. Kew Bulletin, 63 : 301 - 307.
Araujo AC, Longhi-Wagner HM (null) Anatomia foliar e micromorfologia da superfície do fruto na taxonomia de Cyperus L. (Cyperaceae). Iheringia, 48 : 103 - 120.
Araujo AC, Cesar EA, Simpson D (2007) Preliminary List of the Cyperaceae in Northeastern Brazil (Lista preliminar da família Cyperaceae na região nordeste do Brasil). Kew Publishing : London. 32.
Araujo AC, Cesar E, Simpson DA (2007) Preliminary list of the Cyperaceae in Northeastern Brazil. Kew Publishing : London. 32.
Tavares AS, Araujo AC, Bernardino F (null) A checklist of Cyperaceae from the State Park of Tabuleiro Range, Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Revista brasileira de biociencias, 5 : 186 - 188.
Araujo AC, Thomas WW, Longhi-Wagner HM (null) Two new species and two new combinations in Rhynchospora sect. Pluriflorae (Cyperaceae). Novon: a journal for botanical nomenclature, 14 : 06 - 11.
Araujo AC, Thomas WW, Longhi-Wagner HM (null) New unicapitate species of Rhynchospora (Cyperaceae) from South America. Brittonia, 55 : 85 - 91.
Araujo AC (2001) Revision of Rhynchospora Vahl sect. Pluriflorae Kük.. PhD Thesis. (Supervisor(s)) Longhi-Wagner HM, Thomas WW.
Araujo AC, Longhi-Wagner HM (1997) Anatomia foliar e micromorfologia da superfície do fruto na taxonomia de Cyperus L. (Cyperaceae). Iheringia: Serie Botanica, 103 - 120.
Araujo AC, Longhi-Wagner HM (1996) Levantamento taxonômico de Cyperus L. subgen. Anosporum (Nees) C.B. Clarke no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Acta Botanica Brasilica, 10 : 153 - 192.
Araujo AC (1993) Floristic study of Cyperus L. subgen. Anosporum (Nees) C.B. Clarke in the Rio Grande do Sul – Brazil. Master's Thesis. (Supervisor(s)) Longhi-Wagner HM.
Souza ML, Falkenberg DB, Amaral LG, Fronza , Fronza M, Araujo AC, Sá MR (1993) Vegetação do Pontal Daniela, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil. Fitossociologia do Manguezal. Insula, 22 : 107 - 141.
Souza ML, Falkenberg DB, Amaral LG, Fronza M, Araujo AC, Sá MR (null) Vegetação do Pontal da Daniela, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil. Levantamento florístico e mapa fitogeográfico. Insula, 21 : 87 - 116.
Contributed Publications
Araujo AC, Alves M, Prata AP, Vitta FA, Hefler SM, Trevisan R, Gil AB, Martins S, Thomas WW (null) Diversidade de Cyperaceae no Brasil.
Araujo AC, Beck, S.G. , Camelbeke, K. , Gonzalez, S. , Guaglianone, R. , Hinchliff, C. , Lopez, M.G. , Tucker, C.G. , Wheeler, A. (2014) Cyperaceae, In: Catalogo de las Plantas Vasculares de Bolivia, Jorgensen PM, Nee MH, Beck SG (Eds). null :
Alves M, Araujo AC (null) Cyperaceae, In: Plantas da Floresta Atlântica, Stehlmann JR, Forzza RC, Salino A, Sobral M, Costa DP, Yoshino Kamino LH (Eds). Instituto de Pesquisas do Jardim Botanico do Rio de Janeiro : Rio de Janeiro. 232 - 236.
Alves M, Araujo AC, Vitta FA (null) Cyperaceae, In: Catalogo de especies raras do Brasil, Santos IL (Eds). International Conservation : Feira de Santana - Brazil. 154 - 158.
Guaglianone ER, Marchesi E, Marticorena C, Araujo AC, Mereles F (null) Cyperaceae, In: Catálogo de las Plantas Vasculares del Cono Sur – Monocotyledoneae, null : 302 - 400.
Supervision
Master's Co-supervisor to Affonso R
Diversity of Scleria (Cyperaceae) in Santa Catarina, Brazil
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis