Long-term ecological trends of small secondary forests of the atlantic forest hotspot: A 30-year study case

2021 ◽  
Vol 489 ◽  
pp. 119043
Author(s):  
Cléber R. Souza ◽  
Vinicius A. Maia ◽  
Natália de Aguiar-Campos ◽  
Alisson B.M. Santos ◽  
André Ferreira Rodrigues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Secondary Forests ◽  
Study Case

scholarly journals The distribution and conservation status of Tapirus terrestris in the South American Atlantic Forest

2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Kevin M. Flesher ◽  
Emília Patrícia Medici
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Population Expansion ◽  
South American ◽  
Secondary Forests ◽  
Population Isolation ◽  
Adequate Funding ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Tapirus Terrestris

Tapirus terrestris is the largest South American land mammal, with an extensive historical distribution and capable of occupying diverse habitats, and yet its populations have declined across its range. In order to provide baseline data on the conservation status of tapirs in the Atlantic Forest, we conducted a long-term study in one landscape, visited 93 forests, and received 217 expert reports over the 15-year study. We estimate that 2,665–15,992 tapirs remain in 48 confirmed populations, occupying 26,654 km2 of forest or 1.78% of its original range in the biome. Historically, hunting and deforestation were the main causes of decline, but today population isolation is the principal long-term threat. Vortex models indicate that 31.3–68.8% and 70.8–93.8% of the populations are demographically and genetically non-viable over the next 100 years, respectively, and that only 3–14 populations are viable when considering both variables. Habitat use data indicate that tapirs are adaptable to disturbed and secondary forests and will use diverse tree plantations and agricultural lands but hunting and highways keep populations isolated. Reserve staff report tapirs as common/abundant at 62.2% of the sites, and populations as stable and growing in 60% and 36% of the sites, respectively, and there is ample habitat in the biome for a population expansion, but overcoming the causes of isolation will be necessary for this to occur. Lack of adequate funding for protecting reserves is a chronic threat throughout the biome, especially in federal and state/provincial reserves, and increased funding will be necessary to implement effective conservation plans.

scholarly journals MICRONUTRIENT CONTENTS IN THE PROFILE OF A RECOVERED SOIL WITH SEWAGE SLUDGE AND NATIVE SPECIES OF ATLANTIC FOREST

FLORESTA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 485
Author(s):  
Lívia Mara Lima Goulart ◽  
Marianne Fidalgo de Faria ◽  
Grasiela Spada ◽  
Thiago Tássio de Souza Silva ◽  
Iraê Amaral Guerrini
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Mineral Fertilization ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Final Destination ◽  
Potassium Supplementation

The use of sewage sludge in agriculture and recovery of degraded areas has been shown as a promising alternative for its final destination. Studies on micronutrient levels after sludge application are necessary to avoid soil contamination at toxic levels. The objective of this work was to verify the micronutrient contents in the soil profile and pH, up to one-meter-deep, nine years after the application of sewage sludge and planting of native species of the Atlantic Forest. The experiment was implemented in a degraded Quartzeneic Neosol and conducted in randomized blocks with four replicates and eight treatments, consisting of six doses of sewage sludge (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 Mg ha-1, with supplementation of potassium due to low concentration in the residue), besides the control treatment, mineral fertilization and only potassium supplementation. After nine years, the contents of all micronutrients evaluated presented a significant response to the application of the treatments, and the application of sewage sludge provided an increase in their contents. Soil pH remained stable at sites receiving mineral fertilization and potassium supplementation. Only manganese and zinc showed mobility in the soil profile. The application of sewage sludge in degraded soil increases the micronutrient content and decreases its movement in the soil profile, and the application of the maximum dose of the residue does not provide toxic levels of these elements in the soil in the long term.

Contrasting effects of fire on populations of two small rodent species in fragments of Atlantic Forest in Brazil

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos de Souza Lima Figueiredo ◽  
Fernando Antonio dos Santos Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Rodent Species ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Small Rodent ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
The Core ◽  
Higher Temperature ◽  
Disturbed Habitats

Habitat fragmentation causes a sharp increase in the forested area affected by edge effects (Murcia 1995). Compared with the core of the forest, edges present higher litterfall rates, air and soil humidity reduction, higher temperature and increased wind incidence (Bierregaard et al. 1992, Didham & Lawton 1999, Laurance et al. 1998, Matlack 1993). These features of edges may increase the probability of fire occurrence, especially if the surrounding vegetation is composed of grasses (D'Antonio & Vitousek 1992, Freifelder et al. 1998). After a fire, the damaged edge will grow substantial amounts of herbaceous vegetation, extending the inflammable area into the forest, and thereby creating a positive feedback system of fire susceptibility and intensity (Cochrane & Schulze 1999, Cochrane et al. 1999). Fires may affect the structure and composition of the vegetation (Cochrane & Schulze 1999, Didham & Lawton 1999, Sanaiotti & Magnusson 1995), favouring, in the long-term, the dominance of the community by species characteristic of disturbed habitats and making the habitat unsuitable to primary forest species (Malcolm 1994, Possingham et al. 1994). Unfortunately, there are few studies on the effects of fires on neotropical small-mammal populations (Borchert & Hansen 1983, Ojeda 1989, Vieira & Marinho-Filho 1998). The objective of this study was to analyse the influence of a fire on populations of two rodent species, Akodon cursor (Winge) and Oecomys concolor (Wagner) in two fragments of Atlantic Forest in Brazil.

Adapting game’s evaluation metrics to virtual reality serious games and its validation on “Hellblade: Senu’s Sacrifice” (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Martinez ◽  
Maria Isabel Menéndez-Menéndez ◽  
David Checa ◽  
Andres Bustillo
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Quantitative Rating ◽  
Study Case ◽  
Definition Of

BACKGROUND The design of Virtual Reality Serious Games (VR-SG) is a subject still developing. One of its open developments is the definition of metrics to evaluate the fun and learning result. In this way, weaknesses and strengths in the design of serious games can be found for future works in this research field. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to create a metric that can be used to rate the gameplay of VR-SG. This metric’s novelty allows to evaluate the different fun and learning features and give them a quantitative rating. A study case shows the capability of implementing this evaluation to identify strengths and weaknesses of VR-SGs. METHODS The new VR-SG metric is developed on the basis of the Mechanics, Dynamics and Aesthetic (MDA) framework but including User Experience (UX) elements and adapting them to VR-SG. This metric includes 1) UX aspects: VR-headsets, training tutorials and interactive adaptions to avoid VR inconveniences; and 2) MDA aspects: exclusive VR audiovisual elements and its aesthetics interactions. RESULTS The selected indie serious game is Hellblade, developed to raise awareness about the difficulties of people suffering from psychosis with two versions: one for 2D-screens and the other for VR devices. The comparison of metric´s scores for both versions shows: 1) some VR dynamics increase the gameplay impact and therefore, the educational capacity; and 2) flaws in game design where the scores drop down. Some of these flaws are: reduced number of levels, missions and items, lack of a tutorial to enhance usability and lack of strategies and rewards in the long-term to increase motivation. CONCLUSIONS This metric allows to identify the elements of the gameplay and UX that are necessary to learn in VR experiences. The study case shows this research is useful to evaluate the educational utility of VR-SG. Further works will analyze VR applications to synthetize every game element influencing its intrinsic sensations. CLINICALTRIAL The trials have not been registered, as testing for this metric has not involved people with mental conditions or addressed other medical applications. Hellblade is a commercial video game that anyone can purchase and play. The trials have been carried out to obtain results on the gaming experience of different people in relation to the educational purpose of raising awareness of psychosis.

Long-Term Electricity Demand Forecast Using Multivariate Regression and End-Use Method: A Study Case of Maluku-Papua Electricity System

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tumiran Tumiran ◽  
Sarjiya Sarjiya ◽  
Lesnanto Multa Putranto ◽  
Edwin Nugraha Putra ◽  
Rizki Firmansyah Setya Budi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Regression ◽  
Electricity Demand ◽  
Demand Forecast ◽  
Electricity System ◽  
Study Case ◽  
End Use

Atlantic Forest recovery after long-term eucalyptus plantations: The role of zoochoric and shade-tolerant tree species on carbon stock

2022 ◽  
Vol 503 ◽  
pp. 119789
Author(s):  
Alex Josélio Pires Coelho ◽  
Pedro Manuel Villa ◽  
Fabio Antônio Ribeiro Matos ◽  
Gustavo Heringer ◽  
Marcelo Leandro Bueno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Carbon Stock ◽  
Forest Recovery ◽  
Eucalyptus Plantations

scholarly journals Applying LiDAR to Quantify the Plant Area Index Along a Successional Gradient in a Tropical Forest of Thailand

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 520
Author(s):  
Siriruk Pimmasarn ◽  
Nitin Kumar Tripathi ◽  
Sarawut Ninsawat ◽  
Nophea Sasaki
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Forest Succession ◽  
Secondary Forests ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Khao Yai National Park ◽  
Plant Area Index ◽  
Plant Area ◽  
Successional Process ◽  
Term Monitoring

Long-term monitoring of vegetation is critical for understanding the dynamics of forest ecosystems, especially in Southeast Asia’s tropical forests, which play a significant role in the global carbon cycle and have continually been converted into various stages of secondary forests. In Thailand, long-term monitoring of forest dynamics during the successional process is limited to plot scales assuming from the distinct structure of successional stages. Our study highlights the potential of coupling airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology and stand age data derived from Landsat time-series to track back forest succession, and infer patterns in the plant area index (PAI) recovery. Here, using LIDAR data, we estimated the PAI of the 510 sample plots of a seasonal evergreen forest dispersed over the study area in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand, capturing a successional gradient of tropical secondary forests. The sample plots age was derived from the available Landsat time-series dataset (1972–2017). We developed a PAI recovery model during the first 42 years of the succession process. We investigated the relationship between the model residuals and PAI values with topographic factors, such as elevation, slope, and topographic wetness index. The results show that the PAI increased non-linearly (pseudo-R2 of 0.56) during the first 42 years of forest succession, and all three topographic factors have less influence on PAI variability. These results provide valuable information of the spatio-temporal PAI patterns during the successional process and help understand the dynamics of tropical secondary forests in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. Such information is essential for forest management and local, regional, and global PAI synthesis. Moreover, our results provide significant information for ground-based spatial sampling strategies to enable more accurate PAI measurements.

scholarly journals Bat assemblage of Guaribas Biological Reserve, an Atlantic forest conservation unit in North-eastern Brazil: Results of a two-stage long-term survey

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caio Graco Zeppelini ◽  
Isabela Jerônimo ◽  
Karlla Morganna da Costa Rego ◽  
Maria Paula de Aguiar Fracasso ◽  
Luiz Carlos Serramo Lopez
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Forest Conservation ◽  
Conservation Unit ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Biological Reserve ◽  
Long Term Survey

Population dynamics of canopy trees in New Caledonian rain forests: are monodominant Nothofagus (Nothofagaceae) forests successional to mixed rain forests?

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 485-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Read ◽  
Tanguy Jaffré
Keyword(s):  
New Caledonia ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Secondary Forests ◽  
Rain Forests ◽  
Term Change ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species ◽  
Successional Stages ◽  
Continuous Regeneration ◽  
Canopy Species

Abstract:In New Caledonia, rain forests with an upper canopy dominated by single species of Nothofagus occur next to mixed-canopy forests, without discernible environmental cause. A potential explanation is that they are different successional stages. To test this hypothesis and predict long-term change in canopy dominance, population size structures of 61 canopy species were analysed in six Nothofagus-dominated forests and three adjacent mixed rain forests. Weibull analysis suggests that these Nothofagus forests are secondary forests, with recruitment insufficient to maintain monodominance, except at a high-altitude site. At low- to mid-altitudes the Nothofagus canopy is predicted to develop into a mixed canopy, unless moderate to severe disturbance occurs within its reproductive lifespan. However, adjacent mixed rain forests are also secondary, with 85% of analysed species showing no evidence of continuous regeneration. Fifteen species from both forest types showed reverse-J curves suggesting continuous regeneration, but only Calophyllum caledonicum did so consistently. Since few canopy species showed evidence of high shade tolerance and persistence, a small number of shade-tolerant species is predicted to dominate both forests in the long term, in the hypothetical absence of disturbance. Hence, temporal factors associated with disturbances play a key role in determining dominance in these forests.

Soil degradation and feedback processes affect long-term recovery of tropical secondary forests

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 800-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siew Chin Chua ◽  
Benjamin S. Ramage ◽  
Matthew D. Potts
Keyword(s):  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Secondary Forests
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