Litterfall mass and nutrient fluxes over an altitudinal gradient in the coastal Atlantic Forest, Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eráclito Rodrigues de Sousa-Neto ◽  
Sílvia Rafaela Machado Lins ◽  
Susian Christian Martins ◽  
Marisa de Cássia Piccolo ◽  
Maurício Lamano Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Tropical Soils ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Mass Fluxes ◽  
P Fluxes

Abstract:Litterfall is one of the most important pathways through which nutrients are recycled in the terrestrial biosphere. In tropical soils, which are generally low in essential nutrients such as phosphorus and cations, the flux of nutrients through litterfall is particularly important to sustaining CO2-uptake capacity; however, questions remain over the role of altitude in altering litter nutrient cycling rates among tropical forest ecosystems. Here we examine litterfall, carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fluxes through litterfall over an altitudinal gradient in the coastal Atlantic Forest located on the northern coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Litterfall was collected twice a month for 1 y (April 2007–March 2008) using 30 litter traps placed in four different forest types arrayed by altitude – coastal forest (sea level), lowland forest (50–200 m asl), submontane forest (300–500 m asl) and montane forest (1000 m asl). Litterfall mass-fluxes decreased with increasing altitude, from ~9 Mg ha−1 in lowland forests to 7 Mg ha−1 in higher-altitude ecosystems. Contribution of reproductive organs to litterfall was significantly greater in lower than in higher altitudes. Litterfall N and P fluxes were higher in the lowland forest vs. other forest types, pointing to strong altitudinal controls over nutrient cycling. Furthermore, nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) was lower and litter δ15N was higher in the lowland site providing additional evidence for lack of N constraints to productivity in lowland of the south-eastern Atlantic Forest.

scholarly journals Leguminosae in an altitudinal gradient in the Atlantic Forest of Serra do Mar State Park, São Paulo, Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edson Dias da Silva ◽  
Ana Maria Goulart de Azevedo Tozzi ◽  
Leonardo Dias Meireles
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Taxonomic Diversity ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Structural Variations ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Floristic Similarity

Studies on floristic and structural variations of forests in relation to altitude have contributed to the knowledge of patterns and causes of spatial distribution of plants in the Atlantic Forest. Geographical variables such as latitude, longitude and altitude result in different vegetation types, which limits newly established are not consensus. In the north coast of São Paulo state altitudes vary from the Restinga Forest, near the sea level, to the vegetation at the top of Cuscuzeiro Mountain at 1,279 m altitude. In order to evaluate the richness, taxonomic diversity, floristic similarity and the potential indicator of Leguminosae in the characterization of different vegetation types of Atlantic Forest on the northern coast of São Paulo, a matrix with the presence and absence of 142 species, in 15 different altitudinal belts was built. The greatest species richness was observed in the Restinga Forest (0-10 m), with 84 species, and in Montane Forest (500-1,200 m), with 69 species. The altitudinal belt with the highest number of tree species was 10-50 m, with 34 species. In the higher altitudes that number was significantly lower with six species of 1,100-1,200 m, and no species above this quota. The cluster analysis (Jaccard index) showed dissimilarity of the belts 0-10 m and 1,100-1,200 m in relation to the intermediate belts. The Lowland Forest and Submontane share the largest number of species (25). Some species characterize certain formations or have their preferred environment located at a specific elevation, as is the case of Abarema brachystachya and Inga subnuda (0-20 m), Inga lanceifolia, Inga mendoncaei and Ormosia minor (800-1,200 m). Distinguished for occupying all the phytophysiognomies: Abarema langsdorffii and Senna macranthera. Leguminosae, although well adapted to the first colonization and exploration of diverse environment, was poorly represented above 1,100 m altitude.

scholarly journals Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea) of the Private Reserve of Natural Heritage Fazenda Lontra/Saudade, Itanagra, Northern Coast of Bahia, Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Márlon Paluch ◽  
Olaf Hermann Hendrik Mielke ◽  
Lucílio Matos Linhares ◽  
Diego Carvalho da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
New Record ◽  
Forest Area ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Butterfly Community ◽  
Forested Areas

The Private Reserve of Natural Heritage Fazenda Lontra/Saudade (FLS), located in the Northern Coast of Bahia state, Brazil, is the largest (1,377.33 ha) preserved Atlantic Forest area between Paraguaçu and São Francisco rivers in Bahia and Sergipe, respectively. A list of 260 species belonging to six families of butterflies is presented herein, being recorded 4 species of Papilionidae, 16 of Pieridae, 29 of Lycaenidae, 41 of Riodinidae, 87 of Nymphalidae and 83 of Hesperiidae. The butterfly community was composed mainly by widespread species commonly found in open habitats. There were also many species typical of forested areas, as such Morpho telemachus richardusFruhstorfer, 1898 (Nymphalidae: Morphini), a new record to the Northeastern Brazil.

scholarly journals Richness, abundance, and mass in snake assemblages from two Atlantic Rainforest sites (Ilha do Cardoso, São Paulo) with differences in environmental productivity

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Frederico Duarte Rocha ◽  
Helena Godoy Bergallo ◽  
Carla Fabiane Vera y Conde ◽  
Emerson Brum Bittencourt ◽  
Hilda de Carvalho Santos
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Total Mass ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Fruit Availability ◽  
Paulo State ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Capture Rates

We analyzed richness, composition and mass of snakes in two sites in the Atlantic forest of Ilha do Cardoso (25º 03' S and 47º 53' W), an island (22,500 ha), Cananéia municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil. A monthly index of arthropod availability (in mm³) was estimated in each site through capture rates in pit-fall traps. Fallen fruits were collected along trails in the study sites (mass of fruit gave an index of fruit availability) and small mammals were sampled in grids with 120 traps which covered the lowland (5.2 ha) and in the slope forests (3.6ha). The abundance and mass of small mammals were standardized for the size of each sampled area (in g.ha-1). To sample snakes we established 20 pit-fall traps in each area and performed monthly transects in four consecutive days (totaling 1000 m long) along trails in the study sites. Snakes found were measured, weighted marked and released. Abundance and total mass of snakes were standardized by the size of each area. The areas differed consistently in in the productivity of arthropods, fruits and small mammals, and also in richness, composition and total mass of snakes. We found 36 individuals (total mass = 9884 g) of 12 snake species belonging to three Families (Colubridae, Elapidae and Viperidae) in the lowland forest, whereas in the slope forest we sampled only 9 individuals of 2 species (total mass = 1820 g). Our results suggest that the area of lowland forest, showing higher productivity of arthropods, fruits and small mammals, maintains a snake community with a higher richness, diversity and biomass than its slope forest counterpart.

scholarly journals The importance of riparian forest for the maintenance of bird species richness in an Atlantic Forest remnant, southern Brazil

2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 1078-1086 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz dos Anjos ◽  
Graziele H. Volpato ◽  
Edson V. Lopes ◽  
Patrícia P. Serafini ◽  
Fabíola Poletto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Forest Reserve ◽  
Bird Species Richness ◽  
Upland Forest ◽  
Point Counts ◽  
Forest Remnant

We compared the composition and guild structure of bird communities of riparian and upland forest in an Atlantic forest reserve, the Godoy State Park (GP), in northern Paraná State, southern Brazil. Unlimited distance point counts were sampled monthly from September-December 2001, along four trails. Two trails in upland forest (TA and TB) were parallel to each other and about 300 m apart. Two trails in riparian forest (TC and TD) were along the Apertados River, about 100 m away from the river. A total of 145 species were recorded: 81 species were recorded in both upland and riparian forests, 19 species were recorded only in upland forest and 45 species were recorded exclusively in riparian forest. Among the 81 species occurring in both forest types, 18 species had significantly higher numbers of contacts in the riparian forest while only 8 species had significantly higher numbers of contacts in the upland forest. Taking into account the contacts numbers of the species the large frugivores guild was closely associated to the upland forest, while bamboo and vine-tangles insectivore, canopy insectivores, edge omnivores, ground omnivore and midstory insectivores were those more closely related to the riparian forest.

scholarly journals Variations in the abundance of three Parulidae species in the southern portion of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, state of Paraná

2012 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 721-726
Author(s):  
Cássius R. Santana ◽  
Gabriela M. Bochio ◽  
Luiz dos Anjos
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Brazilian Atlantic Forest ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Point Counts ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Forest Strata ◽  
The Difference

We evaluated the distribution of abundance of three species of warblers in the southern portion of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF): Tropical Parula (Parula pitiayumi), the Golden-Crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) and the White-Rimmed Warbler (Basileuterus leucoblepharus). Three types of forests comprise this region of the Atlantic Forest: seasonal semi-deciduous forest (SF), mixed rain forest (MF) and dense rain forest (DF). These forest types occur at different elevations: SF ranging from 200 to 800 m, MF ranging from 800 to 1,200 m and DF ranging from sea level up to 2,000 m. We used point counts in fifteen study areas distributed in the three forest types. The White-Rimmed Warbler and the Tropical Parula had higher abundances in MF, and their abundance was positively correlated with the elevation. The Golden-Crowned Warbler did not present a significant difference in abundance among the forest types, and no correlation between abundance and elevation was found. We suggest that the difference in the occupancy of the forest strata by the Golden-Crowned Warbler is because this species is more generalist and thus less sensitive to variations in the vegetation structure among the forests types when compared to the other two warbler species.

Forest structure, floristic composition and soils of an Amazonian monodominant forest on maracá Island, Roraima, Brazil

1997 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Nascimento ◽  
J Proctor ◽  
D. M. Villela
Keyword(s):  
Forest Type ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Canopy Layer ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Density Values ◽  
Set Up

Maracá is a riverine island located in the Rio Uraricoera in Roraima State (Brazil) and has an area of about 100,000ha. A forest type dominated by Peltogyne gracilipes Ducke (Caesalpiniaceae) occurs on Maracá Island on a range of soil types. This study compares the structure, floristic composition and soils of the Peltogyne forest with the most widespread lowland forest type on Maracá. Three 0.25ha plots were set up in each of three forest types: Peltogyne-rich forest (PRF), Peltogyne-pooi forest (PPF) and forest without Peltogyne (FWP). Within each plot all trees (≤ 10cm dbh) were recorded. Seedlings and saplings were sampled in subplots of 2m × 1m (seedlings) and 4m × 4m (saplings). In the PPF and FWP, Sapotaceae were the most important family with the highest relative dominance and relative density values. Caesalpiniaceae showed high values in the PRF and PPF. Licania kunthiana, Pradosia surinamensis and Simarouba amara occurred in the canopy layer in all the forest types. Peltogyne dominated the canopy in the PRF and comprised 20% of stems and 53% of the total basal area of all trees ≥ 10cm dbh, and 91% of the stems and 97% of the total basal area of individuals ≥ 50cm dbh. In PPF, Lecythis corrugata and Tetragastris panamensis were the most abundant species, followed by Peltogyne. In the FWP the most abundant trees (≥ 10cm dbh) were Licania kunthiana and Pradosia surinamensis. In all forest types, the soils were sandy and acid with low concentrations of extractable phosphorus and exchangeable cations, but the soils under PRF were notably richer in magnesium.

Monthly Litterfall Dynamics in Three Different Forest Types in Jeju Island, South Korea

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Young An ◽  
Si Ho Han ◽  
Woo Bin Youn ◽  
Sang Ick Lee ◽  
Afroja Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Jeju Island ◽  
Forest Composition ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Major Pathway ◽  
Litterfall Production ◽  
High Precipitation

In a forest ecosystem, the major pathway for carbon and nutrient cycling is through litterfall, which has been influenced by physical and biological factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate monthly litterfall production in three forests in Jeju Island differentiated based on precipitation and forest composition: Chungsu (<i>Quercus glauca</i> as the dominant species; low precipitation), Seonheul<sub>b</sub> (<i>Q. glauca</i> as the dominant species; high precipitation), and Seonheul<sub>m</sub> (<i>Q. glauca</i> and <i>Pinus thunbergii</i> as the dominant species; high precipitation). Litterfall was collected monthly from April to December 2015 and divided into leaf litter, twig, bark, seeds, and unidentified materials. The amount of leaf litter by species varied by stand, but leaf litter and total litterfall were very similar among stands, ranging from 362 g m<sup>-2</sup> to 375 g m<sup>-2</sup> for leaf litter and 524 g m<sup>-2</sup> to 580 g m<sup>-2</sup> for total litterfall. However, oak leaf litter was the highest in May, but needle litter was the highest in December. Forest type and climate factor had no influence on the amount of litterfall in the studied forests while the litterfall production by species showed considerable seasonal variation, resulting in varying effects on carbon and nutrient cycling in these forests.

Bryophyte diversity along an altitudinal gradient in Darién National Park, Panama

1992 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Rob Gradstein ◽  
Noris Salazar Allen
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
National Park ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Plant Conservation ◽  
Montane Forest ◽  
Species Assemblages ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Seasonal Climate

A bryophyte inventory along an altitudinal gradient on Cerro Pirre (1200 m), Darién National Park, Panama, demonstrates that the different rain forest types along the gradient (inundatedlowland, hillside-lowland, submontane, montane elfin forest) have very different species assemblages. The montane forest has the largest number of exclusive species and the largest bryophyte biomass. Species richness is greatest in the submontane forest. The bryophyte flora of Cerro Pirre is not exceedingly rich in species owing to the rather low elevation of the mountain and the seasonal climate in the adjacent coastal plain. Nevertheless, the distinct altitudinal diversification and the occurrence of a considerable number of rare hepatic taxa, demonstrate the importance of Darién National Park as an area of plant conservation. Forty hepatic species are reported as new to Panama.

Nutrient cycling in Nothofagus pumilio forests along an altitudinal gradient in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

2005 ◽  
Vol 217 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge L. Frangi ◽  
Marcelo D. Barrera ◽  
Laura L. Richter ◽  
Ariel E. Lugo
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Tierra Del Fuego ◽  
Nothofagus Pumilio

scholarly journals Floral Resources Used by Euglossini Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Coastal Ecosystems of the Atlantic Forest

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. C. Rocha-Filho ◽  
C. Krug ◽  
C. I. Silva ◽  
C. A. Garófalo
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Coastal Ecosystems ◽  
The Body ◽  
Floral Resources ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Ecological Role ◽  
Orchid Bees ◽  
Tropical Ecosystems ◽  
Tropical Plants

In spite of playing an important ecological role as pollinators of tropical ecosystems, orchid bees are still poorly known regarding their floral resources. Aiming at a better comprehension of the importance of different plants visited by the Euglossini and, consequently, their role in the maintenance and reproduction of plant species in tropical ecosystems, this study aimed at identifying the flowers visited by those bees in two different areas of the Atlantic Forest in the northern coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Sampling was carried out from August 2007 to July 2009 in two coastal ecosystems in Ubatuba, Brazil. In order to obtain information on flower resources collected by Euglossini beesin loco, all bees observed on flowers were collected, pollinaria of Orchidaceae occasionally attached to the body of males were identified, and the pollinic analysis of 68 females was carried out. One hundred twelve bees from 14 species were associated to 105 plant species which represented pollen, nectar, resin, and fragrances sources. These data reinforce the relevance of orchid bees to the maintenance and reproductive success of many tropical plants.

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