Snapshot of the Atlantic Forest canopy: surveying arboreal mammals in a biodiversity hotspot

AbstractThe Atlantic Forest of South America supports some of the greatest terrestrial biodiversity on our planet but is now reduced to only a small extent of its original forest cover. It hosts a large number of endemic mammalian species but our knowledge on arboreal mammal ecology and conservation has been hindered by the challenges of observing arboreal species from ground level. Camera trapping has proven to be an effective tool in terrestrial mammal monitoring, but the technique has rarely been used for arboreal species. Here we generated data on the arboreal mammal community based on canopy camera trapping for the first time in the Atlantic Forest, focusing on Caparaó National Park, Brazil. We placed 24 infrared camera traps in the forest canopy distributed in seven areas within the Park, operating continuously from January 2017 to June 2019. In this time, they accumulated 4,736 camera-days and generated 2,256 sets of pictures and 30 second videos of vertebrates. Canopy camera traps were able to detect arboreal mammals spanning a wide variety of body sizes. The local mammal assemblage comprised of 15 identifiable species, including the critically endangered northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus) and the buffy-headed marmoset (Callithrix flaviceps), and other rare, nocturnal and inconspicuous species. For the first time, we confirmed the occurrence of the thin-spined porcupine (Chaetomys subspinosus) in the Park. Species richness varied across sampling areas and forest types. Our findings demonstrate the potential of canopy camera trapping for future surveying efforts to better inform conservation strategies for mammals.

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Albedo Trend Analyses in Atlantic Forest Biome Areas

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v10n10p298 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 298 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elisiane Alba ◽

Rudiney S. Pereira ◽

Juliana Marchesan ◽

Emanuel A. Silva ◽

Fábio de J. Batista ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Surface Albedo ◽

Forest Canopy ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Kendall Test ◽

Important Variable ◽

Landsat 8 ◽

Increasing Trends ◽

Atmospheric Transmissivity ◽

Forest Biome

The albedo is an important variable that controls the balance of radiation and energy of the atmosphere, so changes in land cover cause alterations in albedo values, influencing changes in climate behavior at different scales. The goal in this work was to investigate the possible occurrence and causes associated with surface albedo trends within the Atlantic Forest biome (São Francisco de Paula, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), during the last thirty years (1987-2017), evaluating the impacts of the forest cover structure on albedo trends. The study included images of the TM/Landsat 5 and OLI/Landsat 8 sensors over the period 1987 to 2017. The surface albedo was obtained from the SEBAL algorithm, which includes in its variables the reflectance values of each band, reflected solar radiation and atmospheric transmissivity. The trend analysis was performed by the Mann-Kendall test verifying the existence of significant trends over 30 years. Subsequently, the influence of vegetation greenness on the trend presented by the albedo surface was evaluated. Approximately 92% of the pixels with significant tendency are associated with the decreasing tendency of the albedo. The downward trend was observed with the change from the field to the forest cover, while increasing trends were influenced by the change in forest cover, such as the suppression of individuals from the upper forest canopy. The forest populations in areas of the Mata Atlântica biome had a large participation in the energy balance, which exposed a reduction of approximately 60% of the surface albedo with its implantation, showing its importance for reducing the emission of energy to the atmosphere. The spatial pattern of the trend distribution of the surface albedo is related to the concentration and vigor of the arboreal vegetation.

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Is camera-trapping an efficient method for surveying mammals in Neotropical forests? A case study in south-eastern Brazil

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467404001956 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 121-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 96

Author(s):

Ana Carolina Srbek-Araujo ◽

Adriano Garcia Chiarello

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Indirect Evidence ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Camera Trapping ◽

Neotropical Forests ◽

South Eastern ◽

Eastern Brazil ◽

Line Transects

Although highly diverse (Fonseca et al. 1996), the Atlantic forest mammal fauna is still poorly known, with very few sites exhaustively inventoried or subjected to long-term studies (Passamani et al. 2000). Although the first surveys using camera traps were carried out in the 1920s (e.g. Chapman 1927), most studies are rather recent (Karanth & Nichols 1998). This is not different in Brazil, where few studies have been published (Marques & Ramos 2001, Santos-Filho & Silva 2002, Silveira et al. 2003, Trolle 2003, Trolle & Kéry 2003). Given this, the objective of this paper is to assess the efficiency of camera trapping as an inventory technique for Neotropical forests in general and Atlantic forest in particular. The study was conducted at the Santa Lúcia Biological Station (SLBS), a biologically rich Atlantic Forest preserve located in south-eastern Brazil (Mendes & Padovan 2000) where mammals have been intensively live-trapped, observed from line-transects or had indirect evidence of their presence (faeces, footprints, scratches, etc.) recorded in earlier years (Passamani et al. 2000).

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Vertical characterization of Highly Oxygenated Molecules (HOMs) below and above a boreal forest canopy

10.5194/acp-2017-1098 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Qiaozhi Zha ◽

Chao Yan ◽

Heikki Junninen ◽

Matthieu Riva ◽

Juho Aalto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Boundary Layer ◽

Boreal Forest ◽

Forest Canopy ◽

Mixed Boundary ◽

Ground Level ◽

Atmospheric Conditions ◽

Research Attention ◽

Significant Research ◽

First Time

Abstract. While the role of highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs) in new particle formation (NPF) and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation is not in dispute, the interplay between HOM chemistry and atmospheric conditions continues to draw significant research attention. During the Influence of Biosphere-Atmosphere Interactions on the Reactive Nitrogen budget (IBAIRN) campaign, profile measurements of neutral HOM molecules below and above the forest canopy were performed for the first time in the boreal forest SMEAR II station during September 2016. The HOM concentrations and composition distributions below and above the canopy were similar, supporting a well-mixed boundary layer approximation during daytime. However, much lower HOM concentration were frequently observed at ground level due to the formation of a shallow decoupled layer below the canopy attached to the forest floor. Near ground HOMs were influenced by the changes in the precursors and oxidants, and enhancement of the loss on surfaces in this layer, while the HOMs above the canopy top were not significantly affected. Our findings also illustrate that near-ground HOM measurements conducted in strong stably stratified conditions might only be representative of a small fraction of the entire nocturnal boundary layer. This might, in turn, influence the growth of newly formed particles and SOA formation below the canopy where a large majority of measurements are typically conducted.

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Assessing the potential of environmental DNA metabarcoding for monitoring Neotropical mammals: a case study in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest, Brazil

10.1101/750414 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Naiara Guimarães Sales ◽

Mariane da Cruz Kaizer ◽

Ilaria Coscia ◽

Joseph C. Perkins ◽

Andrew Highlands ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Mammalian Species ◽

Environmental Dna ◽

Camera Trapping ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Neotropical Mammals ◽

Dna Metabarcoding ◽

Biomonitoring Tool

AbstractThe application of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding as a biomonitoring tool has greatly increased in the last decade. However, most studies have focused on aquatic macro-organisms in temperate areas (e.g., fishes). We apply eDNA metabarcoding to detect the mammalian community in two high-biodiversity regions of Brazil, the Amazon and Atlantic Forest. We identified critically endangered and endangered mammalian species in the Atlantic Forest and Amazon respectively and found congruence with species identified via camera trapping in the Atlantic Forest. In light of our results, we highlight the potential and challenges of eDNA monitoring for mammals in these high biodiverse areas.

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Non-protected areas demanding equitable conservation strategies as of protected areas in the Central Himalayan region

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0255082 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0255082

Author(s):

Avantika Thapa ◽

Pujan Kumar Pradhan ◽

Bheem Dutt Joshi ◽

Tanoy Mukherjee ◽

Mukesh Thakur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Protected Areas ◽

Protected Area ◽

Mammalian Species ◽

Capture Rate ◽

Canopy Cover ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Manis Pentadactyla

The present study aims to explore the mammalian diversity of Darjeeling district using camera traps along with questionnaire survey in protected area (PA) and non- protected area (Non-PA). We also attempted to understand the influence of habitat variables on mammalian species richness using the generalized linear mixed models (GLMM). A total of 30 mammal species were recorded of which 21 species were detected through camera trapping with the most abundant records of barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and least of the elusive Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) and red panda (Ailurus fulgens). Additionally, melanistic forms of four mammals were also recorded. The mammalian species richness, their capture rate and naïve occupancy did not differ significantly among the PA and Non-PA. The GLMM revealed that the proportions of oak and bamboo in the forest, percentage canopy cover and camera trap operational days (wAICc = 0.145, wBIC = 0.603) were significant predictors of species richness in the study. We suggest Non-PA forest of Darjeeling should be given equal conservation importance as to the PA. Landscape based conservation planning will be imperative for achieving long term conservation goals in the study area.

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Vertical characterization of highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs) below and above a boreal forest canopy

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-18-17437-2018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (23) ◽

pp. 17437-17450 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Qiaozhi Zha ◽

Chao Yan ◽

Heikki Junninen ◽

Matthieu Riva ◽

Nina Sarnela ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Boundary Layer ◽

Boreal Forest ◽

Forest Canopy ◽

Mixed Boundary ◽

Ground Level ◽

Atmospheric Conditions ◽

Research Attention ◽

Significant Research ◽

First Time

Abstract. While the role of highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs) in new particle formation (NPF) and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation is not in dispute, the interplay between HOM chemistry and atmospheric conditions continues to draw significant research attention. During the Influence of Biosphere-Atmosphere Interactions on the Reactive Nitrogen budget (IBAIRN) campaign in September 2016, profile measurements of neutral HOMs below and above the forest canopy were performed for the first time at the boreal forest SMEAR II station. The HOM concentrations and composition distributions below and above the canopy were similar during daytime, supporting a well-mixed boundary layer approximation. However, much lower nighttime HOM concentrations were frequently observed at ground level, which was likely due to the formation of a shallow decoupled layer below the canopy. Near the ground HOMs were influenced by the changes in the precursors and oxidants and enhancement of the loss on surfaces in this layer, while the HOMs above the canopy top were not significantly affected. Our findings clearly illustrate that near-ground HOM measurements conducted under stably stratified conditions at this site might only be representative of a small fraction of the entire nocturnal boundary layer. This could, in turn, influence the growth of newly formed particles and SOA formation below the canopy where the large majority of measurements are typically conducted.

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Improving the detection rate of binturongs (Arctictis binturong) in Palawan Island, Philippines, through the use of arboreal camera-trapping

Mammalia ◽

10.1515/mammalia-2019-0113 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 84 (6) ◽

pp. 563-567

Author(s):

Agathe Debruille ◽

Pauline Kayser ◽

Géraldine Veron ◽

Murielle Vergniol ◽

Melissa Perrigon

Keyword(s):

Detection Rate ◽

Ground Level ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Camera Trapping ◽

Ecological Studies ◽

Statistical Comparison ◽

Alternative Method ◽

Remote Camera ◽

Palawan Island

AbstractAlthough remote camera-traps are used worldwide for ecological studies, the methods of use are often based on ground-level detection. This inherently limits the ability to detect arboreal species. This study aims to test arboreal camera trapping as an alternative method to improve the detection of the binturong (Arctictis binturong). We obtained a total of 41 independent detections of binturongs for 2,973 trap-nights, representing a detection rate of 1.38%. Thus, although statistical comparison with other surveys is not possible, this is currently the highest detection rate for the species. This is encouraging to further develop this method for research on binturongs.

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Survey of large and medium-sized terrestrial mammals in the Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Check List ◽

10.15560/9.2.240 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 240 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

André Valle Nunes ◽

Leandro Moraes Scoss ◽

Maressa Rocha Prado ◽

Gisele Mendes Lessa

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Atlantic Forest ◽

Canis Lupus ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Camera Trapping ◽

Domestic Dogs ◽

Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽

Terrestrial Mammals ◽

Monitoring Programs

The aim of this study was to survey the species of large and medium-sized terrestrial mammals occurring at Serra do Brigadeiro State Park (SBSP). Data was compiled from two studies carried out in 2008. Data was collected through sand plots and camera traps. Thirteen species were recorded, one that had not been registered before (Leopardus wiedii) and one exotic (Canis lupus familiaris). Species richness estimate for camera trapping was 13.53±1.75. For the sand plots, estimate was lower (9±1.73 species). The low number of inventories focusing on large and medium-sized terrestrial mammals in the Mantiqueira region of the Atlantic forest and the presence of the domestic dogs within the Park limits emphasizes the need for monitoring programs to identify the major threats to preserved areas in the region.

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Mammals recorded in isolated remnants of Atlantic Forest in southern Goiás, Brazil

Biota Neotropica ◽

10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2018-0575 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Analice Calaça ◽

Marluci Fachi ◽

Diego Afonso Silva ◽

Seixas Rezende Oliveira ◽

Fabiano Rodrigues de Melo

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Habitat Fragmentation ◽

Atlantic Forest ◽

Mammalian Species ◽

Camera Trapping ◽

Line Transect ◽

Brazilian Atlantic Forest ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Cerrado Savanna

Abstract: Habitat fragmentation is one of the principal causes of the decline of species worldwide, and the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Cerrado savanna biomes are among the most severely affected by this process. While highly fragmented, remnants of Atlantic Forest can still be found within the Cerrado domain of southern Goiás, where previous studies have revealed high levels of biodiversity. To inventory the mammalian species that occur in the region, two fragments of semideciduous Atlantic Forest were sampled between 2011 and 2016, using line transect surveys and camera trapping. A total of 1016 records were obtained of 30 mammal species, of which eleven are under some threat of extinction. The species richness recorded on this study was similar to or higher than the values reported from other areas of Goiás, which reinforces the importance of the maintenance of these remnants, located in private properties, for the conservation of the region's mammals.

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Gastrotrichs and tardigrades in a remnant of Atlantic Forest (Serra do Japi, SP, Brazil)

Biota Neotropica ◽

10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2020-1165 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Emiliana Brotto Guidetti ◽

Ariane Campos ◽

Alan Rodrigo Batistão ◽

Amanda Tognoli da Silva ◽

Carla Gabriela Bilatto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Forest Cover ◽

First Record ◽

Type Locality ◽

Paulo State ◽

Native Tree ◽

The World ◽

Floating Vegetation ◽

First Time ◽

Biological Reserve

Abstract: Serra do Japi, located in the southeast of São Paulo State, is considered a priority area for conservation, as it houses original Atlantic Forest cover remains. Despite the significant number of studies about vertebrates and invertebrates that were carried out in this region, the meiofauna biodiversity is completely unknown. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate for the first time freshwater Gastrotricha and limnoterrestrial Tardigrada in Serra do Japi Biological Reserve. Samples of sediments, periphyton and floating vegetation in reservoirs and natural lagoons, and mosses growing on native and non-native tree trunks were collected in May 2019. At least five gastrotrichs morphotypes were identified and three of them were formally described: Chaetonotus acanthocephalus, C. dadayi (first record in Brazil), and Heterolepidoderma mariae (first record outside the type locality). In regards to tardigrades, twelve morphotypes were identified and four of them were formally described: Pseudechiniscus juanitae, Minibiotus cf. acontistus, Echiniscus dreyfusi and Itaquascon umbellinae (last two species reported for the first time outside the type locality). This study reinforces that meiofaunal diversity and distribution have been underestimated, even in one of the five largest hotspots in the world.

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