Effect of the matrix-edge-forest interior gradient on the phyllostomid bats assemblage in sub-Andean forest fragments

The edge effect is one of the consequences of forest fragmentation and is one of the main drivers of alteration of ecological and ecosystem processes. Trophic guilds and species of bats have shown differential responses to this phenomenon. Our goal was to describe the change in bat species richness, abundance, evenness, and species composition of trophic guilds associated with a matrix edge-forest interior gradient. Therefore, we conducted a bat sampling with 16 mist nets covering such gradient in four sub-andean forest fragments (10-50 ha). In total, we captured 566 individuals of 21 species of phyllostomid bats. Bat species richness and abundance were higher in the matrix and edge and were similar between fragments. Evenness showed the lowest values in the matrix and forest edge and was different between forest patches. Some shrub frugivorous bats were more abundant in the edge, and others were more abundant in two fragments. Species composition of canopy frugivorous bats was similar along the gradient but was significantly different between fragments. In contrast, the species composition of nectarivores was similar throughout the matrix-interior forest gradient and between patches. Our data suggest that bat responses at assemblage-level are affected by the disturbance gradient from the matrix to forest interior, even at short distances form fragment borders, and are dependent on the trophic guild.

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Trophic structure stability and extinction dynamics of beetles (Coleoptera) in tropical forest fragments

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.1998.0221 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 353 (1367) ◽

pp. 437-451 ◽

Cited By ~ 114

Author(s):

R. K. Didham ◽

J. H. Lawton ◽

P. M. Hammond ◽

P. Eggleton

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Species Composition ◽

Tropical Forest ◽

Forest Fragmentation ◽

Trophic Structure ◽

Forest Edge ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Trophic Groups ◽

Predator Species ◽

Extinction Probabilities

A first analysis of the stability of trophic structure following tropical forest fragmentation was performed in an experimentally fragmented tropical forest landscape in Central Amazonia. A taxonomically and trophically diverse assemblage of 993 species of beetles was sampled from 920 m 2 of leaf litter at 46 sites varying in distance from forest edge and fragment area. Beetle density increased significantly towards the forest edge and showed non-linear changes with fragment area, due to the influx of numerous disturbed-area species into 10 ha and 1 ha fragments. There was a marked change in species composition with both decreasing distance from forest edge and decreasing fragment area, but surprisingly this change in composition was not accompanied by a change in species richness. Rarefied species richness did not vary significantly across any of the sites, indicating that local extinctions of deep forest species were balanced by equivalent colonization rates of disturbed-area species. The change in species composition with fragmentation was non-random across trophic groups. Proportions of predator species and xylophage species changed significantly with distance from forest edge, but no area-dependent changes in proportions of species in trophic groups were observed. Trophic structure was also analysed with respect to proportions of abundance in six trophic groups. Proportions of abundance of all trophic groups except xylomycetophages changed markedly with respect to both distance from forest edge and fragment area. Local extinction probabilities calculated for individual beetle species supported theoretical predictions of the differential susceptibility of higher trophic levels to extinction, and of changes in trophic structure following forest fragmentation. To reduce random effects due to sampling error, only abundant species ( n ≥ 46) were analysed for extinction probabilities, as defined by absence from samples. Of these common species, 27% had significantly higher probabilities of local extinction following fragmentation. The majority of these species were predators; 42% of all abundant predator species were significantly more likely to be absent from samples in forest fragments than in undisturbed forest. These figures are regarded as minimum estimates for the entire beetle assemblage because rarer species will inevitably have higher extinction probabilities. Absolute loss of biodiversity will affect ecosystem process rates, but the differential loss of species from trophic groups will have an even greater destabilizing effect on food web structure and ecosystem function.

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Dynamics and Edge Effect of an Atlantic Forest Fragment in Brazil

Floresta e Ambiente ◽

10.1590/2179-8087.064713 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 340-349 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Poliana Gabriella Araújo Mendes ◽

Maria Amanda Menezes Silva ◽

Tassiane Novacosque Feitosa Guerra ◽

Ana Carolina Borges Lins-e-Silva ◽

Airton de Deus Cysneiros Cavalcanti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Atlantic Forest ◽

Edge Effect ◽

Woody Plants ◽

Response Times ◽

Forest Edge ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Forest Fragment ◽

Canopy Tree ◽

Forest Interior

ABSTRACT The woody plants in an edge area formed approximately 35 years ago in an Atlantic Forest fragment in northeastern Brazil were examined, and three environments defined: edge, intermediate, and interior. Canopy tree densities and basal areas were found to be similar in all three environments, and also similar to previous published studies in the same region; species richness was greatest at the forest edge. The understory showed greater species richness in the forest interior, but greater diversity and equitability in the intermediate environment. Understory environments close to the forest edge demonstrated larger stem diameters than in the forest interior, although at lesser densities and with smaller total basal areas. Our results indicated the existence of distinct patterns in canopy and understory that most likely reflect differences in the response times of these two vegetation layers, with the understory being more sensitive to alterations in environmental structure.

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Corrigendum to: Fish in the matrix: effects of landscape on community-structure patterns of the ichthyofauna of streams in Cerrado

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf19281_co ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 (9) ◽

pp. 1219

Author(s):

Thiago Bernardi Vieira ◽

Leandro Schlemmer Brasil ◽

Naiara Raiol Torres ◽

Tatiana Lima de Melo ◽

Elto Aparecido Moreira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Species Richness ◽

Community Structure ◽

Species Composition ◽

Indicator Species ◽

Matrix Effects ◽

Native Vegetation ◽

Generalist Species ◽

The Matrix ◽

Structure Patterns

This study aims to identify species richness and composition patterns of the ichthyofauna in different landscape matrices (forest, pasture and eucalypt crops) and to evaluate the variation of species composition in different matrices, identifying possible indicator species. We selected 21 streams; 7 were surrounded by native vegetation, 9 surrounded by pasture and 5 by eucalypt crops. We tested whether there was difference in the composition and species richness. In addition, we used the indicator value (IndVal) to verify if there were species faithful and specific to some land use and land cover. Streams located in forest presented the highest estimated species richness, followed by streams in pasturelands and eucalypt matrices. There was no difference between the composition of fishes in different matrices, but we observed a relationship between Phenacorhamdia somnians (Mees, 1974) and pasture matrix. The results indicated that the change in land use may benefit some generalist species such as Phenacorhamdia somnians.

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Fish in the matrix: effects of landscape on community-structure patterns of the ichthyofauna of streams in Cerrado

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf19281 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 (9) ◽

pp. 1211 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thiago Bernardi Vieira ◽

Leandro Schlemmer Brasil ◽

Naiara Raiol Torres ◽

Tatiana Lima de Melo ◽

Elto Aparecido Moreira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Species Richness ◽

Community Structure ◽

Species Composition ◽

Indicator Species ◽

Matrix Effects ◽

Native Vegetation ◽

Generalist Species ◽

The Matrix ◽

Structure Patterns

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Species richness and abundance of bats in fragments of the stational semidecidual forest, Upper Paraná River, southern Brazil

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/s1519-69842009000300026 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 69 (2 suppl) ◽

pp. 727-734 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

H. Ortêncio-Filho ◽

NR. Reis

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Anthropogenic Impacts ◽

Paraná River ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

Parana River ◽

Upper Paraná River Floodplain ◽

Upper Paraná River ◽

Species Richness And Abundance ◽

Artibeus Lituratus

The Upper Paraná River floodplain is inserted in a region of the Mata Atlântica biome, which is a critical area to preserve. Due to the scarcity of researches about the chiropterofauna in this region, the present study investigated species richness and abundance of bats in remnants from the stational semidecidual forest of the Upper Paraná River, southern Brazil. Samplings were taken every month, from January to December 2006, using 32 mist nets with 8.0 x 2.5 m, resulting in 640 m²/h and totaling a capture effort of 87,040 m²/h. In order to estimate the species richness, the following estimators were employed Chao1 and Jack2. During the study, a total of 563 individuals belonging to 17 species (Artibeus planirostris, Artibeus lituratus, Carollia perspicillata, Platyrrhinus lineatus, Sturnira lilium, Artibeus fimbriatus, Myotis nigricans, Desmodus rotundus, Artibeus obscurus, Noctilio albiventris, Phylostomus discolor, Phylostomus hastatus, Chrotopterus auritus, Lasiurus ega, Chiroderma villosum, Pygoderma bilabiatum and Lasiurus blossevillii) were captured. The estimated richness curves tended to stabilize, indicating that most of the species were sampled. Captured species represented 10% of the taxa recorded in Brazil and 28% in Paraná State, revealing the importance of this area for the diversity of bats. These findings indicate the need to determine actions aiming to restrict human activities in these forest fragments, in order to minimize anthropogenic impacts on the chiropterofauna.

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High levels of anatomical and physiological leaf plasticity of Ocotea odorifera (Lauraceae) in response to different radiation intensities

Botany ◽

10.1139/cjb-2019-0128 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (1) ◽

pp. 23-32

Author(s):

Gabriele Marques Leme ◽

Flavio Nunes Ramos ◽

Fabricio José Pereira ◽

Marcelo Polo

Keyword(s):

Gas Exchange ◽

Stomatal Density ◽

Leaf Gas Exchange ◽

Net Photosynthesis ◽

Forest Edge ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Gas Exchange Parameters ◽

Fragmented Forest ◽

Forest Interior ◽

Leaf Plasticity

We investigated morpho-physiological plasticity in the leaves of Ocotea odorifera trees growing under different environmental conditions in a fragmented forest. Microclimatic data were collected in a pasture matrix, forest edge, and forest interior in three Atlantic Forest fragments. Leaf gas exchange, as well as leaf anatomy in paradermal and transversal sections, were evaluated in individuals in these environments. Radiation intensity and temperature had higher effects in the pasture matrix compared with the forest interior and forest edge. However, internal portions of the canopy did not exhibit significant variation in radiation or temperature. External canopy leaves exhibited higher net photosynthesis in plants from the pasture matrix, but there was higher net photosynthesis for internal leaves from the shaded forest interior. Variation in net photosynthesis and other gas-exchange parameters were related to thinner shade leaves in forest interior individuals, and internal leaves with lower stomatal density. Although the pasture matrix, forest edge, and forest interior experienced differences in light and temperature, leaf position in the canopy produced microclimatic variations, which modified gas exchange and anatomy. Thus, O. odorifera shows the potential for reforestation programs because of its high leaf plasticity, which will enable it to overcome variations in light and temperature.

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Bryophyte community differences between edge and interior environments in temperate rain-forest fragments of coastal British Columbia

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x04-209 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 580-592 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Lyn K Baldwin ◽

Gary E Bradfield

Keyword(s):

British Columbia ◽

Species Richness ◽

Functional Groups ◽

Rain Forest ◽

Species Abundance ◽

Forest Edge ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Old Growth ◽

Edge Zone ◽

Temperate Rain Forest

The species richness, community composition, and abundance of bryophytes within taxonomic and functional groups were examined in relation to habitat conditions in forest edge and interior habitats of nine old-growth temperate rain-forest patches remaining after logging in the Nimpkish River Valley of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Bryophytes were sampled at a fine scale using 0.1 m × 0.3 m microplots to examine responses of species abundance on the forest floor, downed logs, and tree bases and at a coarser scale using 10 m × 2 m belt transects to determine changes in patterns of species richness and distribution. Edge habitats, sampled to a depth of 45 m into the forest fragments, were characterized by greater windthrow disturbance. Within the edge zone, increases in the richness of clearing-affiliated functional groups were associated primarily with the location of windthrown trees and tip-up mounds, rather than with distance from the edge per se. Interior habitats had both greater abundance of old-growth-associated functional groups and total bryophyte cover. The extension of the edge zone to at least 45 m into remnant patches carries implications for minimum patch size requirements in the context of variable-retention logging of coastal temperate rain forests.

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The effects of fragmentation of an Australian tropical rain forest on populations and assemblages of small mammals

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467401001158 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 225-240 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

G. N. HARRINGTON ◽

A. N. D. FREEMAN ◽

F. H. J. CROME

Keyword(s):

Home Range ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Rain Forest ◽

Tropical Rain Forest ◽

Agricultural Landscape ◽

Forest Edge ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Agricultural Matrix ◽

Continuous Forest ◽

The Matrix

Small mammals were trapped in four rain forest fragments (3, 8, 20 and 97 ha), in an agricultural landscape, and in comparable continuous tropical rain forest in north Queensland, Australia over 2 y. The most frequently captured species were four murid rodents. Melomys cervinipes were captured in similar numbers in both continuous and fragmented forest. This species achieves greatest abundance at forest edges and this study suggests that edges of fragments and edges of continuous forest will support similar densities. Abundance of Uromys caudimaculatus was positively correlated with size of fragment and peaked in continuous forest. This species had a home range larger than the smaller fragments and was thus disadvantaged but its ability to utilize the agricultural matrix between fragments mitigated the effect. Rattus leucopus and R. fuscipes were most abundant in fragments and continuous forest respectively but both species occurred in similar abundance in the 97-ha fragment. This suggests their population size is related to habitat rather than competitive exclusion as previously postulated. Ordination of the populations of the nine most commonly captured mammals, separated the fragment and continuous sites but placed the largest fragment closest to the continuous sites. The contrasting response of the two Rattus spp. was the primary influence on the ordination. Second in importance was Trichosurus vulpecula, a folivorous possum, which was absent from the continuous sites. The fragments may have had more nutrient-rich, pioneer tree foliage than continuous forest. Isoodon macrourus, Perameles nasuta, Antechinus godmani and Uromys hadrourus also showed positive or negative response to fragmentation. Species utilizing the matrix between forest fragments and species adapted to forest edge are advantaged by the fragmentation process whereas forest specialists tend to extinction in fragments, particularly where the home range of the animal is not many times smaller than the fragment.

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Potential impacts of fire and grazing in an endangered ecological community: plant composition and shrub and eucalypt regeneration in Cumberland Plain Woodland

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt02068 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

pp. 23 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Sarah J. Hill ◽

Kristine French

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Species Composition ◽

Species Interactions ◽

Ecological Community ◽

Plant Composition ◽

Shrub Species ◽

Pre Treatment ◽

Species Richness And Abundance ◽

The Impact ◽

Canopy Species

Exclosure plots were used to determine the effect of fire and grazing on the structure of a grassy-woodland community. Eighteen months after fire and fence treatments were applied, the species richness, cover and composition of shrubs, trees, herbs and grasses were assessed and compared to pre-treatment censuses. Unburned plots had fewer shrub species and a lower abundance of shrubs, indicating the importance of fire in promoting regeneration of shrub species. Eucalypt species were more abundant and richer following the wildfire burn in summer, suggesting timing of fires is an important aspect in the establishment of the canopy species. Interactions between fire and grazing were found for the abundance of eucalypts (although weak) and resprouting eucalypts, suggesting a subtle interaction between fire and grazing shortly after fire. There was no effect of grazing and no interaction effect between fire and grazing on shrub species richness and abundance or tree species richness and seedling abundance.All plots showed a change in species composition despite treatment, and 46 species (32% of total richness) were recorded only in the final survey. The high rainfall during the 18-month study is likely to be an important factor in facilitating the establishment of species following all disturbances. This may have ameliorated the impact of grazing as abundant food was available throughout the woodland. The interaction between fire and grazing may be more important in structuring these grassy communities during periods of lower rainfall.

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Edge-Interior Disparities in Tree Species and Structural Composition of the Kilengwe Forest in Morogoro Region, Tanzania

ISRN Biodiversity ◽

10.1155/2014/873174 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

David Sylvester Kacholi

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Tree Species ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Basal Area ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Forest Edge ◽

Structural Composition ◽

Forest Interior ◽

Contrasting Habitats ◽

Brachystegia Spiciformis

A survey to determine the variation in species and structural composition of trees along the edge-interior gradient was done in the Kilengwe forest in Morogoro region, Tanzania. The forest was categorized into three habitats, namely, edge (0–100 m), intermediate (100–200 m), and interior (>200 m) depending on the distance from the forest margin. A total of six plots of 0.04 ha each were randomly placed in each of the habitats whereby all trees with DBH ≥ 10 cm were inventoried. A total of 67 species representing 26 families were recorded. Fabaceae was the most speciose and abundant family. Brachystegia spiciformis was the most abundant species. Of the recorded species, 10.45% were common in the three habitats while 8.95%, 13.43%, and 26.86% occurred exclusively to the edge, intermediate, and interior habitats, respectively. The forest interior was significantly rich in terms of species richness, diversity, density, and basal area than the edge and intermediate habitats. The edge had significantly higher number of stumps/ha. In summary, the results suggest that edge/intermediate and interior are contrasting habitats in terms of tree species richness, diversity, and structural composition. Moreover, the forest edge and intermediate habitats were found to be characterized by high anthropogenic activities compared to the forest interior habitat.

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