scholarly journals Liana species composition differs, in spite of trait similarities, in two adjacent forest types in Central Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 1215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina Souza Brito ◽  
Alexandre Ferraro ◽  
Robyn J. Burnham ◽  
Ângela Lúcia Bagnatori Sartori ◽  
Vivian Almeida Assunção
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Climbing Plants ◽  
Dispersal Syndromes

In the Parana basin, the Serra de Maracaju juxtaposes the Seasonal Dry Forest and the cerradão (a phytophysiognomy of Cerrado), two distinct vegetation types that differ in canopy height, tree density, and composition of the understory. In the same way, these differences may be reflected in the composition of climbing plant species found in these two forest types. Thus, in this study we compared the climbing species in two forest fragments of Serra de Maracaju to understand: (1) Are species richness and floristic composition of climbing plants similar in cerradão and seasonal deciduous forest?, (2) What degree of floristic compositional difference exists between the two vegetation types?, (3) Do the two vegetation types differ significantly in climbing mechanisms, life forms, and dispersal syndromes represented among climbing species? For this, we established and sampled four plots per forest type over 24 months. Species were identified and each one classified, based on three discrete traits. Proportional differences were analyzed using chi-square tests. Our results showed that species richness and floristic composition of climbing plants in the cerradão and the seasonal deciduous forest were not similar. Climber species richness in cerradão was 37 while in the seasonal deciduous forest it was 31; they share only 13 species. Four families, Dioscoreaceae, Fabaceae, Malpighiaceae, and Sapindaceae, included over 60% of the climbing species. The morphological traits most common in both forest types were herbaceous life form, apical twining mechanism, and wind dispersal. Dioscoreaceae was found to be the dominant family, but is the first time to be reported for this condition in Brazil. Bignoniaceae and Passifloraceae ocurred only in the cerradão, and Asteraceae and Combretaceae in the seasonal deciduous forest; some species were found exclusively in a type of forest. Floristic composition of the cerradão and seasonal deciduous forest fragments were substantially different, in spite of physical proximity. However, their climbing species are not statistically distinct in morphological characteristics, possibly due to uniform climatic conditions and the similarity of species because of a shared ancestry (similar families).

scholarly journals Bird communities in three forest types in the Pernambuco Centre of Endemism, Alagoas, Brazil

2013 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lahert W. Lobo-Araújo ◽  
Mário T. F. Toledo ◽  
Márcio A. Efe ◽  
Ana C. M. Malhado ◽  
Marcos V. C. Vital ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Risk Of Extinction ◽  
Bird Fauna ◽  
Richness Patterns ◽  
Ombrophilous Forest

The Pernambuco Center of Endemism (PCE) in northeastern Brazil is highly fragmented and degraded. Despite its potential conservation importance the bird fauna in this area is still relatively unknown and there are many remnant fragments that have not been systematically surveyed. Here, we report the results of bird surveys in five forest fragments (one pioneer, two ombrophilous and two seasonal). In total, 162 taxa were recorded, 12 of which are endemic to the PCE. The frequency of endangered species was lower than what has been reported in studies from the same area and most of the taxa considered to be at risk of extinction were sub-species of uncertain taxonomic validity. The comparatively low number of endemic/threatened species may be due to the small size of the fragments in the present study - a consequence of the high levels of habitat loss in this region. Analysis of species richness patterns indicates that ombrophilous forest fragments are acting as refuges for those bird species that are most sensitive to environmental degradation.

A comparison of Mopaneveld vegetation in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe

Bothalia ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Siebert ◽  
G. J. Bredenkamp ◽  
S. J. Siebert
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Rainfall Events

Data from fifteen phytosociological studies were merged and classified to describe and compare the vegetation of geo­graphically separated and climatically different Mopanev eld types in South Africa. Namibia and Zimbabw e. Seven v egetation types and ten major plant communities were identified using TW INSPAN. Vegetation types were separated according to geo­graphical regions. There were significant floristic affinities even though there w ere geological and climatic differences between the regions. Plant communities were described according to vegetation structure, habitat and floristic composition. Although environmental data were not adequate for a detailed ordination. DECORANA reflected the distribution of vegetation types and major plant communities along environmental gradients. Limitations of large phytosociological syntheses were also addressed. Species richness (alpha diversity) was calculated for each geographical region. The Musina (Messina) region north of the Soutpansberg. South Africa, has the highest species richness, and Kaokoland. Namibia, the lowest Due to irregular annual rainfall patterns in semi-arid Mopaneveld, it is suggested that variance in species richness is associated with temporal vegeta­tion states induced by rainfall events. Species richness of Mopaneveld was further compared w ith other sav anna types.

Observations on the vegetation of northeastern Mato Grosso: I. The woody vegetation types of the Xavantina-Cachimbo Expedition Area

1973 ◽  
Vol 266 (880) ◽  
pp. 449-492 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Water Table ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Woody Vegetation ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Gallery Forest ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Amazonian Forest ◽  
Base Camp

The Xavantina-Cachimbo Expedition worked during 1967-9 in a 20 km square around a base camp (12° 49' N, 51° 46' W), ca . 260 km north of Xavantina (NE Mato Grosso) and near Xavantina itself. The vegetation is of special interest because the base camp is situated near the junction of the savanna region of Central Brazil and the Amazonian forest. It is a pattern of savanna (cerrado), savanna woodland (cerradão), forest and treeless grassland (campo) with often remarkably abrupt boundaries between the different communities. Until 1967 the area had been very little affected by man. The climate is characterized by high temperature throughout the year, an annual rainfall of about 1200 to 1400 mm, and a more or less rainless dry season from June to September inclusive. During the dry season the cerrado, campo and some forms of cerradao vegetation are subject to fire, but are not burned every year. The forest, except the Deciduous Seasonal forest, is not normally burned. The rocks consist of sandstones overlying shale and mudstones. The sandstone weathers to form widespread dystrophic soils of low nutrient content, whilst the finer textured rocks, exposed in some deeper valleys, produce somewhat richer mesotrophic soils. The woody vegetation types of dystrophic soils are classified into three types of Evergreen Seasonal forest (‘Swampy Gallery' forest,‘Valley' forest and ‘Dry' forest), cerradão and cerrado. The Swampy Gallery forest is found along streams where the water table is close to the surface even in the dry season and is often bordered on one or both sides by strips of campo. In composition it resembles an impoverished Amazonian rain forest. The top-storey is dominated by Qualea ingens and Q. wittrockii , growing sometimes to 40 m, and the undergrowth includes numerous dicotyledons, Scitamineae, grasses and other monocotyledons. At a slightly higher level in stream valleys there is another type of tall forest, Valley forest, in which characteristic trees (all growing to about 40 m) are Apuleia molaris, Copaifera langsdorfii, Hymenaea stilbocarpa and Ormosia sp. (Tento). Much the most extensive type of Evergreen Seasonal forest is the Dry forest which represents the southern fringe of the Amazonian forest and covers a vast area stretching away northwards from the base camp area. This is a mixed community in which the trees seldom grow to more than 20 m. The most abundant species of the upper storey in the area studied are C haetocarpus echinocarpus, Licania blackii, L. kunthiana, Saco glottis guianensis and Xylopia amazonica . The transition from Dry forest to cerrado is sometimes abrupt, but elsewhere there is an ecotone in which Hirtella glandulosa cerradão forms a recognizable nodum, occupying a zone up to 4 km wide. Characteristic species in this are Emmotum nitens, Sclerolobium paniculatum and Vochysia haenkeana , as well as H. glandulosa . The boundary between cerrado and Dry forest appears to be dynamic and there are some indications that the forest has recently invaded the cerrado. The present boundary does not seem to be primarily dependent on climate or burning but shows some relation to soil conditions, though apart from a higher clay content in the latter the cerrado and forest soils are much alike. Cerrado has a lower degree of crown cover than cerradão; it is a type of open savanna with grassy undergrowth and is extremely variable in floristic composition and no clearly defined associations could be recognized. The boundary between cerrado and campo in valleys is sharp and appears to be determined by the height of the water table in the wet season. The mesotrophic soils are occupied by Deciduous Seasonal forest, the only woody community in the area in which the top storey becomes leafless in the dry season. The fioristic composition of this community is very different from that of the other forest types and characteristic top-storey species include Cedrela fissilis, Piptadenia macrocarpa, Platypodium elegans and Sterculia striata , with Acacia polyphylla and Bauhinia cupulata as a second storey. Bamboos and the palm Acrocomia sp. are features of the undergrowth. Floristically this community is similar to forest types found on calcareous rocks in Goiás and Minas Gerais. It is fringed by a characteristic cerradão, termed Magonia pubescens / Callisthene fasciculaia cerradão.

scholarly journals Distribution Patterns and Floristic Analysis of the Colymbada Tauromenitana (Guss.) Holub Populations in Sicily (Italy)

2014 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saverio Sciandrello ◽  
Sonia D’agostino
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Risk Status ◽  
The Third ◽  
Floristic Analysis ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
Main Factor

AbstractColymbada tauromenitana(Guss.) Holub (Asteraceae) is a rare paleoendem-ic, chasmophyte species, occurring on calcareous cliffs in the eastern part of Sicily (Italy). The aim of this work is to analyze the structure and floristic composition of theC. tauromenitanacommunity, in order to characterize the diversity of populations in relation to different ecological data. In all, 61 plots were examined. For each plot, the floristic composition and the cover of the species were determined using the standard relevé method. Three vegetation types emerged from canonical components analysis (CCA), correlated to a gradient of environmental conditions ranging from the coast to inland areas. The first group withLomelosia creticaandDianthus rupicolasubsp.rupicolawas correlated to thermo-xerophilous conditions (lower thermo-Mediterranean belt), the second group withSilene fruticosaandColymbada tauromenitanawas linked to thermophilous conditions (upper thermo-Mediterranean belt) and the third withDianthus siculusandOdontites boc-coneiwas correlated to mesophilous conditions (meso-Mediterranean belt). Altitude is the main factor influencing both species richness and floristic composition. The density ofC. tauromenitanais influenced mainly by rainfall. Finally, we propose a new risk status for this rare species.

scholarly journals La flora arbórea de Michoacán, México

2017 ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva M. Cué-Bär ◽  
José Luis Villaseñor ◽  
Libertad Arredondo-Amezcua ◽  
Guadalupe Cornejo-Tenorio ◽  
Guillermo Ibarra-Manríquez
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
The State ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Tropical Deciduous Forest ◽  
Oak Forest ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Geologic History

Based on the review of floristic and taxonomic literature, as well as on the examination of specimens housed at the herbaria of the Centro Regional del Bajío (IEB) and the Instituto de Biología (MEXU), we recorded 845 species, 352 genera and 100 families of trees for the state of Michoacán, Mexico. The largest numbers of species per family were recorded for Asteraceae (82), Fabaceae (74), Mimosaceae (67), Caesalpiniaceae (39) and Burseraceae (38), while at the genus level Bursera (37), Quercus (35), Lonchocarpus (19), Senna (18), and Acacia (16) are the most speciose. The genus Beiselia (Burseraceae) and 14 species (1.8 %) are strict endemics to the state. A total of 28 families (28%) and 210 genera (60%) are represented in the state only by one tree species each. The most important vegetation types according to their species richness are tropical deciduous forest (593, 70.2%), coniferous forest (336, 39.8%) and oak forest (332, 39.3%). A high proportion (69.9%) of Michoacán’s tree species is located in 2-4 vegetation types; 173 species (21.5%) have been found just in one type, mainly in the tropical dry forest (87 species, 10.3%). The floristic richness of Michoacán is largely explained by its complex geologic history, its rugged physiography, its diverse climate, and its multiple vegetation types, as well as by its location at the confluence of the Holartic and Neotropical floristic kingdoms. Counties and species on which to focus conservation efforts for trees in the state are pinponted.

scholarly journals Relief influence on tree species richness in secondary forest fragments of Atlantic Forest, SE, Brazil

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 589-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Goulart da Silva ◽  
Jean Paul Metzger ◽  
Luis Carlos Bernacci ◽  
Eduardo Luís Martins Catharino ◽  
Giselda Durigan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Tree Species Richness ◽  
Se Brazil

The aim of this work was to explore the relationship between tree species richness and morphological characteristics of relief at the Ibiúna Plateau (SE Brazil). We sampled 61 plots of 0.30 ha, systematically established in 20 fragments of secondary forest (2-274 ha) and in three areas within a continuous secondary forest site, Morro Grande Reserve (9,400 ha). At each plot, 100 trees with diameter at breast height > 5 cm were sampled by the point centered quarter method, and total richness and richness per dispersal and succession class were obtained. The relief was characterized by the mean and variance of slope, elevation, aspect and slope location. There was no significant relationship between relief heterogeneity and tree species richness. Relief parameters generally did not affect tree richness, but elevation was particularly important especially in the continuous forest. Despite the limited range of altitudinal variation (150 m), species richness increases with elevation. The highest areas were also those with the largest forest cover and the lowest disturbance degree, which should contribute to the greater richness of those sites. Our results suggest an indirect influence of relief, due to the fact that deforestation is less intense in higher regions, rather than a direct influence of abiotic factors related to the altitudinal gradient.

scholarly journals Vegetation structure and ecological characteristics of forest of North Andaman Islands (India)

2009 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Prasad ◽  
A. Sringeswara ◽  
C. Reddy ◽  
P. Kumari ◽  
R. Varalakshmi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Evergreen Forest ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Andaman Islands ◽  
Forest Communities ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Ecological Characteristics ◽  
Girth Class

Vegetation structure and ecological characteristics of forest of North Andaman Islands (India)In this study, 3-ha research plots were established, one each in evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous forests of North Andaman Islands. These 3 vegetation types were selected to study the structural aspects of plant diversity in forest communities. Our results showed high species richness and basal area in evergreen forest, high diversity in semi-evergreen forest, and high tree density (trees ha-1) in moist deciduous forest. At family level, the Anacardiaceae and Sterculiaceae dominated all the forest types, and were distributed throughout the North Andaman Islands. In the 3 forest communities, most species exhibited clumped spatial distribution, while random distribution ranked second. Tree girth class distribution revealed a decreasing number of trees with increasing girth class, indicating natural regeneration of these forest types. The species-area curve clearly reached a plateau at 3-ha area in respect of species number, supporting the adequacy of the large plot size selected in the present investigation. The study recorded a total of 136 tree species in the 3 forest communities and was higher than in many other tropical forest sites. The vegetation analysis of 3-ha plot in 3 different forest types substantially contributed data on North Andaman site potentiality, with reference to its species richness and diversity.

scholarly journals Do habitat fragmentation and fire influence variation of plant species composition, structure and diversity within three regional ecosystems on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia?

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohan Etherington ◽  
Alison Shapcott
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Habitat Fragmentation ◽  
Forest Ecosystem ◽  
Patch Size ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Time Since Fire ◽  
Fixed Sample ◽  
Open Forest ◽  
Composition Structure

Habitat fragmentation is considered to be one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. Species richness is predicted to decrease with decreasing patch size and increasing isolation, and this has been shown in some ecosystems. However, few studies have specifically investigated the effects of fragmentation on specific vegetation types, or compared different vegetation types within the same region. In this study, we assessed the influence of habitat fragmentation and time since fire on the floristic composition, structure and diversity of three ecosystems with varying fire proneness within the Sunshine Coast region. This study found that the tall-open forest ecosystem (RE 12.9-10.14) had higher overall species richness within fixed sample areas used for this study than did either open forest (RE 12.5.3) or gallery rainforest (RE 12.3.1), because it was composed of species typical of each of these ecosystem types. Open forest species richness was found mostly in the lower stratum, whereas gallery rainforest diversity was found in the upper stratum. Species richness decreased with increasing isolation in the open forest ecosystem where seeds are mostly abiotically dispersed. However, this study did not find strong evidence for reduced species richness within smaller patches in any ecosystem type studied; instead, finding species richness decreased with increasing patch size in the open forest ecosystem. Overall, across ecosystems, time since fire affected vegetation structure, but in fire-prone ecosystems, time since fire was not a determinant of species richness within the sites studied.

scholarly journals Estructura, composición y diversidad de la selva baja caducifolia del Cerro Verde, Nizanda (Oaxaca), México

2017 ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
José A. Gallardo-Cruz ◽  
Jorge A. Meave ◽  
Eduardo A. Pérez-García
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Tropical Region ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Seasonally Dry

In this study we describe the structure, floristic composition, and diversity of the tropical dry forest established on the Cerro Verde (Verde Hill), located at Nizanda (Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico). We censused woody plants with DBH Ɛ 1 cm (upper stratum) present in 30 100-m2 plots, and in five 4-m2 subplots within each of them, those plants with height > 30 cm but < 1 cm DBH (lower stratum). A total of 194 species belonging to 52 families were recorded. Species richness was identical in both strata (145 species), each contributing exclusively with ca. 25% of total recorded richness. Leguminosae was the most speciose family (27), followed by Asteraceae (20) and Euphorbiaceae (18). The most frequent species were Bursera simaruba + B. aff. cinerea (not distinguished in the field), Euphorbia schlechtendalii, Pilosocereus collinsii and Capparis verrucosa. Average richness by plot was 30 species. Mean values of indices based on species richness and abundances (Berger-Parker = 0.20;  Simpson = 0.09; Fisher’s[= 9.47; Shannon = 2.78; eveness = 0.82) indicated a high diversity and consequently a low dominance in this forest. Extrapolated values showed a total (upper + lower strata) density of 23,950 ind. ha-1 (830 ind. ha-1 with DBH Ɛ 10 cm), a forest cover of 446.7%, and a basal area of 53 m2 ha-1. Mean height of those individuals accounting for 10% of the highest trees by plot was 9.1 m. Tropical dry forest structure at Cerro Verde is comparable to other Mexican communities within the seasonally dry tropical region and indicates a good conservation status. This feature, together with its particular floristic composition, makes of this area a high priority site which requires inclusion in a formal conservation scheme.

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