scholarly journals Richness, composition and trophic groups of an avian community in the Pernambuco Endemism Centre, Alagoas, Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 1207-1220 ◽  
Author(s):  
GUILHERME S. TOLEDO-LIMA ◽  
PHOEVE MACARIO ◽  
RACHEL M. DE LYRA-NEVES ◽  
BRUNO P. TEIXEIRA ◽  
LUIZ A.F. DE LIMA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Trophic Groups ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Sensitive Species ◽  
Avian Community ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Surrounding Matrix

In northeastern Brazil, the reduction of the natural forest cover to a series of small, isolated fragments has had negative consequences for the local avian fauna, in particular, a loss of the more specialized species, while the populations of some generalists have tended to increase. The present study focuses on the composition and trophic groups of a bird community on a farm in the northeastern Brazilian state of Alagoas. Monthly surveys were conducted between November 2008 and October 2009, based on mist-netting and systematic observations. Overall, 112 species were recorded, of which 76 were associated with the two forest fragments surveyed, while all the others were observed exclusively in the surrounding matrix of pasture and orchards. The bird community presented a predominance of insectivorous species, followed by omnivores. However, specialized trunk-creeping and understory insectivores accounted for only around 15% of the species in this feeding category. The reduced diversity of other guilds and species with more specialized diets, and the complete absence of sensitive species such as large parrots and raptors, reflects the severe fragmentation and degradation of the local forests, which has greatly reduced the availability of dietary resources and breeding sites.

scholarly journals Deforestation Simplifies Understory Bird Seed-Dispersal Networks in Human-Modified Landscapes

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ícaro Menezes Pinto ◽  
Carine Emer ◽  
Eliana Cazetta ◽  
José Carlos Morante-Filho
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Species Interaction ◽  
Edge Density ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Sensitive Species ◽  
Local Characteristics ◽  
Understory Birds ◽  
Total Core Area

Global biodiversity is threatened by land-use changes through human activities. This is mainly due to the conversion of continuous forests into forest fragments surrounded by anthropogenic matrices. In general, sensitive species are lost while species adapted to disturbances succeed in altered environments. However, whether the interactions performed by the persisting species are also modified, and how it scales up to the network level throughout the landscape are virtually unknown in most tropical hotspots of biodiversity. Here we evaluated how landscape predictors (forest cover, total core area, edge density, inter-patch isolation) and local characteristics (fruit availability, vegetation complexity) affected understory birds seed-dispersal networks in 19 forest fragments along the hyperdiverse but highly depauperate northeast distribution of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Also, our sampled sites were distributed in two regions with contrasting land cover changes. We used mist nets to obtain samples of understory bird food contents to identify the plant species consumed and dispersed by them. We estimated network complexity on the basis of the number of interactions, links per species, interaction evenness, and modularity. Our findings showed that the number of interactions increased with the amount of forest cover, and it was significantly lower in the more deforested region. None of the other evaluated parameters were affected by any other landscape or local predictors. We also observed a lack of significant network structure compared to null models, which we attribute to a pervasive impoverishment of bird and plant communities in these highly modified landscapes. Our results demonstrate the importance of forest cover not only to maintain species diversity but also their respective mutualistic relationships, which are the bases for ecosystem functionality, forest regeneration and the provision of ecological services.

Insect vectors and their relationship with sustainable development indicators in neighborhoods of Natal, Northeastern Brazil

Gaia Scientia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 182-194
Author(s):  
Paulo Sérgio Fagundes Araujo ◽  
Maria Cristiana da Silva Souto ◽  
Paulo Roberto Medeiros de Azevedo ◽  
Maria de Fatima Freire de Melo Ximenes
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Insect Vectors ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
High Positive Correlation ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Development Indicators ◽  
Sustainable Development Indicators ◽  
Sustainability Index

This study aimed to correlate sustainable development indicators with the occurrence of mosquitoes from the genus Aedes and phlebotominae sand flies, vectors of dengue fever, American visceral leishmaniasis and American tegumentary leishmaniasis, in order to establish a relationship between infestation indices and sustainability conditions in southern and northern neighborhoods of Natal, Brazil, adjacent to environmental protection zones 5 and 9, respectively. Data were obtained on Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus breeding sites and captures of phlebotominae sand flies of the genus Lutzomyia in the study area between 2006 and 2008, from the Center of Zoonosis Control of the Municipal Health Secretariat, and correlated with environmental and social indicators. Factorial analysis was applied to transform these indicators into a sustainability index for each neighborhood studied (Neighborhood Sustainability Index – NSI). Relating these indices with the occurrence of insect vectors at these sites shows a high positive correlation between SID and the Breteau index of A. aegypti (p=0.028) and with the index of household infestation by phlebotominae sand flies (p=0.01). This reveals a pattern allowing the association of sustainability conditions in the study areas with the occurrence of these insects. Analyses demonstrate the occurrence of a larger number of A. aegypti breeding sites and higher indices of household infestation by phlebotominae sand flies in neighborhoods with lower sustainability indices. Knowledge of the relationship between sustainable development indicators and the occurrence of zoonotic vectors may contribute to public health programs as well as to a restructuring of public policies in the study areas.

scholarly journals Investigating impact of land-use and land cover changes on hydro-ecological balance using GIS: insights from IIT Bombay, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aman Srivastava ◽  
Pennan Chinnasamy
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Ecological Stability ◽  
Barren Land ◽  
Ecological Balance ◽  
Lulc Changes

AbstractThe present study, for the first time, examined land-use land cover (LULC), changes using GIS, between 2000 and 2018 for the IIT Bombay campus, India. Objective was to evaluate hydro-ecological balance inside campus by determining spatio-temporal disparity between hydrological parameters (rainfall-runoff processes), ecological components (forest, vegetation, lake, barren land), and anthropogenic stressors (urbanization and encroachments). High-resolution satellite imageries were generated for the campus using Google Earth Pro, by manual supervised classification method. Rainfall patterns were studied using secondary data sources, and surface runoff was estimated using SCS-CN method. Additionally, reconnaissance surveys, ground-truthing, and qualitative investigations were conducted to validate LULC changes and hydro-ecological stability. LULC of 2018 showed forest, having an area cover of 52%, as the most dominating land use followed by built-up (43%). Results indicated that the area under built-up increased by 40% and playground by 7%. Despite rapid construction activities, forest cover and Powai lake remained unaffected. This anomaly was attributed to the drastically declining barren land area (up to ~ 98%) encompassing additional construction activities. Sustainability of the campus was demonstrated with appropriate measures undertaken to mitigate negative consequences of unwarranted floods owing to the rise of 6% in the forest cover and a decline of 21% in water hyacinth cover over Powai lake. Due to this, surface runoff (~ 61% of the rainfall) was observed approximately consistent and being managed appropriately despite major alterations in the LULC. Study concluded that systematic campus design with effective implementation of green initiatives can maintain a hydro-ecological balance without distressing the environmental services.

scholarly journals Contrasting responses of above- and belowground diversity to multiple components of land-use intensity

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaëtane Le Provost ◽  
Jan Thiele ◽  
Catrin Westphal ◽  
Caterina Penone ◽  
Eric Allan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Land Use Intensity ◽  
Trophic Groups ◽  
Multiple Components ◽  
Belowground Diversity ◽  
Landscape Level

AbstractLand-use intensification is a major driver of biodiversity loss. However, understanding how different components of land use drive biodiversity loss requires the investigation of multiple trophic levels across spatial scales. Using data from 150 agricultural grasslands in central Europe, we assess the influence of multiple components of local- and landscape-level land use on more than 4,000 above- and belowground taxa, spanning 20 trophic groups. Plot-level land-use intensity is strongly and negatively associated with aboveground trophic groups, but positively or not associated with belowground trophic groups. Meanwhile, both above- and belowground trophic groups respond to landscape-level land use, but to different drivers: aboveground diversity of grasslands is promoted by diverse surrounding land-cover, while belowground diversity is positively related to a high permanent forest cover in the surrounding landscape. These results highlight a role of landscape-level land use in shaping belowground communities, and suggest that revised agroecosystem management strategies are needed to conserve whole-ecosystem biodiversity.

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.

Bird community structure in native forest fragments and Acacia mangium plantations in Borneo

2018 ◽  
Vol 130 (1) ◽  
pp. 112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison R. Styring ◽  
Joanes Unggang ◽  
Alex Jukie ◽  
Ollince Tateh ◽  
Nyegang Megom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Acacia Mangium ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Forest Fragments

scholarly journals Has the Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata) Declined in Western Ottawa, Ontario?

2011 ◽  
Vol 125 (3) ◽  
pp. 220
Author(s):  
David C. Seburn ◽  
Kari Gunson
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Historical Data ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Historical Records ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Median Distance ◽  
Chorus Frogs ◽  
Historical Sites ◽  
Chorus Frog

To determine whether the Western Chorus Frog has declined in western Ottawa, we conducted auditory surveys at historical locations as well as at various other wetlands. Western Chorus Frogs were detected at 12 of 18 historical locations. Wetland habitat remained at all historical locations where the species was not detected. There was no difference in the year of historical records for sites where Western Chorus Frogs were (median 1987.5) and were not (median 1987.5) detected. In the present study, Western Chorus Frogs were also detected at 30 locations where they had not been previously reported. Historical sites where Western Chorus Frogs were not detected were not significantly farther away from known Western Chorus Frog sites (median distance: 2.2 km) than historical sites where Western Chorus Frogs were detected (median distance: 1.4 km). Land use variables for historical sites where Western Chorus Frogs were and were not detected did not vary significantly at any spatial scale from 0.5 to 2.0 km. Western Chorus Frogs were detected in areas with up to 50% forest cover and up to 86% agricultural cover at the 1.0-km radius. The lack of historical data makes it difficult to assess the current status of the Western Chorus Frog in western Ottawa. The species may have declined, remained approximately the same (by shifting to different breeding sites), or even increased its distribution (by colonizing additional sites).

scholarly journals Diversity of scorpions (Chelicerata: Arachnida) in the Atlantic Forest in Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil

Check List ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Felipe de Araujo Lira ◽  
Cleide Maria Ribeiro de Albuquerque
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Moon Phase ◽  
The Family ◽  
New Moon ◽  
Important Center ◽  
Uv Lamps ◽  
Northeastern Atlantic

This study was conducted to measure the biodiversity of scorpion species in the remnants of the Brazilian northeastern Atlantic Forest, an important center of biodiversity and endemism. Collections were performed in twelve forest fragments in Sirinhaém municipality, Pernambuco State, through active searches at night by using UV lamps between 19:00h and 21:00h during the new moon phase in December 2012 and January 2013. A total of 1,125 specimens from two genera and five species were collected: Tityus pusillus Pocock, 1893; Ananteris mauryi Lourenço, 1982; Tityus brazilae Eickstedt & Lourenço, 1984; Tityus neglectus Mello-Leitão, 1932; and Tityus stigmurus (Thorell, 1876), all belonging to the family Buthidae C.L. Koch, 1837. The most abundant species was T. pusillus (90.7%), followed by A. mauryi (7.1%). Tityus brazilae, T. neglectus, and T. stigmurus together represented less than 3% of the individuals sampled.

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