scholarly journals Human-modified landscape acts as refuge for mammals in Atlantic Forest

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Augusto de Abreu Bovo ◽  
Marcelo Magioli ◽  
Alexandre Reis Percequillo ◽  
Cecilia Kruszynski ◽  
Vinicius Alberici ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Species List ◽  
Generalist Species

Abstract: Human-modified landscapes (HMLs) are composed by small, isolated and defaunated forest fragments, which are surrounded by agricultural and urban areas. Information on species that thrives in these HMLs is essential to direct conservation strategies in local and regional scales. Since HMLs are dominant in the Atlantic Forest, we aimed to assess the mammalian diversity in a HML in southeastern Brazil and to propose conservation strategies. We collected data of terrestrial (small-, medium- and large-sized) and volant mammals in three small forest fragments (10, 14 and 26 ha) and adjacent areas, between 2003 and 2016, using complementary methods: active search, camera trapping, live-traps, mist nets and occasional records (i.e., roadkills). In addition, we used secondary data to complement our species list. We recorded 35 native mammal species (6 small-sized, 16 medium- and large-sized, and 13 bats) and seven exotic species in the HML. The recorded mammal assemblage (non-volant and volant), although mainly composed of common and generalist species, includes three medium- and large-sized species nationally threatened (Leopardus guttulus, Puma concolor and Puma yagouaroundi) and two data deficient species (Galictis cuja and Histiotus velatus), highlighting the importance of this HML for the maintenance and conservation of mammal populations. Despite highly impacted by anthropogenic disturbances, the study area harbors a significant richness of medium- and large-sized mammals, being an important biodiversity refuge in the region. However, this biodiversity is threatened by the low quality of the habitats, roadkills and abundant populations of domestic cats and dogs. Therefore, we stress the need of conservation strategies focusing on the medium- and large-sized mammals as an umbrella group, which could benefit all biodiversity in the landscape. We recommend actions that promotes biological restoration, aiming to increase structural composition and connectivity of the forest fragments, reducing roadkills and controlling the domestic cats and dogs' populations, in order to maintain and improve the diversity of mammals in long-term.

scholarly journals Small mammals in high fragmented landscape in Cerrado/Atlantic Forest ecotone, Southeastern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe S. Machado ◽  
Aloysio S. Moura ◽  
Ravi F. Mariano ◽  
Rubens Manoel dos Santos ◽  
Paulo O. Garcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Landscape Fragmentation ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Fragmented Landscape ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Ecological Groups ◽  
Environmental Filters ◽  
Generalist Species

ABSTRACT Exploratory human activities have resulted in small fragments inserted into a matrix which is inhospitable to small non-flying mammals. The effects of landscape changes alter the distribution patterns of species. Landscape fragmentation patterns for small mammals are controversial, especially considering small fragments and ecotonal regions. Based on these arguments, we investigated the diversity patterns of small mammals in small fragments in the ecotonal Cerrado/Atlantic Forest region. A total of 24 fragments (<40 ha) were studied using tomahawk, sherman and pitfall traps. We found low species richness (11 species, six marsupials and five rodents), which was not expected because it is an ecotonal region. It was verified that composition and community structure are simplified by the marked presence of generalist species and with the increase of species turnover. The small forest fragments present a microhabitat structure with lianas and streams as main environmental filters of groups with ecological similarities. Our findings suggest that these fragments must be managed in order to conserve the local biodiversity and maintain the needed characteristics to enable the occurrence of different ecological groups.

scholarly journals Non-volant small mammals at an Atlantic forest area situated nearby a limestone quarry (Limeira quarry), state of São Paulo, Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 191-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natália Oliveira Leiner ◽  
Wesley Rodrigues Silva
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Forest Area ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Limestone Quarry ◽  
Mammal Communities

Our aim was to survey the non-flying small mammals inhabiting an Atlantic forest area situated nearby a limestone quarry (Limeira quarry), located at Ribeirão Grande municipality (SP), southeastern Brazil. Species were captured with pitfall and Sherman traps along eight pairs of 60 m transects distributed at four different distances from the quarry (60, 220, 740 and 1300 m). Between October 2005 and January 2008, 20 small mammal species (11 rodents and nine marsupials) were captured through 4080 pitfall trap-nights and 2040 Sherman trap-nights. The high values of richness, diversity (H' = 2.65) and equability (J = 0.88), and the presence of endemic and threatened species indicates a preserved study site and small mammal assemblage. Marmosops incanus, Monodelphis americana and Oligoryzomys nigripes were the commonest species at the study site. Trapping sites located closer to the quarry (60 and 220 m away from the quarry) presented lower richness and were dominated by disturbance-tolerant species, such as O. nigripes, that usually benefit from habitat alterations. On the other hand, sites located away from the quarry and closer to Serra do Mar Protected Area (740 and 1300 m away from the quarry) presented higher richness and diversity, and a higher abundance of disturbance-intolerant species. These results suggest a negative distance-dependent impact of quarrying on small mammal communities. In this way, our results point out to the importance of long-term monitoring of quarrying impacts on small non-flying mammal communities and populations, and the need of conservation strategies in order to ensure species persistence in these areas.

Bird Extinctions in Atlantic Forest Fragments of the Viçosa Region, Southeastern Brazil

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1827-1839 ◽  
Author(s):  
RÔMULO RIBON ◽  
JOSÉ EDUARDO SIMON ◽  
GERALDO THEODORO DE MATTOS
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Forest Fragments

scholarly journals Tolerance to Human Presence, a Comparison between Rural and Urban Birds in Southeastern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Maria Cecília Barbosa de Toledo
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Urban Birds ◽  
Human Presence ◽  
Individual Bird

Green urban areas such as parks, squares, gardens, and forest fragments present a large diversity of uses and conservation objectives. These spaces provide resources for many species of birds that are confronted with the necessity of living in proximity to humans. It is assumed that bird species that acquire resources in urban environments live in a constant state of fear to guarantee survival and reproduction. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the tolerance of birds with respect to human presence in two distinct conditions, rural areas (low level of human presence) and urban areas (high level of human presence). The fieldwork was conducted in a city in the Southeast region of Brazil, and the methodology used the alert distance and flight initiation measurements based on the approach of an observer to the individual bird being focused. Our results suggest that individuals observed in urban areas rely on shorter alert and escape distances, especially males, adults, and birds that forage in interspecific flocks. We discuss the challenges and strategies with respect to escape characteristics of urban birds, with special focus on the economic escape theory. In general, our results support those from studies conducted in other urban areas in different biogeographic regions, and they will aid in comprehending the impacts caused by the increase in urban areas around the world.

scholarly journals Effects of proximity to urban areas on a riparian bird community in remnant Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Ana Cecília de Paula Lourenço ◽  
Maria Cecília Barbosa de Toledo
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Average Height ◽  
Trophic Groups ◽  
Generalist Species ◽  
Canopy Opening

   The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of urban activities on the structure and composition of a bird community in riparian forests in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The study was carried out in seven areas of remnant riparian forest where fixed points have been established to sample bird species. Richness, diversity, abundance, frequency and trophic groups were used as metrics of the bird community. At each point measurements were taken for: (1) habitat characteristics: average height of trees, number of trees above 2m, number of shrubs <2m and the percentage of canopy opening; (2) neighborhood characteristics: closest distance from open areas, highways, urban areas, river and floodplain to the point of observation. The observations resulted in 88 species of birds belonging to 34 families. The most representative families were Tyrannidae, Thraupidae and Picidae. The most predominant trophic groups were insectivorous (54%), omnivorous (11.5%) and frugivorous (10.3%). The results obtained showed that the number of trees explained the variation in abundance, while the mean height of the trees explained variations in richness and frequency. Overall, the bird community was negatively affected by proximity of urban areas and highways. In conclusion, the community of birds in the riparian forest may be affected by the loss of trees above 2m and by urbanization, leading mainly to the replacement of species belonging to specialist trophic groups by generalist species and those more adjusted to human presence.

scholarly journals Successional stage effect on the availability of tree cavities for cavity-nesting birds in an Atlantic Forest park from the state of São Paulo, Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Viana Katayama ◽  
Paulo Victor Queijo Zima ◽  
Daniel Fernandes Perrella ◽  
Mercival Roberto Francisco
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Human Disturbances ◽  
Successional Stage ◽  
Forest Park ◽  
Tree Cavities ◽  
Cavity Nesters ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Successional Stages

Abstract The availability of suitable cavities and substrate for hole construction can limit the populations of birds that rely on tree hollows to reproduce. Several studies have focused on the effects of types of habitats, and types of human disturbances on cavities abundance, but the effect of successional stages in the Atlantic Forest has been poorly addressed. In this study we aimed to compare the availability and biometric characteristics of tree cavities between primary and mid-successional stage sites in an Atlantic Forest area from southeastern Brazil. Based on nest characteristics described in the literature, we inferred if hollows present in secondary sites could harbor the large secondary-nester Atlantic Forest birds, with special attention to toucans and hawks. From September 2016 to April 2017, 96 cavities were sampled, 67 in the primary, and 29 in the secondary plots. Our data revealed that the communities of cavity-nester birds in mid-successional stage areas may be more affected by the reduced cavity availability than by cavities quality, as the number of cavities in these sites was less than half than that found in mature forests. We also provide evidences that the largest cavity nesters, such as the biggest hawks, might have limited nesting possibilities in mid-successional stage areas especially due to small cavity entrances, which may have important reflects in conservation strategies.

scholarly journals Amphibians of Vassununga State Park, one of the last remnants of semideciduous Atlantic Forest and Cerrado in northeastern São Paulo state, Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronildo Alves Benício ◽  
Fernando Rodrigues da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Red List ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Species List ◽  
Paulo State ◽  
São Paulo State

Abstract Although São Paulo state has one of the best known amphibian fauna in Brazil, there are still protected areas for which the species composition remains unknown. Here, we present the first species list of anuran amphibians in Vassununga State Park. This area is one of the last remnants of semideciduous Atlantic Forest and Cerrado in the northeastern region of São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. To survey species, we visited six sites (two ponds, two streams, and two transects) in December, January, and February of 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, totalizing 18 days of field samplings at each site. We recorded 24 anuran species belonging to four families: Bufonidae (2 species), Hylidae (11 species), Leptodactylidae (10 species), and Microhylidae (1 species). Anurans consist mainly of generalist and widely distributed species. Although none of the species recorded are threatened with extinction according to the International Red List of Endangered Species (IUCN), four species have declining population and another three species have unknown population trends.

scholarly journals Soil quality indicators in areas with different vegetation cover in the Atlantic Forest biome, Southeastern Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Fernado Silva Coutinho ◽  
Luiz Alberto da Silva Rodrigues Pinto ◽  
Marcos Gervasio Pereira ◽  
Shirlei Almeida Assunção ◽  
Silver Rodrigues Zandoná ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Secondary Forests ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Humic Fractions ◽  
Forest Biome

The southeast region of Brazil, in the Atlantic Forest biome, has been impacted for a long time, observing today small agricultural areas inserted in a matrix of pastures and forest fragments, the soils being highly modified due to the different forms of use they were submitted. The objective of this study was to evaluate the organic carbon content in the humic fractions on soil organic matter (SOM), the distribution of aggregates in size classes and the porosity and aggregates density variables by means of computed tomography in secondary forest, pasture and agriculture areas in Pinheiral (RJ). Three areas composed of secondary forests with different succession stages and three managed areas were evaluated: Secondary Forest (SF) Initial Stage (SFIS), Medium Stage (SFMS), Advanced Stage (SFAS), mixed managed pasture (MMP), and perennial and annual agriculture (PA and AA, respectively). Three types of samples were collected in different layers: i) deformed samples to quantify carbon in the SOM humic fractions; ii) clods for quantifying the mass of aggregates and later assessing the distribution by diameter classes; and iii) undisturbed samples collected with the aid of an acrylic cylinder to perform computed tomography (CT). Humic substances and aggregate classes below 2.0 mm were the attributes most influenced by the forms of use and/or vegetation cover. The CT technique proved to be efficient in the measurement of the edaphic attribute’s porosity and density of the aggregates, helping in the characterization and separation of the different environments.

scholarly journals Genetics of Euglossini bees (Hymenoptera) in fragments of the Atlantic Forest in the region of Viçosa, MG

2005 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 541-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Waldschmidt ◽  
L. A. Lopes ◽  
P. Marco Jr. ◽  
L. A. O. Campos
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Markers ◽  
Genetic Variability ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Eulaema Nigrita ◽  
Genetic Patterns ◽  
Successional Stages

With uncontrolled deforestation, forest fragments remain, which in most cases are in different stages of regeneration and present isolated populations. In the present study we analyzed the genetic patterns of Eulaema nigrita populations in seven Atlantic Forest fragments of different sizes and successional stages in the region of Viçosa, MG. This was done by RAPD molecular markers. We observed that the area of the fragments had no effect on the genetic variability of E. nigrita in the direction predicted by meta-population models. Medium-sized well-preserved woods presented the lowest variability, whereas large and small woods were statistically identical. The evidence supports the notion that rural areas present greater dispersal among fragments, implying greater similarity between the populations of fragments located in rural areas when compared to fragments in urban areas.

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