Effect of environmental parameters on squamate reptiles in an urban forest fragment in central Amazonia

ABSTRACT The increasing urbanization of the Amazonian biome has promoted the creation of several forest fragments surrounded by an urban matrix, but the relationship of animal assemblages to the urban environment, especially in forest fragments, is poorly known. Here we aimed to 1) determine the composition of the squamate fauna of the largest urban forest fragment from central Amazonia, in the Brazilian city of Manaus, and 2) evaluate the influence of environmental parameters on assemblage diversity. We sampled 10 standardized riparian plots through visual search in six surveys between 2008/09 and 2015, totaling 360 observer-hours. We found 15 species of lacertoids (lizards and amphisbaenians) and seven species of snakes through active search. After considering occasional encounters and search in museum collections, we recorded a total of 24 lacertoid and 22 snake species. Multiple regression models indicated that species richness and abundance of individuals increased with the distance from the edge of the fragment, while other structural parameters of the environment did not affect the assemblage. We conclude that this forest fragment 1) consists of a subset of the regional species pool, and 2) undergoes reduction of species richness and abundance of individuals from the center to the borders. This and additional urban forest fragments should be continually monitored in order to evaluate their long-term role in maintaining the tropical biodiversity.

Download Full-text

Anuran diversity in urban and rural zones of the Itacoatiara municipality, central Amazonia, Brazil

Acta Amazonica ◽

10.1590/1809-4392201800284 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 122-130

Author(s):

Marcelo MENIN ◽

Rafaela Fernanda Batista FERREIRA ◽

Izomar Barbosa MELO ◽

Marcelo GORDO ◽

Gustavo Yomar HATTORI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Urban Forest ◽

Species Abundance ◽

Urban Landscapes ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Terra Firme ◽

Habitat Mosaics ◽

Central Amazonia ◽

Rural Sites ◽

Urban Sites

ABSTRACT Few studies in the Amazon region have evaluated anuran diversity in urban forest fragments or in areas with differing degrees of anthropogenic impact. We determined the composition and abundance of the anurofauna in urban and rural sites within the municipality of Itacoatiara in central Amazonia, Brazil. Specimens were sampled from January 2012 to May 2013 in 10 urban sites and five rural sites. A total of 1,538 anurans (930 in rural sites and 608 in urban sites) were recorded, belonging to 29 species in five families. Species richness was higher in rural sites, with 10 exclusive species. All species found in urban sites were also found in rural sites, however, species abundance varied considerably between the habitats. Sampling- and individual-based rarefaction curves showed a tendency toward stabilization of species richness only in the urban sites. We concluded that the anuran assemblages in the urban sites are depauperate due to the absence of many species associated to pristine terra firme or várzea and igapó forests. Habitat loss and quality degradation in urban landscapes are the main factors threatening amphibian diversity. The anuran assemblages in our study areas were similar to those recorded in other Amazonian habitats. Conservation measures involving anurans in this region should consider the preservation of habitat mosaics, including both pristine terra firme, várzea and igapó forests.

Download Full-text

Distribution of frogs in riparian areas of an urban forest fragment in Central Amazonia

Biota Neotropica ◽

10.1590/s1676-06032011000200007 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 63-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Bruno Minoru Tsuji-Nishikido ◽

Marcelo Menin

Keyword(s):

Leaf Litter ◽

Environmental Variables ◽

Urban Forest ◽

Forest Edge ◽

Forest Fragment ◽

Riparian Areas ◽

Central Amazonia ◽

Edge Distance ◽

Frog Species ◽

Stream Size

This study aimed to evaluate how environmental variables (width of valley, stream size, forest edge distance, and leaf-litter depth) affect the abundance and richness of species of frog species in riparian areas of an urban forest fragment in Central Amazonia. The study was conducted at the campus of the Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil, between May 2008 and April 2009, when three nocturnal and diurnal samples were taken from ten plots. A total of 17 species belonging to seven families were registered. The number of species recorded per plot varied from seven to 14. We detected a relationship between the edge distance and richness: the plots with lower richness were located near the fragment border. The variables had no significant effect on abundance of each species.

Download Full-text

ESTRUTURA, DIVERSIDADE E HETEROGENEIDADE DO ESTRATO REGENERANTE EM UM FRAGMENTO FLORESTAL URBANO APÓS 10 ANOS DE SUCESSÃO FLORESTAL

FLORESTA ◽

10.5380/rf.v45i3.34533 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 45 (3) ◽

pp. 535 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Raphaela Vilela Eiras e Paiva ◽

José Hugo Campos Ribeiro ◽

Fabricio Alvim Carvalho

Keyword(s):

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Species Diversity ◽

Urban Forest ◽

Shannon Index ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Ecological Groups ◽

Small Fragment ◽

Forest Fragment ◽

Semideciduous Forest ◽

Dalbergia Nigra

Este estudo visou avaliar a composição florística, a fitossociologia e a diversidade de espécies do estrato regenerante arbóreo de um pequeno fragmento (0,5 ha) de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, após 10 anos de abandono, no perímetro urbano do município de Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil. Os indivíduos da regeneração arbórea (altura ≥ 1 m e DAP < 5 cm) foram amostrados em 25 parcelas aleatórias de 5 x 5 m. Foram amostrados 1224 indivíduos pertencentes a 40 espécies. Houve uma forte predominância (> 90%) de espécies de estágios sucessionais iniciais (pioneiras e secundárias iniciais). Como reflexo da forte dominância ecológica observada, exercida principalmente pela elevada densidade das espécies Dalbergia nigra e Siparuna guianensis, o valor do índice de diversidade de espécies de Shannon (H’ = 2,38) foi muito inferior aos valores encontrados para fragmentos florestais maduros. Mesmo sendo um fragmento pequeno, isolado e em estágio inicial de sucessão secundária, análises multivariadas (agrupamento e DCA) evidenciaram a formação de grupos florísticos e uma forte diferenciação no arranjo das espécies, evidenciando a heterogeneidade típica de florestas tropicais. Embora apresente uma baixa diversidade, esse fragmento urbano tem funções ecológicas e sociais importantes para a região, que carece de áreas verdes para a conservação da flora nativa.AbstractStructure, diversity and heterogeneity of regeneration stratum in an urban forest fragment after 10 years of forest succession. This research aimed to evaluate the floristic composition, phytosociology and species diversity of the regenerating woody stratum of a small fragment (0.5 ha) of Semideciduous Forest, after 10 years of abandonment, in the municipality of Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil. All woody individuals (height ≥ 1 m dbh <5 cm) were sampled at 25 random plots of 5 x 5 m. We sampled 1224 individuals belonging to 40 species. There was a strong predominance (> 90%) of species of early successional stages (pioneer and early secondary). Reflecting the strong observed ecological dominance, exercised primarily by the high density of the species Dalbergia nigra and Siparuna guianensis, species diversity value (Shannon index H '= 2.38) was much lower than the values found for mature forest fragments in this region. Although a small fragment, isolated and in early stages of secondary succession, the multivariate analysis (cluster and DCA) revealed the formation of distinct floristic groups and a strong differentiation in the arrangement of the species, showing the tropical forests typical heterogeneity. Although it has a low diversity, this urban fragment has ecological and social importance to the region, that present lack of green areas to conserve the native flora.Keywords: Phytosociology; multivariate analysis; gradient analysis; ecological groups.

Download Full-text

Pouteria kossmanniae (Sapotaceae): a new species from Central Amazonia, Brazil

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.447.4.4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 447 (4) ◽

pp. 265-275

Author(s):

CAROLINE C. VASCONCELOS ◽

MARISABEL U. ADRIANZÉN ◽

JOSÉ LUÍS C. CAMARGO ◽

MÁRIO H. TERRA-ARAUJO

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Urban Forest ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Similar Species ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Terra Firme ◽

Central Amazonia ◽

Pouteria Macrophylla ◽

A New Species

Pouteria kossmanniae (Sapotaceae, Chrysophylloideae), a new species from Central Amazonia, is here described. It is known from the Manaus region, Amazonas, Brazil, and is found in non-flooded upland forests, known as terra firme. Illustrations are provided in addition to geographic distribution, with a comparison of the morphological and spectral (near-infrared) differences between P. kossmanniae and its very similar species Pouteria macrophylla, Pouteria manaosensis, and Pouteria rodriguesiana. The species is naturally common in some urban forest fragments, but since only a low number of subpopulations is known, we assign P. kossmanniae the preliminary conservation status of “Endangered”.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

Floristic Composition and Community Structure of Epiphytic Angiosperms in an Urban Forest Fragment in the Eastern Amazon

Research in Ecology ◽

10.30564/re.v3i4.3830 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Josélia Rozanny Vieira Pacheco ◽

Felipe Fajardo Villela Antolin Barberena

Keyword(s):

Community Structure ◽

Urban Forest ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Species Conservation ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Neotropical Region ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Forest Fragment ◽

Importance Value ◽

Vascular Epiphytes

Vascular epiphytes are one of the most important forest components, contributing to microclimatic maintenance. These plants find ideal conditions for development in the Amazon due to the spatial heterogeneity and high temperature and humidity typical of this biome. In recent years, the Brazilian Amazon has undergone dramatic changes in its landscape, mainly due to the increase in deforestation and fire rates. We present here the floristic composition and analyze the community structure of epiphytic angiosperms of an urban forest fragment in Eastern Amazon. A total of 71 epiphytic individuals were recorded belonging to eight species and four families. Orchidaceae was the most representative family, corroborating the pattern for surveys of epiphytic diversity in the Neotropical region. Epiphytic species were found on 24 individuals of 10 tree species. The epiphytic importance value (IVe) was low for all species, except for Aechmea tocantina and Rhipsalis baccifera. Cactaceae was the family with the highest IVe. Most epiphytes were found in the crown of trees (83.1%). The diversity index of the fragment was H’ = 1.80 and the equity index was J= 0.87, reflecting the absence of highly dominant species. Conservation of urban forest fragments is necessary for the maintenance of epiphytic flora and ecosystem services.

Download Full-text

Ground spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) associated with urban forest fragments in southern Amazon

Biota Neotropica ◽

10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2020-1062 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Genefer E. R. dos Santos ◽

Kleber Solera ◽

Cristiano A. da Costa ◽

Marinêz I. Marques ◽

Antonio D. Brescovit ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Rainy Season ◽

Urban Forest ◽

Total Sample ◽

Amazon Region ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Human Occupation ◽

Mato Grosso ◽

Spider Abundance

Abstract: Forest fragments in urban areas comprise important habitats for a wide variety of species, however, conservationist policies for their maintenance and conservation are still incipient. This study examined the richness and abundance of the ground-spider assemblage in five forest fragments, with areas ranging between 18.5 and 103.98 ha, in the urban perimeter of Sinop, northern Mato Grosso State, southern Amazon region of Brazil. Sampling was carried out using the mini-Winkler extractor and pitfall traps in the dry (July) and rainy (November) seasons of 2017. All fragments were characterized in relation to the area and the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI), to assess the effect of these variables on richness and abundance of soil spider assemblage. A total of 653 spiders were sampled, corresponding to 25 families and 52 species. Salticidae, Theridiidae, Lycosidae, Linyphiidae, Oonopidae and Symphytognathidae were the most abundant families (63.3% of the total sample). The assemblage was characterized by the dominance of hunting spiders (393 ind.; 60.2%) over web-building spiders (260 ind.; 39.8%). Greater spider abundance and richness was obtained during the rainy season (517 ind.; 79.2%; 41 spp.) as compared with the dry season (136 ind.; 20.8%; 24 spp.). Only 13 species occurred in dry and rainy season. Two species were recorded for the first time in the Amazon region, namely, Anapistula aquytabueraRheims & Brescovit, 2003 (Symphytognathidae) and Opopaea concolor (Blackwall, 1859) (Oonopidae). Species richness was not affected by IBI and area of fragment. Although the statistical model is not significant, species richness increases slightly with IBI and area of fragment. Similarly, abundance of spiders was not affected by IBI and area of fragment. Regardless of the area size, all evaluated forest fragments showed a low and regular IBI, demonstrating that these habitats have suffered with the pressures inherent from the urban perimeter, including the constant expansion of human occupation as well as misuse by the population. Nonetheless, these same fragments revealed considerable richness of species of ground spiders and can thus be categorized as important habitats for the maintenance of regional biodiversity. Therefore, action strategies must be set out to ensure their conservation.

Download Full-text

Effects of Forest Fragment Size and Successional Stage on Mixed-Species Bird Flocks in Southeastern Brazil

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/102.3.585 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 102 (3) ◽

pp. 585-594 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Marcos Maldonado-Coelho ◽

Miguel Â Marini

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Size Structure ◽

Fragment Size ◽

Southeastern Brazil ◽

Size Analysis ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Forest Fragment ◽

Mixed Species ◽

Successional Stage ◽

Mixed Species Flocks

Abstract We analyzed patterns of species richness, size, structure, and composition of mixed-species flocks in relation to forest fragment size and forest successional stage during dry and rainy seasons, at the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Three forest fragments (1.7, 50, and 200 ha) were used for fragment size analysis, and two fragments (200 and 300 ha) were used for successional stage analysis. Fragment size and season affected flock richness, size, stability, and composition. In the 1.7-ha fragment, flock species richness, size, and stability were significantly different only during the rainy season. Fragment successional stage also influenced flock richness and size, although season did not. Flock composition also had changes related to fragment successional stage. Fragment geometry seems to be an important factor influencing flock structure and composition.

Download Full-text

Reproductive biology of endemic Solanum melissarum Bohs (Solanaceae) and updating of its current geographic distribution as the basis for its conservation in the Brazilian Cerrado

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/1519-6984.01516 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 77 (4) ◽

pp. 809-819 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

C. P. Coelho ◽

D. C. Gomes ◽

F. A. G. Guilherme ◽

L. F. Souza

Keyword(s):

Breeding System ◽

Urban Forest ◽

Floral Morphology ◽

Distribution Data ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Forest Fragment ◽

Pollination Mechanism ◽

Euglossa Cordata ◽

Hand Pollination ◽

Poricidal Anthers

Abstract The genus Solanum (family Solanaceae) includes more than 1400 species and has buzz-pollinated flowers with poricidal anthers. The present study aimed to describe the distribution, breeding system and pollination mechanism of Solanum melissarum, a species endemic to Brazil. The study of breeding system was conducted in an urban forest fragment in Jataí, GO. Distribution data were gathered from floristic surveys and digital plant databases. The floral morphology and the pollination mechanism were studied on through field observations and preserved flowers. The breeding system was determined through hand pollination treatments. The species has a distribution only in the Brazilian Atlantic forest coastal, and this study provides the first records of S. melissarum for the state of Goiás. The pendulous flowers have poricidal anthers close to the stigma, with membranous thecae joined by a connective bearing osmophores that attract males of Euglossa cordata bees. As they collect fragrances, the bees press the thecae and pollen is released through a bellows mechanism. Based on the hand-pollination treatments, this species is self-incompatible. Isolated forest fragments may not include enough pollinators to ensure the pollination of plants with specialized systems. However, they are essential for the conservation of species with interesting phytogeographic patterns, such as the vicariance observed in S. melissarum, and for the conservation of regional diversity.

Download Full-text

Decline in Aboveground Biomass Due to Fragmentation in Subtropical Forests of China

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12050617 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 617

Author(s):

Chunyu Shen ◽

Nannan Shi ◽

Shenglei Fu ◽

Wanhui Ye ◽

Lei Ma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Forest Fragmentation ◽

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Average Diameter ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Biomass Storage ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Fragmented Forests ◽

Species Richness And Abundance

Fragmentation has long been considered the primary cause for ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss worldwide. Forest fragmentation affects ecosystem functioning and biodiversity in multiple ways. Here, we ask how forest fragmentation influences aboveground biomass storage (AGB) in sub-tropical forests in China. We established 207 20 m × 20 m plots within 69 forest fragments of varying size. Forest fragmentation process simulation was carried out via repeated quadrat sampling using different sized quadrats in two non-fragmented stands. AGB was estimated and compared across forest fragments and quadrats with different sizes within two non-fragmented stands. Our results indicate that AGB is significantly lower in forest fragments than in quadrats within two non-fragmented forests. In addition, species richness and abundance were lower in fragmented stands, respectively. In fragmented forests, the average diameter at breast height (DBH) increased with decreasing patch size, while declined for non-fragmented plots. Species richness, abundance, and mean DBH have strongly positive effects on AGB. This was the case both in forest fragments and quadrats within two non-fragmented forests. Forest fragmentation leads to lower richness, lower abundance, and higher mean DBH in forest fragments than in the two non-fragmented forests. Our results suggest that forest fragmentation increases edge habitats, which drastically decreases forests aboveground biomass storage. These results show that land degradation not only reduces the area of forests, but also reduces the aboveground biomass carbon density of forests.

Download Full-text