scholarly journals Landscape effects on the occurrence of ichthyofauna in first-order streams of southeastern Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Santos Tibúrcio ◽  
Carolina da Silva Carvalho ◽  
Fabio Cop Ferreira ◽  
Roberto Goitein ◽  
Milton Cezar Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Functional Groups ◽  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Temperature Conductivity ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
First Order

Abstract Objective In this study we aimed to understand how extrinsic environmental factors measured in the watercourses and the surrounding landscape influence the ichthyofauna of first-order streams. Methods Data were collected within the Corumbataí River Basin, São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, during the dry season of 2012. We sampled the ichthyofauna in 13 stretches of streams distributed across four river sub-basins. The stretches differed in relation to the presence/absence of riparian forest, the predominant type of matrix and the percentage of forest. Response variables were species richness and the occurrence of functional groups and explanatory variables include both local and landscape structures from the surrounding environment. Local variables comprised the following water quality and structural attributes: pH, temperature, conductivity, turbidity, flow rate, depth, width, type of substrate. Landscape variables included presence/absence of riparian vegetation, type of vegetation, type of matrix, percentage of forest and canopy cover. Results A total of 268 individuals were recorded, which were distributed among 12 species. The landscape structure influenced the occurrence of functional groups in first-order streams, especially allochthonous-feeders, nektonic and hypoxia-intolerant species. The presence of riparian forest was the most important predictor. Species richness was negatively related to the presence of riparian vegetation, supporting the hypothesis that degraded landscapes lead to a reduction in diversity. Conclusion The protection of riparian vegetation is critical to the maintenance of ichthyofauna diversity in first-order streams. The presence or absence of riparian vegetation differently affected the occurrence of species depending on their functional characteristics, particularly those related to the tolerance to hypoxia, source of alimentary items and the position in the water column.

scholarly journals The vascular flora of Porto Ferreira State Park: an ecotonal area in São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Pavan Sabino ◽  
Vitor de Andrade Kamimura ◽  
Renan Borgiani ◽  
Rafael Konopczyk ◽  
Ernesto Pedro Dickfeldt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Conservation Units ◽  
Semideciduous Forest ◽  
Floristic Similarity ◽  
Vascular Flora

Abstract: The Porto Ferreira State Park (PFSP) is located in the State of São Paulo southeastern Brazil, in an intriguing transitional area between the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado - both hotspots of biodiversity - represented mainly by the cerradão (CER), and the seasonal semideciduous forest (SSF), with its alluvial variation vegetation type (riparian forest - RP). Ecotonal areas play an important role in providing ecological and phytogeographic knowledge regarding the flora and vegetation of this region. Despite various studies on the PFSP, knowledge of this region remains fragmented. In this study, we aim to conduct an updated checklist of the PFSP vascular flora, including a compilation of all the studies conducted in this protected area, plus field work carried out by the authors from 2014 to 2017. In addition, given its ecotonal characteristics, we completed a floristic similarity analysis between the PFSP and other floristic surveys that examined the same vegetation types present in this study, to gain a better understanding of their phytogeographic relationships. Overall, 684 species, belonging to 387 genera and 107 families, were recorded. The SSF presented the richest vegetation type (478 species), followed by the CER (418) and the RP (231). The most diverse families were Fabaceae (64 species), Myrtaceae (41), Orchidaceae (39), Rubiaceae (37), Asteraceae (35), Bignoniaceae (26) and Malvaceae (20). Moreover, eight threatened species, at regional and national levels, were found. To date, 412 species have been added to the floristic list produced for the PFSP. The life forms with the highest number of species were trees (286 species), herbs (176) plus shrubs and subshrubs (123). Our research findings indicate floristic patterns with higher levels of similarity among species in geographical proximity, including those in ecotonal areas encompassing different vegetation types. These results rank the PFSP among some of the most species-rich conservation units with seasonal climates, and therefore is of great importance for plant conservation in the southeast of Brazil.

scholarly journals Associations between fish assemblage and riparian vegetation in the Corumbataí River Basin (SP)

2007 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Cetra ◽  
M. Petrere JR.
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Sugar Cane ◽  
Fish Assemblage ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
The State ◽  
Multivariate Techniques

This work intends to examine if there are associations between fish species and the state of conservation of the riparian forest in the Corumbataí River Basin. Four main rivers were chosen for this study with three sites on each. Collections were carried out from March to June and from September to December 2001. Multivariate techniques were applied to determine the correlation between species richness and the order of the rivers, preservation level of the riparian forest, shade level, presence or absence of Eucalyptus, sugar cane and pastures, and surrounding declivity stability of the sites. Species richness was highest at locations with greater vegetation cover and preserved riparian forest.

Species composition and abundance of ants and other invertebrates in stands of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) and native grasslands in the northern Great Plains

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.M. Radtke ◽  
J.R.N. Glasier ◽  
S.D. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Functional Groups ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Agropyron Cristatum ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Native Grasslands

Habitat alteration by exotic plant species can have profound effects on vertebrates, but its effects on invertebrates are less well-known. Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.) is a perennial grass that has been planted on >106ha of the Great Plains. We tested the hypothesis that invertebrate communities (especially ants) differed between native grasslands and A. cristatum stands, using pitfall traps in Saskatchewan and Montana. Ant species composition differed significantly between native grasslands and A. cristatum stands, but there were no differences in total ant abundance, the abundance of functional groups, or species richness. Ant species richness was significantly greater in Montana than Saskatchewan. In Saskatchewan, bare ground was positively related to total ant abundance and the abundance of “cold-climate specialist” and “opportunist” functional groups of ants. In Montana, the cover of forbs was positively related to total ant abundance. The abundances of individual ant species were not predicted by any vegetation characteristics, except for Formica obscuripes Forel, 1886, which increased significantly with litter. The total abundance of other invertebrates was greater in native grasslands than in A. cristatum stands, although not significantly so. Within each vegetation type, variation in ant communities may depend either directly on the effects of vegetation species composition, or indirectly via the effect of vegetation on other factors such as temperature. The results suggest that ant community composition was influenced more by variation within grasslands and between locations than by differences between native and exotic grasslands.

Effects of biomass extraction on vegetation structure, diversity and composition of forests in Sariska Tiger Reserve, India

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
RAMAN KUMAR ◽  
GHAZALA SHAHABUDDIN
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Tiger Reserve ◽  
Scrub Forest ◽  
Structure Diversity

Despite the fact that tropical dry forests are being exploited on a large scale for various forest products, there has been limited evaluation of the accompanying ecological impacts. In particular, there is no information on the effects of widespread biomass extraction such as grazing and firewood collection. A study was carried out in Sariska Tiger Reserve in northern India, to investigate the effects of biomass extraction on forest vegetation composition, diversity and structure. Biomass extraction caused significant changes in forest vegetation structure and species composition in the tree layer but the extent of these changes varied across the three major vegetation types found in the Reserve. Anogeissus-dominated slope forest showed significantly lower mean canopy cover, tree density, tree basal area and height of trees in disturbed sites in comparison to undisturbed sites. Riparian forest showed lower mean canopy cover, tree basal areas and number of recorded tree species in disturbed sites. Scrub forest had lower mean canopy cover, tree basal area and tree height. There were fewer tall trees but greater number of short trees in disturbed sites of all three vegetation types. Girths of trees similarly shifted towards lower values in riparian and scrub forest. In Anogeissus-dominated forest, disturbed and undisturbed sites did not differ in proportions of trees in various girth-classes. Tree species richness was substantially lower in disturbed sites of Anogeissus-dominated and riparian forest in comparison to undisturbed sites, but was not affected by disturbance in scrub forest. Understorey species richness was higher in disturbed sites of all three vegetation types but understorey changed structurally only in Anogeissus-dominated forest. Overall tree and understorey species composition was significantly different between disturbed and undisturbed sites of Anogeissus-dominated forest, but was unchanged in scrub and riparian forest. Observed changes in vegetation structure, diversity and composition of the different vegetation types due to biomass extraction have implications for biodiversity conservation in tropical dry forest ecosystems, and need to be addressed in future forest management planning.

scholarly journals Effects of Forest Regeneration on Crickets: Evaluating Environmental Drivers in a 300-Year Chronosequence

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neucir Szinwelski ◽  
Cassiano S. Rosa ◽  
José H. Schoereder ◽  
Carina M. Mews ◽  
Carlos F. Sperber
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Forest Regeneration ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Patch Area ◽  
Forest Patch ◽  
Regeneration Time ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Litter Depth

We evaluated the relation of cricket species richness and composition with forest regeneration time, evaluating canopy and litter depth as environmental drivers. Effects of forest patch area, nearest distance to the 300-year patch, cricket abundance, sampling sufficiency, and nestedness were also evaluated. We collected 1174 individuals (five families, 19 species). Species richness increased asymptotically with regeneration time and linearly with canopy cover and litter depth. Canopy cover increased linearly, while litter depth increased asymptotically. Richness was not affected by patch area and nearest distance to the 300-year patch. Richness increased with cricket abundance, and this explanation could not be distinguished from regeneration time, evidencing collinearity of these two explanatory variables. Rarefaction curve slopes increased with regeneration time. Species composition differed among patches, with no nested pattern. We suggest that regeneration and consequent increases in canopy and litter promote recovery of cricket biodiversity, abundance, and changes in species composition. We conclude that the recovery of cricket diversity involves an increase along the spatial scale of complementarity, together with a change in species composition.

scholarly journals Structure of Riparian Vegetation and Its Implications for The Habitat Conditions of Arfak Rainbowfish, Melanotaenia Arfakensis at The Nimbai Stream, Manokwari, West Papua

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-56
Author(s):  
Paskalina Th. Lefaan ◽  
Hans Fence Zakeus Peday ◽  
Simon Petrus Oktovianus Leatemia ◽  
Luky Sembel ◽  
Emmanuel Manangkalangi
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
Fish Larvae ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Level Density ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Tree Level ◽  
Habitat Conditions ◽  
Sample Collection

Riparian vegetation has an important role in maintaining water stability, one of which is the river. This study aims to describe the structure of riparian vegetation so that its implications can be seen for the conditions of rainbow arfak habitat on the Nimbai River. The study was conducted in three forest types, namely primary riparia forest, secondary riparia forest and open riparia forest. Sample collection of riparian vegetation was carried out by purposive sampling using sample plots. Plots measuring 2 m x 2 m are used to sample seedling and understorey growth, plots measuring 5 m x 5 m for growth at the stake level, while plots measuring 10 m x 10 m and 20 m x 20 m, for growth of pole and tree levels respectively. The identification results obtained a total of 35 species of understorey and 51 tree-level plants in all three types of riparian forests. Based on the analysis of vegetation structure, it is known that the condition of primary riparia forest and secondary riparian forest still relatively supports the life of arfak rainbow fish compared to open riparian forest. Higher tree level density associated with canopy cover which has implications for the temperature of the water to be colder and less fluctuating, input larger litter into the food chain in the river, and hold suspended particles into the river. Also, the function of riparian vegetation in spawning activities, substrate attaching eggs and nursery habitat for arfak rainbow fish larvae. The results of this study indicate the importance of riparian vegetation structure on the condition of rainbow arfak fish habitat. An understanding of the structure of vegetation is also a basic information for efforts to rehabilitate this endemic fish habitat to maintain the existence of a natural population.

scholarly journals Species composition and frequency of habitat use by medium and large-sized mammals in the Brazilian Cerrado Biome, State of Tocantins

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. e45684
Author(s):  
Wagner Tadeu Vieira Santiago ◽  
Carlos Fonseca ◽  
Antonio Carlos da Silva Zanzini ◽  
Felipe Santana Machado ◽  
Aloysio Souza de Moura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
The State ◽  
Natural Vegetation ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Cerrado Biome

The Cerrado biome is the second largest natural vegetation type existing in Brazil after the Amazon, covering 91% of the State of Tocantins, with 30% of the territory changed as a result of the expansion of economic development areas. The substitution of natural vegetation means habitat loss on species, and may put the survival of medium and large-sized mammal species under extinction risk. These species represent significant energy demands and high requirements of area within the habitat. This study aims to assess the species composition and the frequency of use of physiognomic types of vegetation by medium and large-sized mammals. The study was conducted from 2001 to 2011 using a set of complementary and alternative techniques in fragments of seven different physiognomic types of vegetation. Fourth-seven medium and large-sized mammals were registered. This record corresponds to 92% of species already described within the biome, and five additional species to those registered in the data base of the State of Tocantins. Fourteen of these species are at certain degree of threat of extinction. The most used physiognomic types of vegetation in terms of canopy cover were Cerradao, Typical Cerrado, Riparian Forest and Dense Cerrado, and the less used were Gallery Forest, Campo Sujo and Vereda.

scholarly journals Drivers of bird diversity in an understudied African centre of endemism: The Angolan Central Escarpment Forest

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 256-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
AIMY CÁCERES ◽  
MARTIM MELO ◽  
JOS BARLOW ◽  
RICARDO FAUSTINO DE LIMA ◽  
MICHAEL S. L. MILLS
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Model Averaging ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Bird Diversity ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Landsat Images ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Point Counts

SummaryNatural habitats are being rapidly lost due to human activities. It is therefore vital to understand how these activities influence biodiversity so that suitable guidelines can be established for conservation. This is particularly important in understudied, high biodiversity, areas such as the Angolan Escarpment. Here we examine which habitat characteristics drive bird diversity and endemic species presence at Kumbira Forest, a key site in the Central Escarpment Forest. Bird diversity was sampled by 10 min bird point counts, whereas habitat characteristics were measured by a combination of ground-based vegetation surveys and remotely sensed data modelling of Landsat images. GLM, multi-model inference and model averaging were used to determine the most important variables driving species richness and the presence of endemics. The remote sensing variables performed poorly in predicting presence of Red-crested Turaco Tauraco erythrolophus and Gabela Bushshrike Laniarius amboimensis but they contributed significantly to explain species richness and Gabela Akalat Sheppardia gabela presence, both of which were associated with greater canopy cover. Liana density and elevation were also important explanatory variables in certain cases. Conservation actions at Kumbira should focus on increasing canopy cover and maintaining forest integrity (as measured by liana density), as these actions are likely to have the most positive outcomes for the avifauna.

scholarly journals Ant Occupation of Twigs in the Leaf Litter of the Atlantic Forest: Influence of the Environment and External Twig Structure

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 194008291985294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae Tanaami Fernandes ◽  
Wesley Dáttilo ◽  
Rogério R. Silva ◽  
Pedro Luna ◽  
Carla M. Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Relative Number ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Environmental Filters ◽  
Ant Colonies ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Ant Diversity

Twig cavities are microhabitats that may be used by different ant species for nesting and colony expansion. However, ants do not colonize all twigs available in the leaf litter, pointing to the existence of environmental or twig-related filters. In this study, we analyzed which environmental and twig attributes affected twig occupation by ants. We surveyed seven plots in six Atlantic forest sites in southeastern Brazil. To characterize the environmental filters, we quantified canopy cover and leaf litter moisture and depth. At the twig level, we measured twig length and diameter and the area and circumference of all holes in each twig. Ant colonies occupied 13.42% of the 4,805 twigs surveyed, and we recorded a total of 52 twig-nesting ant species. Brachymyrmex admotus was the most frequent species. Ant species richness increased with canopy cover and leaf litter moisture and with the relative number of occupied twigs. In addition, we found that ant species richness increased with length and diameter of the twigs, and that twigs with smaller holes were more frequently occupied by ants, regardless of the availability of larger diameter holes. Our work demonstrates that both environmental characteristics and twig morphology can structure occupation of twigs by ants. In addition, we demonstrated that certain species show a preference for certain twig types. We highlight the importance of twigs for maintaining ant diversity and for colony expansion of arboreal species and species inhabiting the leaf litter.

scholarly journals Stream fish, water and habitat quality in a pasture dominated basin, southeastern Brazil

2006 ◽  
Vol 66 (2b) ◽  
pp. 681-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Casatti ◽  
F. Langeani ◽  
A. M. Silva ◽  
R. M. C. Castro
Keyword(s):  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
Organic Pollution ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Habitat Conservation ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Physical Habitat ◽  
Optimal Distribution ◽  
Habitat Assessment ◽  
Habitat Condition ◽  
First Order

A fish survey in 35 stream reaches (from 1st to 3rd order) with physicochemical and habitat assessment in the São José dos Dourados system, southeastern Brazil, was conducted. Most of the basin land cover (77.4%) is used for pasture. From the sampled stream reaches, 24 were of good physicochemical quality, 10 of fair quality, and only one of poor quality. A habitat assessment showed that 10 stream reaches were considered fair, 22 were poor, and 3 were very poor. Fifty species were collected and their abundances showed strong correlation with habitat descriptors. In addition to the correlation between fish abundance and habitat, some species also showed optimal distribution related to the degree of physical habitat conservation. Streams located in this region experience organic pollution, but the most important aspect is the decline of the instream physical habitat condition, especially in first order streams, which negatively affects coarse substrates and water column dependent fish species. Effluent control, riparian vegetation restoration programs, siltation control and adequate sustainable soil use are practices which could mitigate such impacts.

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