scholarly journals Composition and Diversity of Areas Under Restoration Process From the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 154
Author(s):  
Marília Isabelle Oliveira da Silva ◽  
Luiz Carlos Marangon ◽  
Ana Lícia Patriota Feliciano ◽  
Marilia Alves Grugiki

The evaluation of the forest restoration scenario is of great importance, with floristic composition and diversity being among the most used ecological variables as indicators. This research aimed to identify the current situation, in terms of species composition and diversity, of two riparian forests under restoration based on a reference ecosystem, the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Twenty permanent plots (250 m²) were located in areas under restoration process (AR1 and AR2) and in a forest fragment of the region which served as a reference ecosystem (ER). We sampled, identified and classified all tree individuals with CBH ≥ 15.0 cm in each plot. Aiming to understand species richness and diversity, besides the traditional indexes (Shannon and Simpson), we also estimated the effective numbers of Hill’s diversity (qD = 0, 1 and 2) considering rarefaction (P ≤ 0.05); and to detect floristic similarities among the study areas we performed a Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA). We found dissimilarity among ARs and ER, and the presence of exotic species, indicating that, as recommended, such reference should have been taken into account during the planning of the restoration action. Considering the effective numbers of species (qD) we found differences between the areas, species richness and diversity was higher in ER > AR2 > AR1. We also show that among the restoration areas, with the same age and submitted to the same conditions, AR2 has features that allow us to conclude that this area has a bigger chance of success in the restoration process. However, aiming environmental sustainability, we suggest that some corrective actions should be taken in order to favour the reestablishment of ecological processes in these areas.

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Libia Mayerly Cifuentes-Garcia ◽  
Pedro Manuel Villa ◽  
Denilson Fernandes Peralta ◽  
Pedro Bond Schwartsburd

Introduction: Local environmental filters have shown the influence on the bryophyte diversity and structure communities, but there are limited studies that analyze how biotic relationships filters influence these communities. Objective: To evaluate whether the influence of fern Asplenium auritum cover determine changes in species richness and composition of bryophyte communities, in a semideciduous remnant forest, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: We selected one transect of 300 m in each of six areas where Asplenium auritum was present. In all transect we estimated plant cover in 39 10 × 10 cm plots randomly distributed. We compare the estimated species richness and composition of bryophyte between fern coverage levels. Results: We found 60 species in 35 genera and 23 families. Weft and mat were the most represented life-forms. Fern cover had no significant effect on bryophyte species richness and composition. Conclusions: Bryophyte cover appears to improve fern development and promote the coexistence of several bryophyte species. Bryophyte cover probably predicts variations in species richness and drives the species assemblage in this community.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 340-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poliana Gabriella Araújo Mendes ◽  
Maria Amanda Menezes Silva ◽  
Tassiane Novacosque Feitosa Guerra ◽  
Ana Carolina Borges Lins-e-Silva ◽  
Airton de Deus Cysneiros Cavalcanti ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The woody plants in an edge area formed approximately 35 years ago in an Atlantic Forest fragment in northeastern Brazil were examined, and three environments defined: edge, intermediate, and interior. Canopy tree densities and basal areas were found to be similar in all three environments, and also similar to previous published studies in the same region; species richness was greatest at the forest edge. The understory showed greater species richness in the forest interior, but greater diversity and equitability in the intermediate environment. Understory environments close to the forest edge demonstrated larger stem diameters than in the forest interior, although at lesser densities and with smaller total basal areas. Our results indicated the existence of distinct patterns in canopy and understory that most likely reflect differences in the response times of these two vegetation layers, with the understory being more sensitive to alterations in environmental structure.


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 5521-5537 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Magnússon ◽  
S. H. Magnússon ◽  
E. Ólafsson ◽  
B. D. Sigurdsson

Abstract. Plant colonization and succession on the volcanic island of Surtsey, formed in 1963, have been closely followed. In 2013, a total of 69 vascular plant species had been discovered on the island; of these, 59 were present and 39 had established viable populations. Surtsey had more than twice the species of any of the comparable neighbouring islands, and all of their common species had established on Surtsey. The first colonizers were dispersed by sea, but, after 1985, bird dispersal became the principal pathway with the formation of a seagull colony on the island and consequent site amelioration. This allowed wind-dispersed species to establish after 1990. Since 2007, there has been a net loss of species on the island. A study of plant succession, soil formation and invertebrate communities in permanent plots on Surtsey and on two older neighbouring islands (plants and soil) has revealed that seabirds, through their transfer of nutrients from sea to land, are major drivers of development of these ecosystems. In the area impacted by seagulls, dense grassland swards have developed and plant cover, species richness, diversity, plant biomass and soil carbon become significantly higher than in low-impact areas, which remained relatively barren. A similar difference was found for the invertebrate fauna. After 2000, the vegetation of the oldest part of the seagull colony became increasingly dominated by long-lived, rhizomatous grasses (Festuca, Poa, Leymus) with a decline in species richness and diversity. Old grasslands of the neighbouring islands Elliđaey (puffin colony, high nutrient input) and Heimaey (no seabirds, low nutrient input) contrasted sharply. The puffin grassland of Elliđaey was very dense and species-poor. It was dominated by Festuca and Poa, and very similar to the seagull grassland developing on Surtsey. The Heimaey grassland was significantly higher in species richness and diversity, and had a more even cover of dominants (Festuca/Agrostis/Ranunculus). We forecast that, with continued erosion of Surtsey, loss of habitats and increasing impact from seabirds a lush, species-poor grassland will develop and persist, as on the old neighbouring islands.


Revista CERES ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 571-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelen Coelho Cruz ◽  
Sileimar Maria Lelis ◽  
Mariana Aparecida Silva Godinho ◽  
Rúbia Santos Fonseca ◽  
Paulo Sérgio Fiúza Ferreira ◽  
...  

The objectives of this study were to identify anthophilous butterflies on psychophilous flowers of four Asteraceae species in an Atlantic Forest fragment in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Southeastern Brazil, and to determine whether there are species in common with other lepidopteran inventories of the Southeastern and Midwestern regions of Brazil. It is the first inventory of anthophilous butterflies of a semideciduous forest fragment in Zona da Mata, State of Minas Gerais. A total of 108 species were recorded, representing the fourth largest lepidopteran survey in this State. The results demonstrated that Asteraceae species may be important tools for monitoring anthophilous butterflies. The similarity with other inventories ranged from 1 to 92.55%. Fifteen species were reported for the first time in the State of Minas Gerais, and among them, Melanis alena and Thisbe irenea were observed in this study only.


Oryx ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcondes A. Oliveira ◽  
Alexandre S. Grillo ◽  
Marcelo Tabarelli

In this study we surveyed all trees ≥10 cm diameter at breast height within 20 0.1 ha plots in a 3,500 ha forest fragment, surrounded by sugar cane fields, of the Brazilian Atlantic forest to compare tree species assemblages at the forest edge (0–100 m into forest) vs forest interior (>200 m). Plots were perpendicular to the margin. The mean number of tree species was significantly higher in the forest interior (35.4 ± SD 7.1 vs 18.4 ± SD 4.4). In addition, forest edge differed from interior in the proportion of shade-tolerant, emergent, large/very large-fruited species, and large-seeded tree species. Among the 134 tree species recorded, 24% were exclusive to the forest edge and 57% to the forest interior. Our results suggest that both the current system of protected areas and archipelagos of small fragments (1) tend to retain only a subset of the original flora, (2) will converge in terms of floristic and ecological composition (biotic simplification and homogenization), and (3) will lose rare and threatened tree species.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 2571-2585
Author(s):  
Renata Picolo Scervino ◽  
Lya Carolina da Silva Mariano Pereira

The litter horizon on forests ecosystems acts on the nutrient cycling and on the soil’s microclimate conditions. However,  to reforestation ecosystems the litter attributes can conduct to alterations that can diminish the seedling establishment, as well can act on the herbivory rates. In this context, this study aimed to verify the differences and relationships between woody species diversity, the herbivory index, the litter attributes, and the canopy openness among a fragment of Atlantic Forest on secondary succession and commercial plantation of Eucalyptus saligna Smith abandoned to regeneration. This study was conducted at the Klabin’s Company “Ecological Reserve”, at Telêmaco Borba – PR, Brazil. There weren’t observed differences on the species richness and abundance among the studied sites. Litter mass and thickness were higher in E. saligna environment. However, the litter attributes only presented relationship with the woody vegetation at the Atlantic Forest site, such as abundance and species richness with litter mass (r2=0.53 and r2=0.40, respectively) and abundance with litter thickness (r2=0.63). The herbivory index was greater on the forest patch. The canopy openness was superior in the E. saligna site. At this site, the herbivory index presented a positive relation with the canopy openness (r2=0.48) and a negative with abundance (r2=0.48). Abundance also presented a negative relation with the canopy openness (r2=0.58) in the E. saligna environment. The litter horizon on the E. saligna plantation doesn’t seem to offer restrictions to regeneration of the woody vegetation. However, at this site, the higher canopy openness and the herbivory pressure over the woody vegetation may lead to a lower rate of secondary succession compared to the Atlantic Forest fragment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie P. Santos ◽  
Thadeu Sobral‐Souza ◽  
Keith S. Brown ◽  
Maurício Humberto Vancine ◽  
Milton C. Ribeiro ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 563-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriano Chiarello ◽  
Ana Srbek-Araujo ◽  
Hermano Del-Duque Jr. ◽  
Eduardo de Coelho ◽  
Carlos Rocha

AbstractWe investigated the abundance of the tegu lizard (Tupinambis merianae) in a 21 787 ha Brazilian Atlantic forest fragment (Reserva Natural Vale, RNV). This remnant has a highly irregular perimeter and an extensive network (126 km) of internal unpaved roads. We hypothesized that the high proportion of these edge habitats might benefit active heliothermic lizards like tegus due to greater incidence of sunlight. We estimated population density using the program DISTANCE, and compared sighting frequency of tegus along twelve 500 m long transects located at three distances (25, 200 and 400 m) from the nearest unpaved road or fragment edge. We found no significant differences in sighting frequency among the three distances (Chi-square; χ2 = 4.308; P = 0.116) and no significant association between edge distance and edge type (internal, external) (G test adjusted; G2 = 0.617; P = 0.734). However, as the test comparing distances had relatively low power we assumed that the experimental evidence was not strong enough to prove lack of an edge effect. The estimated density (0.63±0.13 lizard/ha) is within the range of densities found on Brazilian islands where tegus have proliferated to the point of becoming a threat to ground nesting birds and turtles. We caution, however, that the absence of published data on other non-island sites prevents us from concluding that the species has an abnormally high density in RNV.


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