Edaphic Drivers of Community Structure and Composition in a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest

Juliano Cordeiro,Gustavo Ribas Curcio,Carlos Vellozo Roderjan,Victor Pereira Zwiener

doi:10.1590/2179-8087.113217

Juliano Cordeiro, Gustavo Ribas Curcio + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087.113217

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Abstract

Abstract This study sought to assess the variation in species composition and community structure considering soil characteristics. Based on physical and chemical analyses of soil, we selected four sites for vegetation sampling: Haplic Cambisol (P1), Regolithic Neosol (P2), Latosol Bruno (P3) and Humic Cambisol (P4). In each site, we sampled all arboreal individuals with DBH ≥ 4.8 cm. Sites were distinguished by species with different values of importance and indicator index (indVal). Sites were clearly separated in biplots generated by canonical ordination (RDA), which indicated that the distribution of species correlates with acidity, Al+, C and P concentrations, CEC, pH, base saturation, drainage, and pedological unit. Our results show that local scale variation in soil attributes influences tree species composition and community structure, and, thus, should be considered for understanding the distribution, occupation, and response of tree species in remnants of Mixed Ombrophilous Forest.

Highlights

AND OBJECTIVESIdentifying environmental drivers that regulate the coexistence of species and their respective abundances is an important step towards the understanding of how plant communities are organized and assembled (Reinhart, 2012)
Our results show that local scale variation in soil attributes influences tree species composition and community structure, and, should be considered for understanding the distribution, occupation, and response of tree species in remnants of Mixed Ombrophilous Forest
Despite the wide range of environmental conditions in the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (MOF), little is known about factors that determine plant community structure and floristic variation at local scales in this phytogeographical region

Summary

Introduction

Identifying environmental drivers that regulate the coexistence of species and their respective abundances is an important step towards the understanding of how plant communities are organized and assembled (Reinhart, 2012). Environmental feedbacks act at different spatial scales and can limit or enhance the dominance of plant species (Lortie et al, 2004). Environmental conditions affect competitive outcomes and the extension of community structure (Lortie et al, 2004; Reinhart, 2012). Despite the wide range of environmental conditions in the MOF, little is known about factors that determine plant community structure and floristic variation at local scales in this phytogeographical region.

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