Edge Effects on Successional Dynamics of Forest Fragments in the Brazilian Cerrado

Firmino Cardoso Pereira,Beatriz Schwantes Marimon,Frederico Augusto Guimarães Guilherme

doi:10.1590/2179-8087-floram-2020-0063

Firmino Cardoso Pereira, Beatriz Schwantes Marimon + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087-floram-2020-0063

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Abstract

Abstract Comparative studies of tree dynamics can be useful for the conservation of forest fragments in the Cerrado. We tested if the successional dynamics in fragments of semideciduous forest (SF) and cerradao (CE) are influenced by edge effects (EE). Two surveys were carried out with plots allocation in both physiognomies, from the edge towards the interior of the fragments. All trees with diameter at breast height ≥ 5cm were measured, identified and classified (ecological groups). Both physiognomies showed high recruitment and mortality rates when compared with other forests in Cerrado. We found an EE on tree density (SF), and on mortality, total basal area and basal area of dead (CE), although do not so notorious on a short-term scale. Probably because EE did not influence the ecological groups and canopy cover. Our results suggest that the forest fragmentation can act as a disturbance agent, causing changes in the tree dynamics of the Cerrado forests.

Highlights

AND OBJECTIVESDeforestation in continuous natural ecosystems results in fragmentation and consequent edge zones, which afford the so-called edge effects (Murcia, 1995)
Our results suggest that the forest fragmentation can act as a disturbance agent, causing changes in the tree dynamics of the Cerrado forests
semideciduous forest (SF) showed a small change (+0.7%) in density between 2011 and 2014, recruitment rate was higher than mortality rate, while net change of the individuals increased slightly (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

AND OBJECTIVESDeforestation in continuous natural ecosystems results in fragmentation and consequent edge zones, which afford the so-called edge effects (Murcia, 1995). Other studies have observed the edge effects in plant litter (Dodonov et al, 2016), on native vegetation phenology (Ishino et al, 2012; Vogado et al, 2016), composition and structure (Lima-Ribeiro, 2008), plants with different dispersal mechanisms (Jardim & Batalha 2009), and interactions between animal-plants (Christianini & Oliveira, 2013). Most of these studies were carried out on typically savanna physiognomies

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