Effects of domestic wood collection on tree community structure in a human-dominated seasonally dry tropical forest

Abstract

Domestic wood collection affects plant communities through constant biomass removal. We assessed the effects of wood collection for firewood and fence construction on tree community structure in a seasonally dry tropical forest in Brazil. We described the harvest patterns of wood products. Further, we evaluated the effects of rainfall levels and wood collection on tree community structure. Most wood collection for firewood was concentrated within a small subset of dominant species. Wood collection for building fences was less influenced by species abundance. Species richness was positively associated with rainfall. Wood collection increased community evenness and negatively affected total density. The dominant species were not affected by wood collection. Domestic use of wood has a low impact on tree diversity in human-dominated dry forests. Nevertheless, some of the most used species for building fences are potentially threatened. The effects of firewood collection can be mitigated through (1) offering subsidies aimed at fuel transition to liquefied petroleum gas or (2) developing and distributing more efficient cookstoves. The effects of wood collection for building fences can be mitigated through promoting the use of (1) living fences or (2) fewer stakes. In addition, the populations of the most commonly used species should be recovered.