Abstract
The increase in Equus africanus asinus Linnaeus population in semiarid areas of Northeast Brazil had significant impacts on wild and rural areas. The objective of this work was to analyze the herbivory of E. africanus asinus on Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul). L.P. Queiroz and determine the dendrophysiological strategies P. pyramidalis used during and after damage caused by E. africanus asinus . The selected areas have significant populations of P. pyramidalis with amplified importance value higher than 50%. Two areas were established: one control and another experimental, with presence of E. africanus asinus . The study was carried out from 2001 to 2015. The evaluated variables of P. pyramidalis were: sap flow, basic density, diameter, volume, biomass and leaf area index. The increase of abandoned E. africanus asinus in semiarid areas resulted in impact and responses from P. pyramidalis . This plant species compensates for biomass losses and physiological activities reduction with two strategies: i) increase in the belowground biomass stock, and ii) increase in sap flow in undisturbed branches.
Highlights
Changes in consumption behavior modified the rural life with some negative results to nature in emergent countries: deforestation and fragmentation of wildlife, excessive extraction of natural resources, and proliferation of exotic species (Biswas & Roy, 2015)
This has led to increased number of abandoned individuals, which, in turn, increased significantly their populations (e.g. Equus sp.) (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística [IBGE], 2015)
In E. africanus asinus presence, values of the dendrophysiological variables reduced in nonprotected branch and increased in protected branch in the same tree individual, differently from branch in the control area (Figure 1)
Summary
Changes in consumption behavior modified the rural life with some negative results to nature in emergent countries: deforestation and fragmentation of wildlife, excessive extraction of natural resources, and proliferation of exotic species (Biswas & Roy, 2015). In Brazilian Northeastern, for example, the mode of transport and workforce were substituted from animal to motorcycle in small farm areas. This has led to increased number of abandoned individuals, which, in turn, increased significantly their populations (e.g. Equus sp.) (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística [IBGE], 2015). 96% are Equus africanus asinus Linnaeus (Equidae) (Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO], 2015). This species is used as transportation and workforce because of its resistance and adaptation to climate of the Semiarid: hot and dry areas (> 25°C annual mean and < 800 mm annual total). Abandoned individuals of E. africanus asinus refuges in wild areas
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