Moving from forest vs. grassland perspectives to an integrated view towards the conservation of forest–grassland mosaics

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss some key aspects for the maintenance of biological diversity in grassland–forest mosaics in southern Brazil (Campos Sulinos) not explored yet. Campos Sulinos are grasslands distributed throughout the Pampa and the Atlantic Forest biomes. Since these grasslands remain from past dryer and colder climatic conditions, they are acknowledged as native rather than anthropogenic ecosystems (Pillar and Velez, 2010). The grasslands form mosaics with shrubby and forest physiognomies belonging to Araucaria and seasonal forests in southern Brazil, owing to climatic conditions suitable for forest expansion (Oliveira and Pillar, 2004). Thus, these ecosystems compete for spatial representativeness and resources in mosaics (Innes et al., 2013). Grasslands need specific attention and policies to proper management, conservation and sustainable use, since the ecological processes maintaining their biodiversity greatly differ from those driving diversity in forest ecosystems (Pillar and Velez, 2010; Overbeck et al., 2013). In ecosystems where climate favors woody vegetation, ecological disturbances are important for the temporal and spatial maintenance of grassy physiognomies (Bond and Parr, 2010; Pillar and Velez, 2010).