Occurrence of non-native species and their potential impact on plant communities in protected areas in the Brazilian Amazon region

Lana Cynthia Silva Magalhães,Maria Clara Silva-Forsberg,Silvia Renate Ziller

doi:10.15517/rbt.v68i4.40429

Lana Cynthia Silva Magalhães, Maria Clara Silva-Forsberg + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v68i4.40429

Copy DOI

Abstract

Abstract. Introduction: There is a large information gap on the occurrence of non-native species and their impacts on native biodiversity in the Amazon region in Brazil. Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize the floristic composition of a protected area in Manaus, Amazonas, and assess the potential impact of non-native invasive species. Methods: A floristic survey was carried out in 30 plots measuring 20 x 20 m with 1 x 1 m subplots. The estimated parameters were density, frequency, dominance, Importance Value Index (IVI), and Environmental Impact of Non-Native Species (IIAE). Results: In total, 8 out of 264 species registered in the tree-shrub layer were not native. A total of 61 species were identified in the herbaceous layer, five of which were non-native. The impact is estimated based on the highest abundance of species of non-native species. Conclusions: The presence of non-native species in the study area is an indication of a potential impact on biodiversity and ecosystem functions.

Highlights

There is a large information gap on the occurrence of non-native species and their impacts on native biodiversity in the Amazon region in Brazil
Considering the growing threat of nonnative species to ecosystems and native biodiversity in the Amazon region, the aim of this study was to characterize the floristic composition of a protected forest fragment in the Sumauma State Park, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, and assess the potential impact of nonnative species on the plant community as a case study to introduce a larger research agenda in the Brazilian Amazon region
The number of species identified in this study was larger than in the study of Pinheiro et al, (2010), who conducted a floristic survey in the Sumauma State Park which identified 1 176 individuals in 196 species with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm

Summary

Introduction

There is a large information gap on the occurrence of non-native species and their impacts on native biodiversity in the Amazon region in Brazil. Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize the floristic composition of a protected area in Manaus, Amazonas, and assess the potential impact of non-native invasive species. The estimated parameters were density, frequency, dominance, Importance Value Index (IVI), and Environmental Impact of Non-Native Species (IIAE). Results: In total, 8 out of 264 species registered in the tree-shrub layer were not native. A total of 61 species were identified in the herbaceous layer, five of which were non-native. The impact is estimated based on the highest abundance of species of non-native species. Conclusions: The presence of non-native species in the study area is an indication of a potential impact on biodiversity and ecosystem functions

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion