Abstract
The study investigates the effect of spatial and temporal tree-fall gaps structure on spiders’ assemblage in an Atlantic forest fragmented area in Brazil. It was conducted in the Michelin Ecological Preserve-REM (Bahia), 190 ha forest remnant. Samples were collected on leaf-litter (50 × 50 cm) at five tree-fall gaps formations (2), within five adjacent primary forest and five inner edge parcels. During 16 months (between May 2009 and October 2012), 480 m2 leaf-litter samples were collected, from which spiders were extracted using mini-Winkler traps. The observed and estimated richness of spider’s species was higher at the edge (p
Highlights
Natural disturbances role in shaping the tropical forests biological communities’ structure is widely known [1]
Natural disturbances increase habitat heterogeneity by promoting specialization and resource partitioning among species, whereas at the same time, they prevent from competitive exclusion fostering diversity [2]-[4]
The regeneration witnessed on tree-fall gaps promotes the development of primary and pioneer species, and the secondary one promotes remarkable changes on trees’ population’s dynamics, species composition and growth rate [8] [9]
Summary
Natural disturbances role in shaping the tropical forests biological communities’ structure is widely known [1]. The regeneration witnessed on tree-fall gaps promotes the development of primary and pioneer species, and the secondary one promotes remarkable changes on trees’ population’s dynamics, species composition and growth rate [8] [9]. It has been considered as an essential mechanism for the forests diversity’s maintenance [3] [10] [11]. Tree-fall gap regeneration can be divided into three phases: tree-fall gaps formation, building phase, and mature phase [12]. These phases duration vary, and depend on factors such as size [6] [13], alleviation [14], severity of disturbance [13], soil condition [7] and pre-existing vegetation [15] [16]
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