Tropical Forest Areas Research Articles

Potential of the upcoming Biomass P-band radar mission for digital terrain modelling beneath dense tropical forests: first accuracy assessment

Abstract. P-band radar surveys can be used to produce digital elevation models (DEMs) at ground level in dense tropical forest areas. However, the previous performance studies were carried out on DEMs derived from high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) acquisitions, while the upcoming Biomass space mission should provide DEMs at a coarser resolution due to a frequency bandwidth of 6 MHz in range. The aim of this study is to predict the quality of the DEM products derived from Biomass data through dense forest. A DEM was produced in a slant range geometry at a 15-m mesh size using SAR tomography. It was compared to the reference LiDAR survey in terms of elevation and slope, and the statistical distribution of the corresponding error was analysed with regards to the radar off-nadir angle and to the local slope and aspect. The results show that the DEM elevation has no systematic error despite the presence of forest, and it has an RMS error of 3 meters. The DEM slope has a mean error of 2° and an RMS error of 6°. The behaviour of these errors for different terrain slopes and aspects will allow to predict the quality of Biomass DEMs on a variety of terrestrial landscapes.

Climate change is expected to reduce the potential distribution of Ceiba glaziovii in Caatinga, the largest area of dry tropical forest in South America

Ecological niche modeling is a widely used tool to predict species distribution considering current, past, or future climate change scenarios across different geographic areas. Modeling scenarios allow researchers to assess the impacts of climate change on species distribution and identify priority areas for conservation. This study aimed to model the current and future potential distribution of Ceiba glaziovii under different climate change scenarios in Brazil. The MaxEnt algorithm was used to correlate species occurrence points with bioclimatic variables in current and future climate scenarios. Four General Circulation Models (GCMs) from CMIP6 were employed: BCC-CSM2-MR, CNRM-CM6-1, IPSL-CM6A-LR, and MIROC6, considering optimistic and pessimistic projections. The contribution of variables and model accuracy were assessed using the Jackknife statistical test and the Area Under the Curve (AUC) parameter. AUC values for current and future scenarios demonstrated high accuracy. The bioclimatic variables of precipitation and temperature were the main contributors to determining areas with higher habitat suitability. In the future climate scenario, there was a reduction in areas with good climatic suitability for all four GCMs, considering optimistic and pessimistic projections. Among the areas with high habitat suitability, the IPSL-CM6A-1 model in the optimistic projection showed the smallest reduction, while in the pessimistic scenario, all areas with high suitability disappeared. The species' climatic niche is expected to decrease under all tested climate change scenarios. The central areas of the Caatinga and its transition zones exhibit the highest climatic suitability in current and future scenarios and should be prioritized for the species' conservation.

Carbon Flux Models in a Zonally Dry Tropical Forest Area (Caatinga)

Studies on energy exchange in ecosystems are critical for understanding carbon flows amid different vegetation patterns. In semi-arid areas, comprehending the variability in carbon absorption is essential for quantifying and anticipating the impacts of changes in the caatinga ecosystem. This study aims to calibrate and evaluate models for Gross Primary Production (GPP), Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE), and Ecosystem Respiration (Reco) in the caatinga biome. NEE measurements were obtained and calculated at 30-minute intervals using EddyPro 3.6 software, from raw data measured at 10 Hz. GPP was estimated by partitioning NEE and Reco, all measured in micromoles of CO2 per square meter per second (μmol CO2m⁻²s⁻¹) using the eddy covariance (EC) tower, installed in a legal reserve at Embrapa Semiárido, in Petrolina, Pernambuco, within a section of the caatinga canopy. Following the measurement of carbon fluxes and ecosystem respiration, field measurements were conducted using a portableFieldSpec HandHeld spectroradiometer to obtain the reflectance of the canopy around the turbulent eddy covariance tower. These measurements were carried out in 2015 in a preserved caatinga area. Multiple linear regression models weredeveloped to estimate carbon fluxes from orbital images, enabling accurate estimation of GPP, NEE, and Reco, using the MODIS/Terra Daily Surface Reflectance product (MOD09GA). The primary results demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed models, particularly the GPP model, which exhibited the best statistical indices (R = 0.97; R² = 0.95; Root Mean Square Error = 0.20). Observations from the EC tower indicated that the models developed to estimate NEE, GPP, and Reco, using visible and near-infrared reflectance data, accurately represented the dry period and effectively captured the phenological aspects of the caatinga ecosystem.

The enigmatic life history of the bamboo explained as a strategy to arrest succession

AbstractBamboos are perennial woody grasses that display an enigmatic mix of traits. Bamboo is highly shade intolerant like early‐successional trees. Without secondary xylem, bamboos cannot continue to grow once they reach a maximum height or replace xylem damaged by hydraulic stress and must instead replace each stem after a few years using vegetative propagation via rhizomes. These traits of bamboo would appear to make them inferior to trees in competition for both light and water in all but early‐successional wet locations. However, some species competitively exclude trees and form persistent monodominant stands across large areas in tropical and temperate forests, including areas that are not mesic. Moreover, bamboo paradoxically postpones seed production for decades to over a century, and then flowers semelparously and dies synchronously. The delayed reproduction appears to be inconsistent with an early‐successional strategy to colonize disturbed areas as soon as they form, while the simultaneous death over large areas appears to be inconsistent with a late‐successional strategy to gain and hold space. Bamboo exhibits great diversity in its growth form and life histories along the tropical‐temperate geographical cline, with tropical bamboo being taller with shorter rhizome lengths and flowering interval lengths than temperate bamboo. We hypothesize that all of the above characteristics of bamboo are essential elements of competitive strategies to arrest succession in a lineage that lacks secondary xylem. To develop this Arrested Succession Hypothesis, we construct mathematical models of competition for recently disturbed areas between a tree species and a species with bamboo's enigmatic characteristics. We modeled the growth of bamboo genetic individuals from seedlings after seed germination to clonal culms at mass flowering and then placed these individuals in competition with one another and with trees in simple models of competition for light. Results explain how bamboo's traits allow it to persist in forests late in succession despite its hydraulic disadvantages, and form monodominant stands in the temperate zone, but not in tropical forests. They explain why bamboo is semelparous with synchronized reproduction, and why maximum culm size and age, reproductive interval, and rhizome length differ between the tropics and the temperate zone.

Wild animal attacks and other occupational risks perceived by Indigenous hunters and fishers in the Yangambi landscape

ABSTRACT Hunting and fishing support diverse food systems in tropical forest areas, but carry serious occupational risks. Health and safety at work is important to human wellbeing and constitutes an element of Indigenous rights. This issue has received attention in the regulated sector, but needs additional focus in subsistence and informal economies. We draw on semi-structured interviews with Turumbo hunters and fishers in the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve region (DRC) to assess perceptions of occupational risk, especially attacks from wild animals. Fishers were concerned about drowning and cuts, while hunters cited bad weather and injuries from faulty equipment. There was gender-specific perception of risk from wild animals that reflected different roles: women noted snake bites and wasps, while men feared larger animals. Retaliatory behaviors among respondents included killing various species. The risks associated with fishing and hunting in tropical forests should be addressed in policies that consider the wellbeing of the poor.

Progress of Tourism Development in East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia: A Path to Realize the Sustainable Economic Sector

The tourism sector in East Kalimantan Province is expected to contribute to the region’s economy over the domination of the mining industry. On the other hand, the main issue is that the province’s economy still relies much upon the mining-based sector, particularly coal. As green growth-based and sustainable development strategies have been embraced globally for future development, developing a tourism-based economy is associated with this implementation due to tropical and mangrove forest area resources owned by the province. This path, if consistently developed, means not only an improved proportion of non-mining sectors in total local GDP but also significant reductions of carbon emissions responsible for global warming and climate change. Less elaborated studies have discussed the case of tourism development for the case of coal-based at province level. This paper tries to contribute to the gap by descriptively summarizing the current conditions of the tourism destinations and their climate development in the region using SWOT analysis. Our study shows that East Kalimantan Province has a comparative advantage in natural tourism with ecotourism destinations. Mangrove forest attractions, for instance, recorded as many as 18 objects and if these objects are properly conserved, they may contribute to reducing the harmful effects led by greenhouse gases. Other tourist objects with nature backgrounds have also reached 124 in number, and there was one object recognized in the Indonesian Tourism Village Award. An increase in non-domestic tourist visits from 2013 to 2019 was also seen, though the number was less developed compared to national tourists, and it experienced a significant decrease due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some limitations such as accessibility and amenities, human resource, branding, and marketing of tourist destinations hamper the development of the tourism sector and should be addressed to optimize its competitiveness. Policies that cut these burdens may improve the realization of sustainability in East Kalimantan’s Province economy. Keywords: tourism, development, tourist destinations, ecotourism, East Kalimantan

Considering the land-cover elasticity of ecosystem service value coefficients improves assessments of large land-use changes

Economic development often impacts on ecosystem services. Previous studies have raised public and political awareness of the costs associated with such impacts and the benefits of ecosystem services. In cases where empirical information on the value of ecosystem services is lacking, benefit transfer (BT) approaches that use value estimates from a previously studied site to estimate the economic values of a new target area have been established. One of the most popular BT approaches is unit value transfer, where constant ecosystem service value coefficients are used to assess a given land-use/land-cover (LULC) change. In several case studies assessing LULC changes, such unit value transfers with constant value coefficients are biased when nonmarginal changes are involved. Theoretical considerations suggest that large changes in land allocation should alter the opportunity costs of gaining or losing natural capital because the marginal costs of additional losses increase as some LULC types become scarcer (e.g. natural ecosystems). In contrast, marginal benefits shrink as other LULC types become more abundant (e.g. agricultural replacement systems).Here, we propose an improved method for assessing larger scale (i.e., at national levels and beyond) LULC changes using endogenous value coefficients that account for the size of the land cover allocated to each LULC type and derive an equation for calculating these coefficients. The extent to which the value coefficient changes with variations in the land cover area depends on the land-cover elasticity of the value coefficient. Using a hypothetical numerical example of an area of tropical forest converted into grassland, we show that the bias caused by neglecting this land-cover elasticity can be considerable. We also demonstrate how the elasticity needed to correct the value coefficient can be estimated empirically. Finally, we suggest some modifications for future studies assessing large LULC changes.

Review of forest ecosystem services evaluation studies in East Africa

The East African region hosts diverse forest ecosystems, such as woodlands, highland forests, and coastal mangrove forests. These ecosystems are crucial for biodiversity and support various plant and animal species. They provide essential resources, benefiting livelihoods directly and indirectly. Examining regional and global variations in forest ecosystem valuation, especially regarding livelihood benefits, is crucial for sustainable resource management aligned with forest-based climate solutions. The aim of this review is to assess how regional contextual factors and global trends impact the valuation of ecosystem services (ES) in East Africa, with two main objectives (1) to identify the most evaluated ES in East Africa and (2) to identify the preferred ES valuation methods and approaches applied in East Africa. Data from the Web of Science/Clarivate platform was used in the systematic review process using the Reporting standard for Systematic Evidence Syntheses to retrieve and analyse 222 articles. The ES were categorized using the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment framework and the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services in order to create a review database. Provisioning services i.e., wood biomass and food production were the most assessed at 55%, followed by 30% regulating services i.e., carbon storage, 8.6% support services i.e., habitat and 6.4% cultural services i.e., ecotourism which reflected communities’ direct reliance on forest resources. The preferred direct ES valuation techniques included market price at 14.9% for assessing provisioning services and travel cost methods at 10.4% for cultural services. Amongst the indirect ES valuation techniques, remote sensing at 14.7% were preferred as they proved efficient for large and remote tropical forest areas. Participatory methods such as interviews at 11.8% were also preferred because they offer holistic perspectives on community priorities. This review provides spatial context on the regional priorities of ES valuation which is vital for safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) breeding effort and productivity in seasonal tropical forests of the central Mexican Pacific

Camera trap studies on ocelots in Mexico have focused on abundance, habitat use, and activity patterns, mainly within Protected Areas of tropical humid forests in southern regions. However, their ecology, including breeding effort and productivity in seasonal dry Pacific forests and areas outside Protected Areas, has received less attention. The species’ low reproductive rates make their populations vulnerable to decline. In evaluating the reproduction, the species’ breeding activity was examined for two survey periods performed during 2010–2016. We estimated the percentage of females raising young in the surveys and their associated fecundity–”productivity”. The overall results revealed a population of 26 males and 46 females that included 10 females (21%) rearing 12 young, defined as kittens, cubs, or juveniles, for an effective sample area (ESA) of 200 km2. Overall, the productivity averaged 2.05/100 km2 per season. All parameters varied between the two areas, and productivity was not constant in time in either area or site. Information on species breeding activity in combination with density estimations may facilitate determining the minimum area required for a viable ocelot population in the region. Protected Areas are required in the studied region for the ocelot in order to maintain a viable local population. This is due to the increasing fragmentation caused by agriculture, cattle ranching, and forest fires, and it is hypothesized that ocelots do not tolerate disturbance or severe fragmentation.

The Mesoamerican giant toad (<em>Rhinella horribilis</em>) as bioindicator of vegetation degradation in a tropical forest

Identifying species that can serve as bioindicators of environmental quality is essential for monitoring the anthropogenic impact. Common and widespread species can be ideal bioindicators due to their abundance and easy monitoring, but a confirmation of their differential responses as a function of habitat perturbation is needed. Because amphibians are known as good bioindicators of environmental perturbation, we conducted this work to identify whether a common, generalist amphibian species, the Mesoamerican giant toad (Rhinella horribilis), could serve as a bioindicator of environmental degradation in a tropical forest. We sampled toads in two areas of tropical forest that differed in anthropogenic degradation (primary vs. secondary forest), establishing in each of these areas two sections of the same surface area but differing in substrate (grass vs. sand). We analyzed toad abundance, sex ratio, body length and condition, and the amount and distribution across the body of ectoparasites (ticks). We analyzed 59 toads that were infested with 503 ticks. Based on a multi-model inference approach, the results suggested that toads were more abundant and had lower body condition in the secondary than in the primary forest. In the secondary forest, females were proportionally less abundant than males. The tick loads responded to an interaction of the body area with either the forest type or the substrate, with increased occurrence of ticks in toads from secondary forests and from grass sections. The differences found between the primary and secondary forests in sex ratio, toad abundance, body condition, and tick load across body regions are consistent with previous studies in other less common species of amphibians and thus posit R. horribilis as a good bioindicator of anthropic disturbance in this tropical forest.

Activity of bats (Chiroptera) in extensive livestock systems in the Colombian Caribbean

Introduction: Extensive cattle ranching in tropical dry forest areas (TDF) has caused the transformation of natural ecosystems and altered the behavior of associated organisms, generating variation in activity patterns. In bats, the activity pattern is affected by the composition and vegetation structure of the ecosystem, and by the climatic season (dry and rainy). Objetive: In this study, the effect of conventional management systems (CS) and silvopastoral (SPS) of extensive livestock management on the bat activity patterns in the Colombian Caribbean was determined. Methods: The activity pattern of bats in TDF fragments associated with CS and SPS was compared within an annual cycle. The daily activity patterns of 11 species with records of more than 10 days in within management systems were determined. Results: Greater bat activity was recorded during the rainy season. We found that although bats show behavioral adaptation to the different management systems, in TDF fragments associated with SPS there is greater bat activity throughout the year, compared to the activity recorded in CS. Species with higher energetic requirements and degree of specialization (Phyllostomus hastatus, P. discolor and Glossophaga soricina) modified their activity patterns between CS and SPS management types. Conclusion: The TDF fragments associated in SSP, due to the vegetation composition and structure, probably favor the constant supply of resources suitable for the bats assemblage stability.

Passive acoustic monitoring of endangered endemic Afromontane tropical species: A case study with two turacos

AbstractPassive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is a reliable method for studying the behaviour and ecology of vocally active animals, providing insights into species' activity patterns. Here, we utilised a year‐long recording programme conducted in six areas of the Afromontane tropical forest of Cameroon to assess the utility of PAM, describe the annual and circadian vocal activity patterns, and assess the relationship between vocal activity and climate conditions for two African turaco species: the endemic and Endangered Bannerman's turaco (Tauraco bannermani) and the common, but locally at risk, Great blue turaco (Corythaeola cristata). The automated software detected 8670 vocalisations of Bannerman's turaco and 374 of the Great blue turaco, proving the ability of passive acoustics, coupled with automated software, for monitoring these species. Our findings suggest that both turacos are sedentary and seasonal breeders, exhibiting larger peaks of vocal activity during the dry season, although both species showed smaller activity peaks during the wet season. Similar circadian patterns were observed for both species, with activity peaks occurring at dawn and dusk. Long‐term monitoring programmes of both species should be implemented in the study areas, especially regarding the Great blue turaco, which may soon disappear from Bamenda Highlands.

Impacts of Deforestation on Soil Quality and Water Resources in Tropical Forest Areas of Sumatra

Deforestation poses a significant threat to the tropical forest regions of Sumatra, impacting soil quality and water resources crucial for ecosystem health and human well-being. This paper synthesizes the multifaceted impacts of deforestation on soil and water in Sumatra and proposes strategies for sustainable land management. Deforestation leads to a decline in soil organic matter, nutrient levels, and microbial diversity, affecting soil fertility and erosion susceptibility. Additionally, the loss of forest cover disrupts the hydrological cycle, altering water availability, quality, and distribution. Increased surface runoff and sedimentation degrade water bodies, threatening aquatic biodiversity and community water supplies. Integrated analysis highlights the interdependencies between land cover change, soil degradation, and hydrological processes, emphasizing the need for holistic management approaches. Reforestation, agroforestry, and community engagement are proposed as essential strategies for mitigating deforestation impacts and promoting ecosystem resilience in Sumatra.

Nucleic acid degradation after long-term dried blood spot storage.

Collecting and preserving biological samples in the field, particularly in remote areas in tropical forests, prior to laboratory analysis is challenging. Blood samples in many cases are used for nucleic acid-based species determination, genomics or pathogen research. In most cases, maintaining a cold chain is impossible and samples remain at ambient temperature for extended periods of time before controlled storage conditions become available. Dried blood spot (DBS) storage, blood stored on cellulose-based paper, has been widely applied to facilitate sample collection and preservation in the field for decades. However, it is unclear how long-term storage on this substrate affects nucleic acid concentration and integrity. We analysed nucleic acid quality from DBS stored on Whatman filter paper no. 3 and FTA cards for up to 15 years in comparison to cold-chain stored samples using four nucleic acid extraction methods. We examined the ability to identify viral sequences from samples of 12 free-ranging primates in the Amazon forest, using targeted hybridization capture, and determined if mitochondrial genomes could be retrieved. The results suggest that even after extended periods of storage, DBS will be suitable for some genomic applications but may be of limited use for viral pathogen research, particularly RNA viruses.

Exploring livelihood dependency on provisioning ecosystem services in a protected tropical forest area of eastern India: keys to sustainable forest management

Exploring livelihood dependency on provisioning ecosystem services in a protected tropical forest area of eastern India: keys to sustainable forest management

Climate Seasonality of Tropical Evergreen Forest Region

Climatic seasonality has lacked research attention in terms of global tropical forests, where it impacts vegetation productivity, biodiversity, and hydrological cycles. This study employs two methods—climatological anomalous accumulation (CAA) and potential evapotranspiration (PET) threshold—to detect the climatic seasonality of global tropical forests, including the onset and duration of wet seasons. Spatial clustering based on the length of the wet season is used to delineate smaller regions within the tropical forest areas to observe their precipitation patterns. The results show that these methods effectively reveal more homogeneous regions and their respective rainfall patterns. In particular, we found that the wet season in Amazon forests detected by the CAA method is more uniform in space than the PET threshold, but the global tropical forest regions divided by the CAA method on average contain more complex climates than the PET threshold. Moreover, the year-round abundant precipitation in Southeast Asia, which is strongly influenced by monsoons, presents challenges for wet season detection. Overall, this work provides an objective perspective for understanding the climatic seasonality changes in tropical forests and lays a scientific foundation for future forest management and the development of adaptation strategies to global climate change.

Enhanced net CO2 exchange of a semideciduous forest in the southern Amazon due to diffuse radiation from biomass burning

Abstract. Carbon cycling in the Amazon fundamentally depends on the functioning of ecosystems and atmospheric dynamics, which are highly intricate. Few studies have hitherto investigated or measured the radiative effects of aerosols on the Amazon and Cerrado. This study examines the effects of atmospheric aerosols on solar radiation and their effects on net ecosystem exchange (NEE) in an area of semideciduous tropical forest in the north of Mato Grosso. Our results show that for a relative irradiance (f) 1.10–0.67, a decrease in incident solar radiation is associated with a reduction in the NEE. However, an average increase of 25 %–110 % in NEE was observed when pollution levels and aerosol optical depth (AOD) were above ≈ 1.25 and f < 0.5. The increase NEE was attributed to the increase of up to 60 % in the diffuse fraction of photosynthetically active radiation. The change in AOD and f was mainly attributable to biomass burning organic aerosols from fires. Important influences on vapor pressure deficit (VPD) as well as air temperature (Tair) and canopy (LCT), induced by the interaction between solar radiation and high aerosol load in the observation area, were also noticed. On average, a cooling of about 3–4 ∘C was observed for Tair and LCT, and a decrease of up to 2–3 hPa was observed for VPD. Given the long-distance transport of aerosols emitted by burning biomass, significant changes in atmospheric optical properties and irradiance will impact the CO2 flux of semideciduous forests distributed in the region.

Inoculation with rhizospheric microorganisms in tropical dry forests restoration increased microbial diversity but had no effect on seedling growth

The diversity of soil microbial organisms is rarely considered in restoration scenarios, even though this diversity is an important component of the ecological complexity that we aim to understand. Plant growth promoting microorganisms can positively affect plants by providing nutrients regularly, producing phytohormones to stimulate root growth and development, and modifying the rhizosphere environment. The present study evaluated, over a 5‐month period, the effects of inoculation of Inga densiflora nurse seedlings with rhizospheric microorganisms taken from a neighbor forest habitat, in the context of an early‐stage ecological restoration project in a Tropical Dry Forest area invaded by Guinea grass (Panicum maximum). The inoculation's effect on two response variables was evaluated: (1) growth of the seedling (I. densiflora), and (2) the diversity of bacteria and fungi, with an emphasis on genera associated with rhizosphere that promote vegetation growth. Bacterial and fungal diversity were evaluated using the metabarcoding method and Hill numbers q = 0, 1, and 2. Significantly higher microorganism diversity was found in the rhizosphere of inoculated seedlings compared to non‐inoculated seedlings. However, no significant differences were found in the growth of inoculated versus non‐inoculated seedlings. This evidence suggests that, in the short term and through a restoration context, inoculating trees with microorganisms taken directly from a neighboring forest can increase bacterial diversity, and possibly also fungal diversity. While understanding the intricacies of these processes requires further study, this technique seems to be a promising approach for recovering the diversity of rhizosphere microbiomes during ecological restoration.

Expanding the knowledge of the bat fauna of the Brazilian Caatinga: new geographical records of molossid bats (Chiroptera, Molossidae) for the Chapada Diamantina region, with taxonomic notes.

The Caatinga, an exclusive biome in Brazil, is the largest tropical dry forest area in the Americas. It is characterized by a semi-arid climate and various soils that harbor a great diversity of flora and fauna. Novel records of aerial insectivorous bat species in the family Molossidae in the Chapada Diamantina, northeastern Brazil are presented. The study is based on field sampling of 115 molossid bat specimens from six genera and 12 taxonomically confirmed species, along with four taxa requiring further evaluation for definitive species identification. All specimens were obtained using mist nets around a small freshwater lagoon surrounded by semideciduous dry forest. The verified genera were Cynomops, Eumops, Molossops, Molossus, Neoplatymops, and Nyctinomops. Our findings enhance the understanding of bat diversity in the Brazilian Caatinga, with the first records of Eumopsdelticus, E.bonariensis, and Molossuscurrentium. The most abundant species were Molossusrufus, Eumopsglaucinus, Cynomopsplanirostris, Nyctinomopslaticaudatus, and Molossusmolossus. Previously unreported morphological and morphometric variations for these Caatinga taxa were examined. Additionally, information on sexual dimorphism in craniodental characteristics of Molossopstemminckii and variations in the presence of the sagittal crest in Neoplatymopsmattogrossensis are provided. Based on the voucher specimens from this study, the recognized number of species of Molossidae known from the Caatinga has increased to 21. Our results offer new insights into the taxonomy and biogeography of Neotropical molossids, highlighting their importance as members of bat communities in dry forest ecosystems from northeastern South America.

Distribuição espaço-temporal da biomassa e carbono florestal acima do solo em Floresta Tropical Seca sob pressão antrópica, Brasil

The present study aimed to characterize the spatiotemporal variability of aboveground biomass and carbon in two fragments of Dry Tropical Forest in the Brazilian semi-arid region using the kriging interpolation technique. One fragment experienced vegetation suppression for alternative land use, while the other had no history of use or wood extraction. The vertices of 80 plots (20 m x 20 m) were georeferenced, and biomass and carbon were estimated using allometric equations adjusted for Caatinga species. Spatial analyses and mapping of aboveground biomass and carbon were performed using GS+ software, with semivariograms fitted using spherical, exponential, and Gaussian models. The research aims to fill gaps regarding the impacts of inadequate forest exploitation in Dry Tropical Forests, specifically on the spatiotemporal distribution of biomass and carbon, as anthropogenic pressure can cause significant environmental degradation, resulting in reduced stocks. This investigation seeks to elucidate these dynamics and provide insights for management and conservation strategies based on robust empirical data, in addition to answering the following questions: Does the history of anthropogenic interventions in Dry Tropical Forest areas cause variations in the spatial distribution of biomass and carbon stocks that can be detected by the kriging method? Which attributes related to conservation and anthropogenic use reflect the spatial distribution of biomass and carbon stocks in Dry Tropical Forest areas? The results showed a strong spatial dependence of biomass and carbon stocks in both studied areas, indicating the influence of the areas’ use history. The conserved fragment presented a more homogeneous spatial distribution, suggesting that the selective and unauthorized wood extraction was dispersed throughout the area.