Mixed Ombrophilous Forest Research Articles

Sampling Processes and Intensities for the Geostatistical Modeling of an Unevenly Aged Forest

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to estimate the basal area, through traditional sampling processes and geostatistical interpolation, and compare it to the forest census carried out in 25 ha of a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest remnant. The sampling simulations were structured for the systematic sampling, two stages, and simple random, in intensities 5, 11, and 22% of the potential sample units of 25 × 25 m. The increase in sample intensity for the systematic sampling and two stages revealed a higher level of spatial behavior details of the basal area, whereas when comparing the census with sampling, it was observed that the geostatistical interpolation shows ability to improve the accuracy of the basal area estimation.

Composition and natural history of the snakes from the Parque Estadual da Serra do Papagaio, southern Minas Gerais, Serra da Mantiqueira, Brazil.

The Serra da Mantiqueira is one of the least inventoried physiographic areas of southeastern Brazil. There is great potential for detection of endemic species for which little or nothing is known about basic aspects of natural history. The Parque Estadual da Serra do Papagaio (PESP) within the Serra da Mantiqueira is an area of extreme biological importance because it houses mixed formations of grasslands, ombrophilous forests, and enclaves of Araucaria forests (mixed ombrophilous forest). Currently, the mixed ombrophilous forest covers less than 5% of its original range and areas occupied by this forest type, and associated ecosystems constitute refuges, housing several endemic, high altitude species. Between September 2015 and April 2016, field samplings were performed in the PESP using four distinct methods. The objective was to determine the composition and natural history of snakes from an isolated, high altitude area of the Serra da Mantiqueira. In PESP and surrounding areas, 80 individuals representing 24 species, 19 genera, and three families were recorded. Data are presented on abundance, habitat, daily activity, diet, reproduction, and defense. Comparison of the PESP snake assemblage with 30 other Atlantic Forest areas in southeastern Brazil indicate the Serra da Mantiqueira presents particular characteristics regarding snake composition.

PASSIVE RESTORATION OF MIXED OMBROPHILOUS FOREST A DECADE AFTER FOREST PLANTATION REMOVAL IN THE SOUTH OF BRAZIL

The objective of this study was to evaluate the floristic composition, diversity and ecological characteristics of riparian forest tree species under passive restoration a decade after removing Pinus and Eucalyptus genus forest plantations and comparing the data to a reference ecosystem. The study was conducted in a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest fragment in the municipality of Ponte Alta, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. A total of 30 plots of 200 m² were installed, 15 in the area under passive restoration and 15 in the reference ecosystem, covering the arboreal and regenerating strata. In these areas, rarefied richness, Shannon index, Pielou evenness, floristic dissimilarity, ecological group representativeness and the tree species dispersal syndromes were evaluated. The families with the highest specific richness were: Myrtaceae (14 species) in the reference ecosystem, and Lauraceae (eight species) in the area under passive restoration. Considering the ecological indicators used and the use of the reference ecosystem, it can be considered that the passive restoration after a decade in forest succession proved to be efficient for enlarging the riparian forests in the studied area.

FLORÍSTICA E ESTRUTURA DE DUAS COMUNIDADES ARBÓREAS SECUNDÁRIAS COM DIFERENTES GRAUS DE DISTÚRBIO EM PROCESSO DE RECUPERAÇÃO

Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a composição florística e a estrutura da comunidade arbórea de áreas em processo de recuperação ambiental no município de Bocaiúva do Sul-PR. A produção e divulgação de dados e informações sobre a florística e fitossociologia da cobertura florestal em duas áreas com condições ambientais e intervenções distintas é uma contribuição relevante para compreender a dinâmica na estrutura arbórea em áreas de recuperação ambiental. Para isso, foram selecionadas duas áreas com distintos graus de degradação: Floresta Secundária Inicial (FSI), área na qual houve corte raso, isto é, retirada das camadas superficiais do solo e revegetação com Mimosa scabrella Benth; e Floresta Secundária Avançada (FSA), que representa um fragmento de Floresta Ombrófila Mista em que houve exploração seletiva de espécies de interesse comercial. A amostragem da vegetação foi realizada em 10 parcelas de 150 m² em cada área (0,15 ha), nas quais foram mensurados todos os indivíduos arbóreos, incluindo as árvores mortas com circunferência a altura do peito (CAP) igual ou superior a 15 cm. Na FSI, foram amostradas 40 espécies pertencentes a 24 famílias, enquanto na FSA foram amostradas 57 espécies pertencentes a 27 famílias botânicas. Os resultados apontaram que a estrutura da vegetação na FSA é distinta da FSI, com menor densidade de árvores, maior área basal e diversidade florística.

Local varieties of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze (Pinales: Araucariaceae) in southern Brazil: A brief discussion about landscape domestication

A Araucária é uma espécie emblemática da Floresta Ombrófila Mista – FOM. O comércio do “pinhão”, sua semente, é economicamente relevante para grupos regionais, influenciando no manejo e uso da espécie. As populações da espécie foram historicamente manipuladas pela ação humana, que identificam variedades locais, caracterizando certo grau de domesticação da espécie e da paisagem. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo foi identificar essas variedades, caracterizar o uso e manejo do “pinhão” em comunidades locais circundantes ao Parque Nacional de São Joaquim – PNSJ, e discutir interações homem-plantas que possam ser relevantes na estruturação de paisagens culturais domesticadas. Aplicamos questionários semi-estruturados a quinze agricultores-extratores no entorno do PNSJ. Realizando turnês guiadas, montamos nove parcelas de 1600 m2 para coleta de dados populacionais da Araucária. Nos questionários, quatro variedades foram citadas: “Cajuvá”, “Macaco”, “Do cedo” e “Do tarde” além de duas variedades identificadas nas turnês-guiadas (N=52). Todos entrevistados afirmaram usar, direta/indiretamente, o “pinhão”, além de citarem variedades que conhecem e/ou manejam na FOM, evidenciando processo de domesticação. A conservação da Araucária pode ser favorecida ao considerar populações humanas locais que usam e manejam os recursos dessa espécie, fortalecendo sua conservação ao nível de paisagens manejadas junto às Unidades de Conservação do estado.

O Monocultivo da Araucaria angustifolia na Floresta Nacional de Passo Fundo, Brasil (1947-1960)

A região de ocorrência endêmica da Floresta Ombrófila Mista no sul do Brasil foi, no início do século XX, transformada pela indústria madeireira, o que ocasionou a redução da área florestal contendo espécies nativas madeiráveis. Em contrapartida, o Instituto Nacional do Pinho aplicou o “Plano de Reflorestamento” como tentativa de repor a matéria-prima florestal que se tornou escassa. Este artigo dedica-se a narrar e analisar as atividades desenvolvidas no então Parque Florestal José Segadas Viana – atualmente a Floresta Nacional de Passo Fundo – durante os anos de 1947 a 1960, período no qual o Parque teve por função desenvolver técnicas experimentais de plantio e manejo da espécie arbórea nativa Araucaria angustifolia. A partir da interpretação de diversas fontes de pesquisa, grande parte inédita, concluiu que o conhecimento produzido no Parque serviu aos propósitos do Instituto Nacional do Pinho e que as práticas de monocultivo construíram um agroecossistema florestal.

The Impact of Traditional Silvopastoral System on the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest Remnants

ABSTRACT The results of an evaluation of the impact of traditional silvopastoral system on floristic and phytosociology of the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (MOF) remnants, named caivas, in the North Plateau of Santa Catarina, South of Brazil are shown here to contribute to a better understanding of the impact of human activities on natural environments,. There was significant heterogeneity in floristic and structural aspects among the remnants. They exhibited high floristic integrity, with the presence of species typically registered in MOF. On the other hand, the incidence of exotic species was inexpressive. The predominance of smaller plant individuals than expected for adults of the species, combined with the predominance of secondary and pioneer species indicate the occurrence of repeated disturbances over the years. It is urgent to identify technological alternatives to enable appropriate foraging and increase in livestock production, ensuring economic and social sustainability with less environmental impact.

A new species of Chusquea subg. Chusquea (Poaceae—Bambusoideae—Bambuseae) from Minas Gerais, Brazil: morphological evidence and phylogenetic placement within the Euchusquea clade

Chusquea gouveiensis is a new species of tropical woody bamboo from Brazil, herein described and illustrated. It is classified within C. subg. Chusquea, mainly based on its scandent habit, triangular central bud with vertical orientation, extra-or infravaginal branching, and lemma margins free at the apex. The new species is most similar to C. gracilis because they share culm leaves with undifferentiated sheaths and blades with a folded or twisted apex, and foliage leaves and spikelets of similar length. However, C. gouveiensis is distinguished from C. gracilis by having branch complements of 40‒90 usually ascending subsidiary branches (vs. 70‒195 mostly horizontally oriented subsidiary branches), synflorescences weakly paniculate to racemose (vs. paniculate), glumes I and II collectively 0.3‒0.7 mm long (vs. 0.1‒0.2 mm long), and glumes III and IV awned and abaxially pilose to pubescent at the apex (vs. mucronate and glabrous). The two species also differ in distribution: C. gouveiensis is only known from the region of Gouveia and Diamantina, in the southern portion of the Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, in forest fragments at 1,200‒1,300 m.a.s.l., whereas C. gracilis occurs in the southern Brazilian states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, in mixed ombrophilous forests between 550 and 880 m.a.s.l. Based on nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and plastid DNA sequence data (ndhF and trnD-trnT), a sixth lineage within the Euchusquea clade was identified, herein named clade VI—Chusquea meyeriana clade, comprising a significant portion of the Brazilian species of Chusquea. The new species has phylogenetic affinities with the C. meyeriana informal group and is also distinct from C. gracilis in the phylogeny.

Diameter Increment Modeling in an Araucaria Forest Fragment Using Cluster Analysis

ABSTRACT The aims of the present study were to test the hypothesis that data stratification by cluster analysis and the use of other variables, in addition to DBH, can improve the precision of the estimates in diametric increment modeling for Mixed Ombrophilous Forest species. The study was carried out in the Irati National Forest. Data from 25 permanent sample plots of 1 ha each were used with all individuals presenting DBH equal to or greater than 10 cm being identified and measured. The increment modeling was performed for the whole forest (non-stratified data), ecological groups and species subgroups (stratified data) defined by cluster analysis. DBH presented a low correlation with the diametric increment and the use of other independent variables had a positive effect on the fitting, reducing the standard error of estimate and increasing the coefficient of determination. The data stratification did not make the models suitable to estimate the diametric increment; however, it provided improvements by reducing the standard error of estimate, suggesting that this technique can be better applied in the search for improvements to diametric modeling in natural forests.

DEFORESTATION IN MIXED OMBROPHILOUS FOREST IN THE SERRANA REGION OF SANTA CATARINA

ABSTRACT Since the enactment of Law No. 11,428/06, an expectation was created as to whether more restricted rules on the use and conservation of the Atlantic Forest Biome would be sufficient to reduce deforestation. In the same sense, the inspection bodies stood out due to their responsibility in the application of this important legal instrument. In this context, the objectives of this study were: 1) to analyze the history of deforestation in the Planalto Serrano of the State of Santa Catarina, whose forest covered area is characterized by the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest, after the validity of Law 11,428/06; 2) to verify the application of the Law in the occurrence of deforestation, and 3) to identify the reasons for deforestation. A documentary research was carried out on 543 criminal procedures instituted by the Environmental Military Police for deforestation between December 2006 and December 2015. From each criminal case the following data were extracted: date, number of occurrences per year and municipality, size, successional stage of the deforested area, motive and land use of deforested areas. The results indicated that there was an accentuated reduction of 58% in the number of deforestation between 2007 and 2015. However, the selective cutting of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze was predominant with a percentage of 62.07% of the total number of occurrences. It was also verified that 71.46% of deforestation reached the middle stage of forest regeneration. In most case (33%), the reason for deforestation was for commercial purposes. The law for the protection of the Atlantic Forest Biome, conjunctly with the inspection, contributed to reduce deforestation and the cut of araucarias. Nevertheless, advancements are still needed, especially in the recovery of deforested areas, since only 28% of deforested areas were effectively restored.

WOODY NECROMASS STOCK IN MIXED OMBROPHILOUS FOREST USING DIFFERENT SAMPLING METHODS

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to quantify the necromass stock in a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (MOF) fragment in the National Forest of Irati, State of Paraná, Brazil. Two sampling methods were tested: FA1, consisting of a fixed area (FA) approach with sample units measuring 2,500 m2 (50 m × 50 m); and FA2, consisting of fixed area sampling units measuring 500 m2 (10 m × 50 m) and line intercept sampling (LI) using 50 m lines. Data were collected on permanent sample plots installed in the area, consisting of 25 square blocks of 1 ha. Fallen dead wood pieces with a diameter = 10 cm were used in the analysis. The dead wood was classified into three degrees of decomposition, and masses were calculated as the corresponding density at each class. The tested sampling methods were evaluated using coefficient of variation and relative sampling error, and the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the results between the methods. Volume size of fallen dead wood did not statistically differ between the methods, but variation in necromass volume was lower in the FA1 method, whereas the FA2 method had a smaller sampling error. Overall sampling error ranged from 23.4-27.92%; lowering the sampling error to 15% would require a high sampling intensity (FA1: 42 area units [a.u.], FA2: 99 a.u., and LI: 236 a.u.). Total necromass weights amounted to 4.67 Mg.ha-1 (FA1); 5.16 Mg.ha-1 (FA2) and 4.58 Mg.ha-1 (IL), and carbon stock estimates were 2.00 Mg.C.ha-1 (FA1); 2.20 Mg.C.ha-1 (FA2) and 1.96 Mg.C.ha-1 (IL).

Análise estrutural e dinâmica de Gymnanthes klotzschiana (Müll. Arg.) em um fragmento de floresta ombrófila mista

A Gymnanthes klotzschiana é uma espécie arbórea pioneira característica das planícies aluviais da Floresta Ombrófila Mista, importante para a conservação das matas ciliares. Portanto este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a estrutura e a dinâmica de G. klotzschiana em um fragmento de Floresta Ombrófila Mista. Os dados utilizados na pesquisa provêm de um censo (inventário 100%) realizado nos anos de 2007, 2010 e 2013 no Capão da Engenharia Florestal, situado na Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba (PR), com área total de 15,2 ha. As medições foram realizadas em intervalos de 3 anos, sendo mensuradas e identificadas todas ás árvores com circunferência à altura do peito superiores a 30 cm. As análises estruturais foram realizadas com base nos parâmetros populacionais por espécie e a dinâmica foi obtida por meio do acompanhamento do crescimento, ingresso e mortalidade entre os períodos de medição. Os resultados mostram um aumento de indivíduos entre as três medições, passando de 120 para 256 indivíduos, consequentemente, houve um incremento considerável em área basal entre as medições, de 3,26 m² para 6,2 m². A taxa de incremento periódico anual em diâmetro aumentou de 0,31 cm/ano para 0,34 cm/ano, e o incremento periódico anual em área transversal majorou de 0,0280 m² ha-1 para 0,0397 m² ha-1. A taxa de ingresso aumentou gradativamente, enquanto não houve mortalidade no período de medições. A G. klotzschiana possui alto valor de importância para a Floresta Ombrófila Mista, bem como uma dinâmica que favorece o desenvolvimento de outras espécies.

BEHAVIOR OF THE DIAMETRIC DISTRIBUTION OF ECOLOGICAL GROUPS IN A MIXED OMBROPHILOUS FOREST FRAGMENT

The Mixed Ombrophilous Forest is one of the most threatened ecosystems in Brazil. It is thus necessary to understand its dynamics of growth over time so that sustainable use and conservation management strategies be proposed. The objective of this study is to evaluate the behavior of the diametric distribution of two pioneer and non-pioneer ecological groups in a fragment of Mixed Ombrophilous Forest considering four years of evaluations: from 2002 to 2017. Exponential, Gamma, Weber and Weibull 3P density probability functions were adjusted. The diametric behavior of the forest and the ecological groups analyzed remained negative exponentially, being a characteristic of natural forests. The distributions that best adjusted were Weibull 3P for the forest as a whole and for the group of pioneers, and Weber for non-pioneers. We concluded that ecological groups have the same pattern of diametric distribution as the forest as a whole. However, different forest management strategies are necessary considering the intrinsic characteristics of each group.

Brazilian pine diameter at breast height and growth in mixed Ombrophilous forest in Southern Brazil

Brazilian pine diameter at breast height and growth in mixed Ombrophilous forest in Southern Brazil

SHORT-TERM IMPACT OF A HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT’S RESERVOIR ON THE TREE COMPONENT IN AN ECOTONAL AREA IN SANTA CATARINA

ABSTRACT This study was conducted in an ecotonal area between the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (MOF) and the Deciduous Seasonal Forest (DSF) in Santa Catarina, Brazil, to identify the impact of the water reservoir of the Garibaldi hydroelectric power plant on the mortality and floristic-structural composition of the tree component in a riparian forest adjacent to it. One year after the reservoir water filling, 48 200 m2 plots were systematically allocated in three sectors: adjacent to the water reservoir, intermediate slope and upper slope. The tree species individuals with circumference at breast height (CBH) > 15.7 cm were identified and measured (CBH); dead individuals were quantified. The geographic coordinates of each plot were obtained. Species diversity was analyzed by Shannon and Pielou indexes and the floristic-structural organization was evaluated through phytosociological estimates, Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) and Mantel test. Variations on mortality and floristic-structural organization regarding environmental sectors were tested with Generalized Linear Models (GLMs). 70 species have been found in the community with Shannon and Pielou values of 3.10 and 0.73, respectively. Dead individuals have shown the second highest importance value (9.59%) with the highest mortality in the lower sector (p < 0.05), which may be associated with its proximity to the water surface. The community organization has shown spatial structure; however, the NMDS and GLMs have shown no floristic-structural differentiation among sectors, probably on account of the short period of exposure to reservoir filling impacts.

TREE COMPONENT DEMOGRAPHY IN AN UPPER MONTANE MIXED OMBROPHILOUS FOREST UNDER CHRONIC ANTHROPOGENIC DISTURBANCES

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to understand the dynamics of an Upper Montane Mixed Ombrophilous Forest in the municipality of Painel, Santa Catarina, Brazil, where low-level but chronic disturbances, such as extensive cattle grazing and exploitation of non-timber products, are common practices. In 2008, permanent plots were allocated and all tree species with circumference at breast height (CBH) equal to or greater than 15.7 cm were measured. A second survey was conducted in 2014 by the same methodology. Mortality, recruitment, and basal area gain and loss rates were then determined. The tree species were classified into regeneration guilds and proportion tests were conducted to verify the associations between dynamics patterns and guilds. The community has shown a 2.3%.year-1 average mortality rate, a 2.2%.year-1 average recruitment rate, a 3.0%.year-1 average basal area gain rate and a 1.8%.year-1 average basal area loss rate. Species number has decreased from 55 to 48. Regeneration guilds have shown different dynamics patterns, where the pioneers have shown the greatest mortality (19.9%) and recruitment (15.6%) proportion and reduced representativeness in shade-tolerant climax species. Therefore, floristic impoverishment and higher representativeness reduction of late species have been observed. We have concluded that despite disturbances do not result in structural deterioration, they have the potential to slow the succession process and cause a floristic homogenization in the area under study.

Management of Brazilian pine (Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol) Kuntze) based on the Liocourt model in a mixed ombrophilous forest in Southern Brazil

Management of Brazilian pine (Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol) Kuntze) based on the Liocourt model in a mixed ombrophilous forest in Southern Brazil

Genetic diversity and population structure of Vriesea reitzii (Bromeliaceae), a species from the Southern Brazilian Highlands.

The Southern Brazilian Highlands are composed by a mosaic of Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (MOF) and grassland formations, an interesting landscape for the study of population structure. We analyzed the genetic diversity within and among populations of the MOF-endemic bromeliad Vriesea reitzii by genotyping seven nuclear microsatellite loci in 187 individuals from six populations. We characterized levels of genetic diversity and assessed the genetic structure among populations. Vriesea reitzii populations showed high levels of genetic variation (number of alleles 28 - 43, allelic richness 3.589 - 5.531) and moderate levels of genetic differentiation (F ST = 0.123, R ST = 0.096). The high levels of genetic diversity may be explained by species life-history traits, such as habit and mating system. The moderate structure may be a product of the combination of ancient and contemporary gene flow, resulting from the expansion of the forest in the Holocene, and/or due to facilitated dispersal mediated by the MOF’s mosaic landscape. The genetic results indicated no imminent threat to this bromeliad. However, the species is highly associated with the MOF, putting landscape conservation at the center of conservation efforts for the species’ maintenance.

ATLANTIC BATS: a data set of bat communities from the Atlantic Forests of South America.

Bats are the second most diverse mammal order and they provide vital ecosystem functions (e.g., pollination, seed dispersal, and nutrient flux in caves) and services (e.g., crop pest suppression). Bats are also important vectors of infectious diseases, harboring more than 100 different virus types. In the present study, we compiled information on bat communities from the Atlantic Forests of South America, a species-rich biome that is highly threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. The ATLANTIC BATS data set comprises 135 quantitative studies carried out in 205 sites, which cover most vegetation types of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Forest: dense ombrophilous forest, mixed ombrophilous forest, semideciduous forest, deciduous forest, savanna, steppe, and open ombrophilous forest. The data set includes information on more than 90,000 captures of 98 bat species of eight families. Species richness averaged 12.1 per site, with a median value of 10 species (ranging from 1 to 53 species). Six species occurred in more than 50% of the communities: Artibeus lituratus, Carollia perspicillata, Sturnira lilium, Artibeus fimbriatus, Glossophaga soricina, and Platyrrhinus lineatus. The number of captures divided by sampling effort, a proxy for abundance, varied from 0.000001 to 0.77 individuals·h-1 ·m-2 (0.04 ± 0.007 individuals·h-1 ·m-2 ). Our data set reveals a hyper-dominance of eight species that together that comprise 80% of all captures: Platyrrhinus lineatus (2.3%), Molossus molossus (2.8%), Artibeus obscurus (3.4%), Artibeus planirostris (5.2%), Artibeus fimbriatus (7%), Sturnira lilium (14.5%), Carollia perspicillata (15.6%), and Artibeus lituratus (29.2%).

Effect of tree plantations on the functional composition of Odonata species in the highlands of southern Brazil

Changes in biodiversity have mainly been assessed using taxonomical diversity indices. Although these approaches contribute to the scientific understanding of species richness and composition patterns, trait-based metrics may be more useful for detecting responses to land use change. We used odonates as a model system to compare traits composition in mixed ombrophilous forest (MOF) and tree plantations: exotic species (Pinus sp.) and native species (Araucaria angustifolia). Our goal was to understand and compare how each vegetation type affects the selection of species traits, and which factors are responsible for the presence of the species in the environment. We recorded 36 Odonata species distributed across 14 functional groups. The functional composition varied between MOF and exotic tree plantations and was similar between these two habitats and native tree plantations. Native forest favoured specialist traits. Our results suggest that the conversion of MOF to tree plantations, especially exotic ones, results in a shift to less specialized Odonata communities with altered functional group composition. This result highlights the negative impact associated with the conversion of native forests into exotic plantations. Our results show that odonates with specialist traits are limited to natural forest sites, which makes the conservation of such areas crucial.