Successional Classification Research Articles

Trace metals at the tree-litter-soil- interface in Brazilian Atlantic Forest plots surrounded by sources of air pollution.

Passive biomonitoring was applied in four Atlantic forest plots in southeast Brazil, affected by different levels of trace metal pollution (OP site located in Minas Gerais State and PEFI, PP and STG located in São Paulo State). Native tree species were selected as biomonitors according to their abundance in each plot and successional classification. Current trace metal concentrations in total suspended particles, leaves of non-pioneer (NPi) and pioneer (Pi) species, topsoil (0-20cm) and litter and concentration ratios at the plant/soil interface were analyzed to verify the atmosphere-plant-soil interactions, basal concentrations, spatial variations and metal accumulation at the ecosystem level. Redundant analysis helped to identify similar characteristics of metal concentrations in PP and PEFI, which can be influenced by the high concentrations of elements related to anthropogenic inputs. Analysis of variance and multivariate statistics indicated that the trees of OP presented higher concentrations of Cr, Fe, Mn and Ni than those in the other sites. High enrichment of Cd, Fe, Ni in non-pioneer plants indicated that the PP forest (initially considered as the least polluted) has still been affected by metal pollution. Soil collected in STG was enriched by all elements, however these elements were low available for plant uptake. Metal deposited in leaves and litter was an important sink for soil cycling, nevertheless, these metals are not bioavailable in most cases. Non-pioneer tree species revealed to be more appropriate than pioneer species to indicate the current panorama of the contamination and bioavailability levels of trace metals in the tree community-litter-soil interface of the Atlantic forest remnants included in this study.

Stem and leaf functional traits allow successional classification in six pioneer and non-pioneer tree species in Tropical Moist Broadleaved Forests

More than half of the tropical forests are secondary forests that are undergoing a highly dynamic interplay of forest succession of uncertain outcome. Vegetation models can help predict forest trajectory but require simplifying the high biodiversity of these forests into a few distinct classes of functional or successional groups. The classification of tree species by successional groups has traditionally relied on qualitative criteria such as life span, or on parameters that are difficult to measure on mature trees in the field, like photosynthetic activity, in particular in tropical forests. Hence, quantitative traits that can be easily measured in a number of species may provide more accurate classification thresholds. The present study identifies quantitative anatomical and biochemical traits of leaf and stem of six species that are useful for classification of successional groups in the Tropical Moist Broadleaved Forest (TMBF) of south-eastern Brazil. Consistent with assumed fast growth and high light requirements of pioneers the investigated pioneer species presented higher stem glucose content (600%), larger vessel elements (162%), greater stomatal density (72%) and higher chloroplastic pigments concentrations (90%) than non-pioneer species. By contrast, non-pioneers were characterized by larger mesophyll cells (70%) and higher cell wall polymers concentrations (65–100%) in leaf and stem. The biggest differences between pioneer and non-pioneer species were observed in leaf blade thickness, followed by vessel lumen diameter, and stem lignin. We provide research laboratories a variety of different tools that they can use as a guideline to accurately assess the successional class of tree species in the TMBF of south-eastern Brazil.

Structure and Successional Classification of the Shrub-Arboreal Component in a Remnant of Atlantic Forest, Northeastern Brazil

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the structure and successional classification of component shrub-arboreal in the edge and interior environments in a remnant of Tropical Forest in Pernambuco, Brazil.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in a remnant of the Lowland Ombrophilous Dense Forest categorized as Urban Forest Reserve named Mata of Manassu, with an area approximately 264.24 ha and located in Jaboatao dos Guararapes, Pernambuco. The data were registered between March 2017 and September 2017.
 Methodology: The data were collected in 40 100 m2 plots, 20 plots in each environment: edge and forest interior. The ‘‘edge’’ was considered to comprise a 100-m strip at the border of the forest and the ‘‘interior’’ at least 300 m in from this strip. In all plots, were cataloged, identified and measured the circumferences at height of the base at 30 cm from the soil of all shrub-arboreal individuals whose height were equal or greater than 1.0 meter and circumference at breast height at 1.30 m of soil, less than 15.0 cm. For the communities on the edge and forest interior were estimated: total density (TD), absolute density (AD), relative density (RD), total frequency (TF), absolute frequency (AF), relative frequency (RF), total dominance (TDo), absolute dominance (ADo), relative dominance (RDo), relative natural regeneration by height class (RNRij), total natural regeneration by height class (TNR), importance value index (IVI) and was performed the distribution analysis of individuals in three height classes using the Chi-square test with 95% significance. The sampled individuals were classified into family, genus, and species, and the species classified for the successional group (pioneers, initial secondary, late secondary or uncharacterized).
 Results: The environment of the edge showed the highest absolute density (10.240 ind.haˉ¹) to the forest interior (9.805 ind.haˉ¹). In both environments, it was found the high representativity of initial and late secondary species. The structural distributions of individuals by height class at the edge and interior environments showed curves shaped as inverted "J" indicating "dynamic balance" of the forest.
 Conclusion: The higher representativity of initial and late secondary species probably is due to the forest being in an advanced successional stage, having a structure with well-defined stratum. Among the shrub-arboreal species sampled which presented higher total natural regeneration per height class to both in the edge and forest interior and that can be used for the enrichment of areas in the recovery process of Atlantic Forest are Miconia prasina e Eschweilera ovata.

Assessing the sensitivity of biodiversity indices used to inform fire management

Abstract Biodiversity indices are widely used to summarize changes in the distribution and abundance of multiple species and measure progress towards management targets. However, the sensitivity of biodiversity indices to the data, landscape classification and conservation values underpinning them are rarely interrogated. There are limited studies to help scientists and land managers use biodiversity indices in the presence of fire and vegetation succession. The geometric mean of species' relative abundance or occurrence (G) is a biodiversity index that can be used to determine the mix of post‐fire vegetation that maximizes biodiversity. We explored the sensitivity of G to (1) type of biodiversity data, (2) representation of ecosystem states, (3) expression of conservation values, and (4) uncertainty in species' response to landscape structure. Our case study is an area of fire‐prone woodland in southern Australia where G is used in fire management planning. We analysed three datasets to determine the fire responses of 170 bird, mammal and reptile species. G and fire management targets were sensitive to the species included in the analysis. The optimal mix of vegetation successional states for threatened birds was more narrowly defined than the optimal mix for all species combined. G was less sensitive to successional classification (i.e. number of states); although classifications of increasing complexity provided additional insights into desirable levels of heterogeneity. Weighting species by conservation status or endemism influenced the mix of vegetation states that maximized biodiversity. When a higher value was placed on threatened species the importance of late successional vegetation was emphasized. Representing variation in individual species' response to vegetation structure made it clearer when a decrease in G was likely to reflect a significant reduction in species occurrences. Synthesis and applications. Data, models and conservation values can be combined using biodiversity indices to make robust environmental decisions. Combining different types of biodiversity data using composite indices, such as the geometric mean, can improve the coverage and relevance of biodiversity indices. We recommend that evaluation of biodiversity indices for fire management verify how index assumptions align with management objectives, consider the relative merits of different types of biodiversity data, test sensitivity of ecosystem state definitions and incorporate conservation values through species weightings.

Potencial regenerativo de espécies arbóreas em fragmento de Mata Atlântica, Pernambuco, Brasil

Objetivou-se caracterizar o estrato regenerante de um fragmento de Floresta Ombrófila Densa das Terras Baixas, mediante avaliações da riqueza, estrutura e diversidade. Para estimar os índices de regeneração natural por espécie para cada classe de tamanho de planta (RNC), visando à obtenção do índice de regeneração natural total (RNT), foram alocadas, 40 parcelas de 25 m² (5 m x 5 m). A análise foi realizada com indivíduos que apresentaram CAP < 15,0 cm e altura igual ou superior a 1,0 m. As classes de alturas foram pré-determinadas, em que: C1 = 1,0 m-2,0 m; C2 = 2,1 m-3,0 m; C3 = > 3,0 m. Foram amostrados 1.197 indivíduos distribuídos em 81 espécies, 31 famílias e 51 gêneros. A família Fabaceae obteve maior riqueza, seguida por Melastomataceae e Myrtaceae. A espécie Protium heptaphyllum destacou-se com o maior Valor de Importância (VI), apresentando 14,64% do total de VI. As espécies que apresentaram os maiores RNTs foram: Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand, Thyrsodium spruceanum Benth., Eschweilera ovata (Cambess.) Miers e Brosimum guianense (Aubl.) Huber. Em relação à classificação sucessional, houve predominância das espécies de início de sucessão, comprovando a condição jovem da floresta. Os resultados mostram que o fragmento estudado apresenta boa capacidade de regeneração possibilitando maior riqueza e diversidade de espécies do estrato arbóreo adulto à longo prazo.

Key leaf traits indicative of photosynthetic plasticity in tropical tree species

The main achievement of this work was an attempt to determine the best association between five tropical species and light environments, based on the physiological and morphological characters related to photosynthesis. Information about light tolerance and photosynthetic plasticity of indigenous tropical tree species is still limited, particularly information of first years of plants’ development. In this study, we evaluated the adjustments in response to different light environments of 25 leaf traits most commonly assessed in studies on light acclimation of photosynthesis in current literature. This evaluation was used to investigate the photosynthetic plasticity on young plants of five tropical tree species belonged to different successional groups. All the species are commonly used in forest restoration programs in Brazil. Plants were grown for 6 months under different light conditions simulating environments that could exist due to variation in naturally occurring canopy openings of secondary tropical forests. The level of adjustment on leaf traits to environmental conditions was calculated via a plasticity index. The relation between leaf trait adjustments and species photosynthetic plasticity was investigated by multivariate Biplot analyses. We selected the seven most explicative leaf traits of the photosynthetic plasticity of the studied species in response to different light environments: dark respiration rate (R d), Rubisco carboxylation capacity (V cmax), total chlorophyll content (ChlT), contribution of spongy parenchyma (%SP), contribution of leaf collenchyma tissue (%C), chlorophyll parenchyma thickness (PP/SP) and specific leaf area (SLA). Based on the selected traits, we identified the traits most related to high plasticity (V cmax, PP/SP, %SP, %C and SLA) and low plasticity (V cmax, R d and ChlT) and grouped species into three different patterns of photosynthetic plasticity. Our plasticity grouping was not correlated with species successional classification, indicating the importance of including physiological features related to light tolerance in species successional classifications. This work provides complementing information to traditional species successional groupings and to our current ability to select species for enrichment planting on restoration efforts.

Florística, classificação sucessional e síndromes de dispersão em um remanescente de Floresta Atlântica, Moreno-PE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the floristic, the successional classification and the dispersion syndromes of the arboreal component in an Atlantic Forest remnant. The area is located in Engenho e DestilariaDourado in Moreno, Pernambuco, Brazil. Fifteen plots of 10 x 25 m for the adult component (CBH ? 15 cm) and 15subplots of 1 x 25 m for the regeneration (CBH < 15 cm and H > 1 m) were located. The sampled individuals were classified into family, genus and specie, and the species classified for the succecional group (pioneers, early secondary and late secondary) and the dispersion syndrome (anemocorous, autochorous and zoochorous). Four hundred and forty-four adult individuals and 407 regenerants, belonging to 31 families, 47 genera and76 species, were sampled. The families with the highest species richness were Melastomataceae and Myrtaceae. This fragment is in early succession, since 82% of the species are pioneers or early secondary. The dispersion predominant was the zoochorous. The knowledge of the species presents in these areas, as well as the succession stage and the dispersion syndrome, is of utmost importance in the development of conservation and restoration intervention of these areas in the Atlantic Forest.

Florística e sucessão ecológica da vegetação arbórea em área de nascente de um fragmento de mata atlântica, Pernambuco

This paper aims to characterize the floristic composition of the arboreal stratum in a spring area and to classify the species into their respective ecological groups. The study was developed in the surrounding of the spring of Córrego do Campo, located in Engenho Buranhém, belonging to Usina Trapiche S/A, in Sirinhaém, PE, Brazil. The floristic survey was carried out between September 2008 and November 2009. For its development, 10 plots with 10x25m placed in radius in the target area and distributed in a systematic form in 5 lines (2 plots per line), separated by an angle of 45°, were used. Regarding the ecological groups, the species were classified as pioneers, initial secondary, late secondary and without characterization. 309 individuals, belonging to 27 botanical families, 46 genders and 58 species were sampled. From these species, six were identified only at gender level, three at family level and one was not identified. In relation to the successional classification, the species in the beginning of the succession showed a larger number of individuals, presenting characteristics of a forest in an initial state in the successional development. The diameter distribution follows a negative exponential function with greaterindividuals frequency in smaller diameter classes, demonstrating characteristics of a initial regeneration state.

Análise estrutural e considerações sobre a dinâmica sucessional de dois fragmentos florestais semideciduais do Jardim Botânico Municipal de Bauru, SP, Brasil

Parâmetros fitossociológicos, como freqüência de classes de altura e de diâmetro, são muito utilizados em inferências sobre sucessão secundária em fitocenoses. Indivíduos abustivo-arbóreos com no mínimo 1,5 m de altura e fuste a 1,3 m, foram amostrados em 2.600 m² de floresta estacional semidecidual do Jardim Botânico Municipal de Bauru (JBMB). Informações sobre as freqüências de classes de diâmetro das cinco espécies com maior índice de valor de importância (Ocotea pulchella, Protium heptaphyllum, Copaifera langsdorffii, Platypodium elegans e Trichilia pallida) e a classificação sucessional das populações mais numerosas também foram analisadas para inferências sobre as características sucessionais da comunidade estudada. As freqüências de classes de diâmetro de Vochysia tucanorum, espécie típica de savana, também foi estudada. As informações obtidas permitiram considerar que a floresta do JBMB encontra-se em estádio sucessional intermediário, e que, embora tenha sofrido com a ação do fogo no passado, algumas dessas populações estão conseguindo renovar-se.

Estrutura fitossociológica e classificação sucessional do componente arbóreo em um fragmento de floresta atlântica em Igarassu – Pernambuco

This work aimed to analyze the phytossociological structure and successional classification and to identify the level of occupation of lianas in a fragment of a Dense Arborous Forest, Igarassu – PE, with an area of 48.84 hectares. It was divided into 40 plots of 10 x 25 meters (10.000 m2), individuals withCAP ? 10 cm were sampled and heights estimated with a height pruning scissors with 2 meter modules. In the area 99 species were identified, distributed in 42 families, totaling 1,793 individuals. As for successional classification, the majority of the species is at pioneering and initial secondary, suggestingthat the area is in initial succession. The families Myrtaceae and Mimosaceae contributed in large number of species (24). The most numerous families were Lecythidaceae, Anacardiaceae and Araliaceae (635 individuals). Tapirira guianensis Aubl., Eschweilera ovata (Cambess.) Miers, Schefflera morototoni(Aubl.) Maguire, Steyerm. & Frodin, Dialium guianense (Aubl.) Sandwith, Byrsonima sericea DC., Inga thibaudiana Benth., Thyrsodium spruceanum Benth., Cupania racemosa Mart., Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth. e Miconia prasina (Sw.) DC are the species that can be highlighted. The Shannon – Wiener (H’)diversity rate of 3,685 nats/ind. is inside the patterns found among studies carried out in Pernambuco. The majority of individuals do not present infestation for Lianas.

CARACTERIZAÇÃO FLORÍSTICA DA VEGETAÇÃO LENHOSA DE UM FRAGMENTO URBANO DE FLORESTA OMBRÓFILA MISTA ALTO MONTANA, CAMPOS DO JORDÃO, SP

Foram realizados o levantamento florístico e a classificação em grupos de síndromes de dispersão e de sucessão ecológica das espécies lenhosas ocorrentes em um fragmento florestal de 1,14ha, localizado em de Campos do Jordão, SP. O levantamento florístico registrou 54 espécies lenhosas pertencentes a 43 gêneros de 33 famílias ocorrente na borda, no interior e em ambos os hábitats do remanescente
 florestal. Prevaleceu uma maior proporção de espécies zoocóricas (31,4%), ocorrendo espécies anemocóricas (23,5%) e autocóricas (3,9%), indicando uma proporção
 comum às florestas tropicais. A classificação sucessional indicou o predomínio de espécies secundárias (44%), seguido pelas pioneiras (18%), além de diversas espécies sem caracterização (38%) devido à carência de informações a respeito de suas estratégias de regeneração. Possivelmente os impactos negativos do processo de fragmentação atuante na região foram, provavelmente, os fatores determinantes para o empobrecimento florístico e a descaracterização de sua fitofisionomia original de Floresta Ombrófila Mista Alto Montana que se encontra em estágio intermediário de
 regeneração. Apesar do baixo número de espécies registradas na área, esse fragmento pode ser de grande importância para a sustentabilidade dos remanescentes vizinhos se comprovado seu papel na conectividade funcional da paisagem. Nesse remanescente florestal, ainda podem ser encontradas espécies arbustivas e arbóreas comuns às
 formações florestais estacionais e mistas de altitude, que demonstram sua função de manutenção da ameaçada biodiversidade regional.

DINÂMICA SUCESSIONAL DA FLORESTA MESÓFILA SEMIDECÍDUA EM PIRACICABA (SP)

Normal 0 21 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabela normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} In this study, a phytosociological survey of an area in a semi deciduous mesophyll forest was performed with an analysis of its structure and characterization of the species successional stages, Individuals with stern equal or superior to 5 cm of circumference at breast height were considered, through 38 sample plots of 10 X 20 cm. The 3757 individuals were sampled named the frequency distribution for height and diameter confirmed the concentration of individuals in the lower classes. In relation to spatial distribution of species, 6 species presented aggregated distribution, 1 species showed tendency to be also aggregated, 1 species showed tendency to uniformity and 2 presented a uniformity. The successional classification of the species indicated 26% of the species were in the pioneer group, 28% of the species were in the secondary group, and 46% were included in the late secondary/climax species group. In relation to dispersal syndromes, 16% of the species are autochoric, 62% of the species are zoochoric, and 22% of the species are anemochoric.

THE VEGETATION OF A SEASONAL VÁRZEA FOREST IN THE LOWER SOLIMÕES RIVER, BRAZILIAN AMAZONIA

The species composition of the seasonal várzea forest growing on a bank of the Ilha de Marchantaria / lower Solimões-Amazonas River, Brazil was studied in an area of slightly less than one hectare. Two biomass plots were harvested. Forty-seven arboreal species representing 46 genera in 25 families were recorded. Tree density was 1086 per hectare. Total basal area was 45 m2 ha1. Mean species density was 6.5 ± 1.98 per 100 m2. The most abundant species were Crataeva benthamii(Capparidaceae), Laetia corymbutosa(Flacourtiaceae) and Vitex cymosa(Verbenaceae). The highest basal area per species was 10.2 m2 for Pseudobombax munguba(Bombacaceae). The common species are known to be typical floristic elements of the seasonal varzea forest. Above ground dry biomass was equal to 97 and 255 t ha', respectively. Its chemical composition is characterized by comparatively high bioelement contents equal to 2.4 percent on the average. Calcium was the most important bioelement. Structure of the forest and age darings of trees allow the successional classification of the stands.

A plant succession gradient in a big sagebrush/grass ecosystem

Rangeland vegetation in the Great Basin of the United States is found in several seral stages depending upon gradients related to distance from water and grazing differences across fencelines. Detailed documentation of vegetation changes was attempted on a representative vegetation type in northern Nevada using a chronosequence approach. Frequency of occurrence appeared to be the vegetation attribute most clearly expressing an axis of change or differences across the site. Soil profile descriptions and soil analyses helped relate plant community changes to abiotic variation. Species, microtopography and soil surface characteristics varied with seral stage. Pattern analysis proved useful for relating vegetation changes to successional stages. Computer-based classification (TWINSPAN) and ordination (DECORANA) techniques defined a successional gradient that differed from a theoretical or assumed successional classification.

Plant Community Distribution and Dynamics in Bryce Canyon National Park

The research status for the first year is presented under the following objectives: 1. To integrate the existing information on plant communities of Bryce Canyon National Park into the proposed research; 2. To determine the appropriate level of detail for implementation of the successional classification, and to prepare a preliminary community type classification; 3. To determine the suitability of draft SCS Ecological Site Types as non-forest habitat types; 4. To begin collection of field data necessary for development of the proposed vegetation classifications; 5. To collect sufficient ground truth for creation of an extrapolative mapping system to map large areas of the Park; and 6. To identify and characterize the distributions of rare or endangered plants within the Park.

Successional Classification of Plants on a Desert Grassland Site in Arizona

Successional Classification of Plants on a Desert Grassland Site in Arizona