Urban Forest Fragments Research Articles

Species diversity and community structure of butterfly in urban forest fragments at Lucknow, India

The survey was carried out between September 2015-August 2016 in five different localities in Lucknow like Bijli Pasi Quila, Smriti Upvan, Vanasthali Park, Butchery Ground and BSNVPG College Campus, Lucknow, 26.84’N latitude and 80.92’E longitude, is located at an elevation of 126 meters above sea level and in the plain of northern India. Its location is responsible for the diverse weather patterns and climate change. The region has tropical dry equable climate having three main seasons; cold, hot and rainy season. Temperature of the city ranges from 23.8- 45.8°C in summer and 4.6-29.7°C in winter. During the study, butterflies were collected mainly with the help of circular aerial net, which were then placed in killing jar. Killed butterflies were stored in the insect box by proper pinning them for identification. During the course of study, 30 species of butterflies, belonging to 26 genera, representing 5 families, were recorded in Lucknow. 11 Species from nymphalidae, 7 sp. pieridae, 5 sp. from lycaenidae, 3 sp. From hesperidae and 3 sp. from papilionidae were recorded in all selective sites. The butterflies observed were categorized into groups based on their relative numbers; most common >9-10, common 6-8, rare 3-5, very rare 0-2. This study is used for academic as well as applied importance.

Conversion from environmental filtering to randomness as assembly rule of ground beetle assemblages along an urbanization gradient

Urbanization fragments, isolates or eliminates natural habitats, and changes the structure and composition of assemblages living in the remaining natural fragments. Knowing assembly rules is necessary to support and/or maintain biodiversity in urban habitats. We hypothesized that forest communities in rural sites are organized by environmental filtering, but this may be changed by urbanization, and in the suburban and urban forest fragments replaced by randomly organized assemblages, influenced by the colonization of species from the surrounding matrix. Evaluating simultaneously the functional and phylogenetic relationships of co-existing species, we showed that at the rural sites, co-existing ground beetle species were functionally and phylogenetically more similar than expected by chance, indicating that environmental filtering was the likely process structuring these communities. Contrary to this, in urban and suburban sites, the co-occurring species were functionally and phylogenetically not different from the null model, indicating randomly structured assemblages. According to our findings, changes in environmental and habitat characteristics accompanied by urbanization lead to assemblages of randomly colonized species from the surrounding matrix, threatening proper ecosystem functioning. To reassemble stochastically assembled species of urban and suburban fragments to structured, properly functioning communities, appropriate management strategies are needed which simultaneously consider recreational, economic and conservation criteria.

How does landscape anthropization affect the myrmecofauna of urban forest fragments?

We evaluate whether landscape variables surrounding urban remnant forest fragments influence ant diversity and its components in urban areas. The study was conducted in six riparian forest fragments in midwestern Minas Gerais State, Brazil, by sampling epigaeic and arboreal ants. Arboreal ants respond to fragmente isolation with changes in alpha, beta and gamma diversities. Isolation likely hinders dispersion and re-colonization such that the more isolated a fragment is, the less likely that new species arrive there. On other hand, epigaeic diversity did not show any response to variables of the surroundings or fragments, probably because natural periodic floods constitute a more severe disturbance for these ants. In addition, throughout the process of urbanization, anthropogenic improvements, such as paving, that prevent the natural percolation of water, increase the flooding of riparian soil. Arboreal ant species composition responds to percentage of urban area, fragment area and distance from the urban center, while epigaeic ants respond only to fragment area and percentage of urban area. We believe that even with the loss of species diversity and anthropogenic influences on fragments within urban centers, these areas are still important for species conservation. We also suggest the development of environmental protection projects for riparian áreas within urban centers, including investments in ecological corridors connecting fragments and public policies seeking to preserve these areas.

FIRST RECORD OF Uroderma magnirostrum DAVIS, 1968 (CHIROPTERA: PHYLLOSTOMIDAE) IN THE NORTHEASTERN ATLANTIC FOREST OF BRAZIL

Uroderma magnirostrum Davis, 1968 (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) is distributed from Mexico to the southeastern coast of Brazil. Here we report the first record in the Northeastern Atlantic Forest of Brazil, based on the capture of one adult female in an urban forest fragment in the state of Paraiba. Morphological features and morphometric data of our specimen fall within the range described previously for the species. The present record extends the known species distribution ca. 450 km to the Northeast from the closest locality in Sergipe state. Uroderma magnirostrum is currently recorded in 23 localities from 15 states in Brazil, in the Amazonia, Cerrado, Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes. Additionally, our record updated the bat list of the Paraiba state to 62 bat species.

Predation of army ants by Toppin's titi monkey, Plecturocebus toppini Thomas 1914 (Primates: Pitheciidae), in an urban forest fragment in eastern Acre, Brazil.

The predation of army ants (Eciton rapax) was recorded during an observational study of the feeding behavior of a group of titi monkeys (Plecturocebus toppini) in an urban fragment of forest in Acre, Brazil. During one observed event, the group's adult female used its tail to retrieve ants, a type of behavior not observed previously in this genus. All incidents of on-forest floor foraging occurred during the dry season, when fruit was least abundant in the forest, while on other occasions, the ants were captured from tree branches and leaves. The observation of predation and ground-level foraging recorded in this study reinforce the adaptive capacity of P. toppini for survival in fragmented forests, and this was also the first record of the predation of army ants by this titi species.

Effects of fragments and landscape characteristics on the orchid bee richness (Apidae: Euglossini) in an urban matrix, southwestern Amazonia

Orchid bees are important pollinators in tropical forests. Although studies have already detected effects of habitat loss and forest fragmentation on bee assemblages, little is known about orchid bees in urban forest fragments. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of forest fragments (size and edge index) and landscape features (forest cover area and built-up area around the forest fragments, connectivity and spatial distance from the urban center) on the abundance, richness and composition of orchid bees. Male bees were attracted by odoriferous baits and collected in ten forest fragments of different sizes. In total, we collected 3166 male bees belonging to 4 genera and 38 species. The increase of the built-up area and the reduction of the forest cover area around the forest fragments decreased the abundance and richness of bees. We recorded a smaller number of bees in areas closer to the urban center. We failed to find a significant relationship between abundance/richness of bees and forest fragment area, edge index, and connectivity. We observed that the faunistic dissimilarity was positively correlated with the geographic distance between forest fragments. The forest fragments that presented greater landscape dissimilarity also presented greater faunistic dissimilarity. Our results suggest that the matrix structure around the forest fragments is an important factor that influences the Euglossini bee assemblages inside these forest fragments. Based on our results, we believed that the conservation of fragments with a larger forest cover area and smaller built-up areas around them contribute to the maintenance of the diversity of orchid bees and their pollination services.

TOPOPHILIA AND ENVIRONMENTAL VALUATION OF URBAN FOREST FRAGMENTS IN AN AMAZONIAN CITY

Abstract The factors that can influence the environmental valuation of urban forest fragments (UFFs) in two neighborhoods of the city of Manaus (AM) were assessed. The valuation data were obtained through the technique of pile sorting followed by ranking, considering 14 socioenvironmental attributes. Most of the residents (59%, N = 69) mentioned positive feelings (topophilia) regarding the conservation of the fragments in the urban landscape. The attributes associated with the ecocentric vision were those that received the highest positive values, followed by anthropocentric attributes associated with the direct non-consumptive use of environmental resources, such as “aesthetic” and “learning”. Residents who live closer tended to value the fragment more than distant residents, and the opposite occurred when there was an association between the presence of the fragment and violence and crime in the neighborhood. Among the socioeconomic variables investigated, only the time as a resident seemed to be related to the way the city residents value these forest remnants.

SOLOS FLORESTAIS EM FRAGMENTO DE FLORESTA URBANA NA MATA DE DOIS IRMÃOS, RECIFE, PERNAMBUCO, BRASIL

O remanescente florestal que compõe o Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos (PEDI) é considerado como um dos maiores fragmentos florestais urbanos do Brasil. Há relatos no Parque da ocorrência de frequentes quedas de árvores sadias em condições naturais na reserva, o que pode comprometer seu equilíbrio natural e sua função como fragmento florestal urbano. É provável que este fenômeno possa estar associado com características químicas e físicas dos solos que compõem o PEDI. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar química e fisicamente os solos do PEDI, identificando, mapeando e analisando o solo nas áreas de ocorrência de queda das árvores no locus da pesquisa. Foram mapeados 12 pontos de coleta de amostras em área representativa do PEDI. Amostras deformadas foram coletadas nas profundidades 0-0,10 m; 0,10-0,30 m; e 0,30-0,60 m e amostras não deformadas foram coletadas nas profundidades 0-0,05 m e 0,10-0,15 m. Nas amostras deformadas determinaram-se todos os atributos químicos e parte dos atributos físicos. Em amostras não deformadas determinaram-se apenas atributos físicos. Os solos do PEDI apresentaram baixa fertilidade natural. Mostraram reação ácida e com elevadas concentrações de Al3+ até 0,60 m de profundidade, que podem formar barreiras químicas que prejudicam o crescimento das raízes das plantas e podem estar causando a frequente queda de árvores no Parque. Os solos foram, em sua maioria, classificados como de textura argilosa a muito argilosa, muito permeáveis ao movimento vertical e lateral de água. Apresentaram uma elevada variabilidade na condutividade hidráulica e redução abrupta de umidade volumétrica com aplicação de pequenas tensões em camadas superficiais, além de maior retenção de água pelo Latossolo em subsuperfície. Com a finalidade de ampliar as informações e criar um banco de dados para estudos futuros, sugere–se o monitoramento das espécies mais vulneráveis à queda, além de analisar outros elementos químicos e físicos do solo do PEDI, como a abertura de perfis para compreender a dinâmica das raízes pivotantes.

Activity patterns of frugivorous phyllostomid bats in an urban fragment in southwest Amazonia, Brazil

ABSTRACT: The habitat fragmentation modifies the pattern of animal activity. This study aimed to determine the activity pattern of frugivorous bat species in an urban forest fragment in southwestern Amazonia. The study was conducted from August 2013 to September 2014 with 10 mist nets (9m x 2.5m), opened at ground level throughout all the night and totaling 64,800 m².hour/net. Two hundred and sixty-one captures of bats from 28 species were recorded. The period with the highest capture rate and species of bats was the first period of the night (until 00:00). The species with the highest incidence of catches were, in ascending order, Carollia brevicauda (Schinz, 1821), Carollia perpicillata (Linnaeus, 1758), Artibeus planirostris (Spix, 1823), and Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818). The species of Carollia had activity peaks between the first four hours after sunset; they also showed a reduction of its activities during the subsequent hours. The bats of the genus Artibeus presented a pattern of bimodal activity and they do not seem to respond to the effects of fragmentation, since the pattern of bimodal activity was described for studies in fragments and continuous forest. Thus, we suggest that Artibeus has a high adaptive plasticity, and it is able to exploit the resources offered by the environment. Meanwhile, Carollia has two peaks of activity in continuous forest areas, probably this pattern of activity may be related to the spatial distribution of the resources used by these animals.

Temporal patterns in the activity density and sex ratio of isopods (Oniscidea, Isopoda) along an urbanization gradient in Denmark

Urbanization effects on terrestrial isopod (Isopoda, Oniscidea) populations were studied in forested areas along a rural-to-urban gradient including a native beech forest, suburban and urban forest fragments in Sorø, Denmark. The seasonal activity patterns of the dominating species (Oniscus asellus, Philoscia muscorum and Porcellio scaber) indicated differences among the areas, but these patterns were idiosyncratic. There were more females than males in most areas. The seasonal patterns of males and non-gravid females were similar and often bimodal; gravid females showed markedly different, usually unimodal activity patterns. Temporal changes of sex ratios were — in each species — characterized by an early summer activity peak of males, followed by the activity peak of gravid females. We suggest that these trends might indicate a reproduction-driven surface activity of males. The small response of the three isopod species to urbanization may reflect their wide ecological tolerance as well as the “soft management” of the urban park.

The use of percentile-percentile plots to compare differences in seasonal dynamics, illustrated by the case of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) reacting to urbanisation

We suggest the use of a graphical method, involving a standardisation of the seasonal activity curves and their subsequent comparison by a percentile-percentile graph as an easy way to compare seasonal activities in arthropods. To test the suitability of the suggested method, the seasonal dynamics of three common carabid beetles, Pterostichus melanarius, Nebria brevicollis and Carabus nemoralis were compared in three habitats (rural forest, suburban and urban forest fragments) along an urbanisation gradient near Sorø, Denmark, in 2004 and 2005. Activity in urban habitats often started earlier, possibly caused by the warmer microclimate in the city centre. The comparative graphs indicated the unsuitability of the suburban habitat for N. brevicollis, and the differential suitability as overwintering habitat of the three urbanisation stages for C. nemoralis. The method seems suitable to analyse differences in seasonal activity while being more sensitive than traditional seasonal-activity graphs.

Contributions of organic matter and nutrients via leaf litter in an urban tropical dry forest fragment

The litterfall and decomposition represent the main transfer of organic matter and nutrients from the vegetation to the soil surface and determine positive trajectories in the process of rehabilitating and restoring degraded ecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contributions of organic materials and nutrients through the characterization of fine litter in an urban dry forest fragment. Litter production was monitored for one year by collecting 29 traps (0.5 m2). To evaluate leaf nutrient resorption, green leaves were collected from 5-10 individuals that represented the dominant tree species. Litter-bags (20 x 20 cm, 2 mm pore) were used for six months to evaluate the decomposition of leaf litter. Annual fine litter production was found to be 8 574 kg ha-1, with the Cordia alba species contributing the most leaf litter (1 134 kg ha-1) and nutrients (N: 6.16; P: 0.21; Ca: 4.72; Mg: 0.47; K: 1.27 kg ha-1). Decomposition rates (k constant) followed the decreasing order: C. alba (k: 4.6) > Machaerium milleflorum (k: 3.5). M. milleflorum and Albizia niopoides presented a pattern of rapid N and P release in the first 30 days, with more than 80 % and 60 % released from M. milleflorum and C. alba, respectively, by the end of the experiment. The litterfall monitoring carried out in this urban dry forest fragment revealed some important aspects of the functioning of an ecosystem as seriously threatened as the tropical dry forest. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 571-585. Epub 2018 June 01.

A new species of Stenomicra Coquillett (Diptera: Periscelididae) from the Brazilian Amazon and its life history.

A new species of Stenomicra is described for the Neotropical Region, from phytotelmata of Araceae at an urban forest fragment in the city of Manaus, state of Amazonas, Brazil. Morphological descriptions of the immatures and the adults (male and female) are provided, together with biological information on the life cycle of the species and its "host" plant.

ESTRUTURA POPULACIONAL E DISTRIBUIÇÃO ESPACIAL DE <i>Theobroma speciosum</i> Willd. Ex Spreng NO NORTE DO ESTADO DE MATO GROSSO

Entender os padrões de estrutura e distribuição espacial das espécies de árvores é fundamental para prever a variação espacial de processos sucessionais, genéticos e ecológicos de um ecossistema florestal. Neste estudo foram analisadas a estrutura populacional e a distribuição espacial de Theobroma speciosum (cacauí) em três fragmentos florestais urbanos (Parques C/E com 6,72 ha amostrados, J com 3,92 ha e Zoobotânico com 15,84 ha) em Alta Floresta e no Parque Nacional do Juruena - PNJu (com 3,2 ha amostrados) no norte do estado de Mato Grosso. Foram amostrados 323 indivíduos de Theobroma speciosum, sendo 50 no fragmento do Parque C/E (7,44 ind. ha-1), 32 no Parque J (8,16 ind.ha-1), 76 no Parque Zoobotânico (4,79 ind. ha-1 ) e 165 no PNJu (51,56 ind. ha-1). A menor densidade de indivíduos encontrada nos parques urbanos pode estar relacionada com o processo de fragmentação, visto que não houve uma relação positiva da densidade e do número de indivíduos com a área amostral. Além disso, a maior densidade foi encontrada no PNJu, que é uma unidade de conservação de floresta contínua e com nenhuma intervenção antrópica recente. Os fragmentos florestais urbanos (com exceção do Parque Zoobotânico) apresentaram uma menor quantidade de indivíduos nas classes inferiores de diâmetro (0-5 cm) e altura (0-5 m) com relação à estrutura encontrada no PNJu. Essa diferença provavelmente deve-se à menor área dos Parques C/E e J e consequentemente a um efeito de borda mais intenso que afetou a regeneração florestal. O padrão de distribuição dos indivíduos em todas as populações foi agregado. Esses resultados indicam que a espécie é susceptível à fragmentação provavelmente devido ao isolamento, pois apresenta autoincompatibilidade e uma dispersão zoocórica limitada.

Can a Non-Native Primate Be a Potential Seed Disperser? A Case Study on Saimiri sciureus in Pernambuco State, Brazil

The interaction between native fleshy-fruit plants and introduced fruit consumers contributes to the dynamics of highly fragmented environments. Such interactions can occur through pollination and seed dispersal. Here, we investigated the potential of seed dispersing by a non-native primate, the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus), in an urban Atlantic forest fragment in north-eastern Brazil. Fleshy fruits from non-native plants were preferentially exploited by the squirrel monkeys. We measured 147 seeds (width and length) from 20 of 106 faecal samples. The dispersed seeds were from five plant species (four families). We found a positive correlation between the size of seeds found in faecal samples with their availability in the habitat. Only one seed was found visually damaged after passage through the squirrel monkeys’ guts. The defecated seeds were uniformly distributed (variance to mean ratio index) in the home range of squirrel monkeys, and there was a lack of specific latrines (i.e., habitat preference for defecation). Our data provide evidence that non-native S. sciureus may in be (i) acting as a potential seed disperser of native plants in the Atlantic forest fragment, (ii) contributing to the ecological role of native frugivores, and (iii) potentially contributing to the regeneration process of the highly degraded study site.

Diversity and Abundance of Mosquitoes Inhabiting Waste Tires in a Subtropical Swamp in Urban Florida

Automobile tires discarded in urban forest fragments may be a public health hazard, as they can support a population of vector mosquitoes. However, little is known about what factors may affect mosquito abundance and diversity within waste tires in a freshwater wetland forest. This study aimed to determine whether mosquito population dynamics in this environment in Florida differed over a year due to the site of collection and variation in vegetation greenness and elevation. We constructed negative binomial regression models to determine which of these characteristics were significant (α = 0.05) in affecting mosquito count data. Our findings suggest that in this specific environment, none of the covariates scrutinized had significant impacts on modulating overall mosquito and Aedes albopictus (the dominant species) abundance; waste tire habitats in urban freshwater wetland forests may be a year-round public health hazard.

Roads limit of seed dispersal and seedling recruitment of Quercus chenii in an urban hillside forest

Paved roads in urban forests cause forest fragmentation and thus reduce animal populations, threaten dispersal and recruitment of animal-dispersed plants. Here, we tracked animal-mediated seed dispersal of Quercus chenii in the urban forest centre and near roadsides to test the effect of paved roads on seed dispersal and recruitment. We conducted experiments in a forest patch in urban areas of Wuhan, China. The forest was dominated by the focal tree species and separated by paved roads. Only two potential seed dispersal animals, one rodent (Niviventer confucianus) and one jay (Garrulus glandarius) were observed in this stand. Seeds were removed farther but not as fast in the forest centre compared to roadsides, while no differences of seed fate, dispersal direction, and seedling establishment were detected between the forest centre and roadsides, indicating the thick vegetation along roadsides provided feeding shelters for small animals. However, when compared with primary forests containing more seed dispersers, seed removal rate in this urban forest fragment was much slower in both forest centre and roadside. Furthermore, due to road barriers, seeds were seldom moved across the paved road and remained in the fragmented stand, reflecting a limited function of seed dispersers. These results suggested paved roads isolated forests into small “islands” and weakened the ecological function of seed dispersers by impeding long distance seed dispersal. Reintroducing dispersers and building wildlife corridors would be impactful ways to restore urban forest patches.

Multiflora rose invasion amplifies prevalence of Lyme disease pathogen, but not necessarily Lyme disease risk

BackgroundForests in urban landscapes differ from their rural counterparts in ways that may alter vector-borne disease dynamics. In urban forest fragments, tick-borne pathogen prevalence is not well characterized; mitigating disease risk in densely-populated urban landscapes requires understanding ecological factors that affect pathogen prevalence. We trapped blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) nymphs in urban forest fragments on the East Coast of the United States and used multiplex real-time PCR assays to quantify the prevalence of four zoonotic, tick-borne pathogens. We used Bayesian logistic regression and WAIC model selection to understand how vegetation, habitat, and landscape features of urban forests relate to the prevalence of B. burgdorferi (the causative agent of Lyme disease) among blacklegged ticks.ResultsIn the 258 nymphs tested, we detected Borrelia burgdorferi (11.2% of ticks), Borrelia miyamotoi (0.8%) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (1.9%), but we did not find Babesia microti (0%). Ticks collected from forests invaded by non-native multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) had greater B. burgdorferi infection rates (mean = 15.9%) than ticks collected from uninvaded forests (mean = 7.9%). Overall, B. burgdorferi prevalence among ticks was positively related to habitat features (e.g. coarse woody debris and total understory cover) favorable for competent reservoir host species.ConclusionsUnderstory structure provided by non-native, invasive shrubs appears to aggregate ticks and reservoir hosts, increasing opportunities for pathogen transmission. However, when we consider pathogen prevalence among nymphs in context with relative abundance of questing nymphs, invasive plants do not necessarily increase disease risk. Although pathogen prevalence is greater among ticks in invaded forests, the probability of encountering an infected tick remains greater in uninvaded forests characterized by thick litter layers, sparse understories, and relatively greater questing tick abundance in urban landscapes.

The effects of fragmentation on the genetic structure of Theobroma speciosum (Malvaceae) populations

Native Theobroma species, such as cacauhy, are losing their habitat due to the intense forest fragmentation in the Amazon region, and preserving their genetic diversity has been the main aim of many conservation programs. The aim of the present study is to assess whether fragmentation and habitat reduction affect the genetic structure and lead to genetic diversity losses in natural Theobroma speciosum populations. The study was conducted in two Mato Grosso State (Brazil) locations, namely: Apiacás and Alta Floresta counties. Juruena National Park (JNP) in Apiacás County holds a natural T. speciosum population that has not underwent anthropic influences. A population composed of individuals from three anthropized urban forest parks (UF) in Alta Floresta County was analyzed. The leaves of 75 T. speciosum individuals distributed in the urban forest fragments and of 100 individuals found in the Juruena National Park were sampled. All nine microsatellite loci showed high polymorphism levels between categories (adults and sub-adults), in both populations. The sub-adult individuals of the population (UF) in the fragmented area showed higher value (0.71), whereas the preserved population (JNP) category presented the same value (0.69). The increasing trend of estimating the fixation index towards the fragmented population was observed. The analysis of molecular variance showed 83% genetic diversity within categories; 16%, between populations; and only 1%, between categories. Although the effects were small, a persistent fragmentation process can increase the inbreeding levels and facilitate the genetic drift action. These effects may lead the T. speciosum populations to inbreeding depression, diversity loss and genetic structure change in the course of several generations.

Biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from an urban forest fragment in Central Amazon (Brazil): Effects of opening areas on abundance, richness, and composition.

We assessed the immature stages of Ceratopogonidae (Diptera) in artificial containers in an urban forest fragment in Manaus (Brazil), including their behavioral, biological and ecological information. In addition, we evaluated the effects of deforestation in an open and forested area on Ceratopogonidae communities. Immatures were sampled between August 2012 and July 2014 in artificial containers installed in both habitat types. We collected 685 immatures of seven morpho-species of Bezzia Kieffer, Culicoides Latreille, Dasyhelea Kieffer, Forcipomyia Meigen, and Palpomyia Meigen. In the open area, we recorded higher temperature and electrical conductivity values than in the forested area; however, these variables did not differ between seasons. Water volume was higher in open area and in rainy season, while pH was similar in both areas and seasons. Species richness was higher in forested area, but did not differ between seasons. We did not record differences in abundance between areas or seasons. Community composition differed between areas, but not between seasons. We provide the first records of Culicoides (Hoffmania) insignis Lutz and C. (Haematomyidium) quasiparaensis Clastrier in artificial containers from the state of Amazonas. Our results suggest that the preservation of forested areas in Amazonas is fundamental for the maintenance of the life cycle of some species of Ceratopogonidae.