Siendo uno de los ecosistemas tropicales más extensos, el bosque tropical estacionalmente seco es uno de los menos estudiados. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la composición florística, estructura y biomasa arbórea del Refugio de Vida Silvestre Laquipampa, así como, describir la influencia de parámetros ambientales. Para ello, se establecieron diez transectos de 50 × 20 m. En cada transecto fueron evaluados la altura y el diámetro (≥ 10 cm) de todos los individuos arbóreos. Asimismo, se realizaron colectas botánicas y edáficas. Se aplicaron análisis de agrupamiento, fitosociológicos, multivariados y regresiones. Se registraron 263 individuos, comprendidos en 33 especies, 19 géneros y 17 familias. El área basal total fue de 11,73 m2.ha-1 y la biomasa promedio de 152,61 t.ha-1. No quedó evidenciado significativamente que la composición florística esté relacionada con las variables edáficas, sin embargo, se observó que estas variables juegan un importante rol en la comprensión de la dinámica del fragmento.
Although previous studies demonstrate declines in many large bodied species following hydropower dam installation, others suggest that some species, including the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) may return to newly created reservoir habitats. Yet, there is a lack of evidence to support such theories. Here, we analyzed the effects of a hydropower dam on giant otters using a before-after control-impact study design in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. We collected data 3 years before (2011–2012 and 2015) and after (2017–2019) dam construction, totaling 6,459 km of surveys along rivers with 43 direct sightings of giant otters. Contrary to expectations, our results revealed that giant otters did not remain nor did they return to the dam reservoir. Beyond the zone directly impacted by the dam giant otter occurrence and relative abundance declined next to sustainable-use reserves where the river was more intensely used by people. Our study showed that in the absence of active management sustainable-use reserves and low human density were not sufficient to maintain this apex-predator. Our findings suggest a need to proactively create and maintain areas with low levels of anthropogenic disturbance to enable sustainable coexistence between energy demands and biodiversity across Amazonia.
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