-(Floristic composition of the vascular epiphytes of "estreito de Augusto César", Brazilian Semi-Evergreen Forest of Uruguai River, RS, Brazil). The present study was carried out in a Brazilian Semi-Evergreen Forest, exposed to selective logging of tree species, in the "estreito de Augusto César" , RS. The survey of floristic composition of vascular epiphytes was performed in riparian forest. The species registered were classified into categories based on the relationship with the host tree and its position. Seventy species belonging to 30 genera and eight families were registered. The majority of species was classified as characteristic holoepiphyte. The highest number of species was registered on the primary branches.

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Epiphytes are hyper‐diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non‐vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer‐reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non‐vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non‐vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events.

Litter production in forest ecosystems is a major indicator of primary productivity because litter helps incorporate carbon and nutrients from plants into the soil and is directly involved in plant-soil interactions. To our knowledge, few studies have investigated the relationship between species diversity and ecosystem processes in subtropical forest fragments. In this work, we determined forest structural parameters and assessed seasonal leaf litter input, leaf decomposition rate, litter quality and soil characteristics in two subtropical Atlantic Forest fragments. Litter production was greater in the native fragment with the higher species diversity (FN1). Th e two native fragments (FN1 and FN2) diff ered in basal area, volume and dominance in the upper stratum, which were positively correlated with litter production in FN1 but negatively correlated in FN2. Soil in FN1 exhibited higher contents of organic C, available phosphorus and exchangeable calcium, and the leaf litter had a higher C:N ratio. Although these results are consistent with a plant-soil feedback, which suggests the presence of a complementary eff ect, the dominance of certain families in subtropical forest fragments results in a selection eff ect on litter productivity and decomposition.

Regeneração de espécies arbóreas e relações com componente adulto em uma fl oresta estacional no vale do rio Uruguai, Brasil RESUMO (Regeneração de espécies arbóreas e relações com componente adulto em uma fl oresta estacional no vale do rio Uruguai, Brasil). O estudo de fenômenos relacionados às variações na estrutura das comunidades vegetais tem cada vez mais envolvido a avaliação do potencial de regeneração das espécies arbóreas, uma vez que a regeneração torna as fl orestas capazes de se restaurarem após distúrbios naturais ou antrópicos. Neste sentido, objetivou-se avaliar o componente arbóreo regenerante, identifi cando composição e abundância, grupos funcionais de dispersão, estratificação vertical e necessidades de luz para germinação, além de estimativas de riqueza e diversidade e comparar estes valores com o respectivo componente adulto. O levantamento foi realizado em 20 unidades amostrais de 10 x 10 m, sendo amostrados todos os indivíduos com altura ≥ 0,30 m e diâmetro a altura do solo ≤ 4,7 cm. O levantamento do componente adulto, avaliado em estudo anterior, foi estabelecido em unidades amostrais de 20 x 20 metros, sendo amostrados todos os indivíduos com diâmetro à altura do peito ≥ 4,7 cm. Foram amostrados 1.649 indivíduos em regeneração, pertencentes a 64 espécies, com densidade total estimada em 8.245 ind.ha -1. As espécies com maior densidade absoluta foram Gymnanthes concolor Spreng., Trichilia elegans A.Juss. e Calyptranthes tricona D.Legrand. Uma análise de coordenadas principais indicou nítida separação das unidades amostrais amostradas e um teste de Mantel revelou haver independência entre as matrizes de composição e abundância dos componentes adulto e regenerante (r = 0,19; p = 0,1). Dentre os grupos funcionais, verifi cou-se que o componente regenerante está mantendo as mesmas proporções observadas para o componente adulto, com maior proporção de espécies zoocóricas, dependentes de luz para germinação e formadoras do dossel fl orestal. Ao contrário do esperado, houve diminuição da riqueza no componente regenerante (p < 0,001) e manutenção da equabilidade ao longo da área. Palavras ABSTRACT(Tree regeneration and relationships with adult trees in a seasonal forest in the Uruguai river valley, Brazil). Studies related to variation in plant communities have been involved the analysis of regenerative potential of tree species, because saplings may enable forests to restore themselves aft er natural or human disturbances. Th e goal of this study was to analyze tree regeneration by identifying composition and abundance, the ecological groups of dispersion, vertical stratifi cation and light requirements for germination and to look for changes in expected richness, diversity and relationships with structure of adult trees. A sapling survey was conducted in 20 sample units of 10 x 10 m where all individual living trees were sampled that had a height ≥ 0.30 m and diameter at soil height ≤ 4.7 cm. Adult trees with a diameter at breast height ≥ 4.7 cm were surveyed in 20 x 20 m sampling units, acc...

RESUMO(Padrões espaciais e ecológicos de espécies arbóreas refletem a estrutura em mosaicos de uma floresta subtropical). A abundância e distribuição espacial das espécies podem ser reflexos das necessidades do seu nicho ecológico, além de reflexos das variações ambientais no tempo e espaço. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram analisar a distribuição espacial e grupos ecológicos das espécies arbóreas em um remanescente de floresta subtropical e avaliar a interferência destes padrões sobre métricas de riqueza e diversidade. Os padrões espaciais foram avaliados considerando uma área amostral de 1 ha dividida em unidades amostrais contíguas de 10 x 10 m, onde todos os indivíduos com perímetro à altura do peito ≥ 15 cm foram amostrados. A descrição dos padrões foi obtida por meio de correlogramas (índice I de Moran), considerando diversas classes de distância, índices de agregação e diagramas de superfície. A co-ocorrência entre espécies foi analisada por meio de índices de associação espacial. A maioria das espécies apresentou distribuição agrupada e com autocorrelação espacial positiva, sobretudo para as menores classes de distância, indicando a formação de pequenos grupos de indivíduos. Da mesma forma, 17 espécies apresentaram associações espaciais (co--ocorrências), formando densos agrupamentos e, embora não tenham interferido sobre a riqueza específica, Casearia sylvestris e Ocotea diospyrifolia diminuíram a equabilidade em alguns setores da área. Espécies tolerantes à sombra apresentaram-se associadas, bem como, espécies dependentes de luz, indicando que a dinâmica de mosaicos pode interferir diretamente sobre a distribuição das espécies, sobretudo pela limitação de dispersão.Palavras-chave: autocorrelação espacial, correlogramas, índices de distância, limitação de dispersão, riqueza de espécies ABSTRACT (Spatial and ecological patterns of tree species reflect patch dynamics of a subtropical forest). The abundance and spatial distribution of species may reflect on niche requirements, interactions among individuals and across as time and space. In this way, the aims of this work were to analyze tree species distribution and ecological groups in a remnant of subtropical forest to evaluate the interference of such patterns over richness and diversity metrics. We evaluated the spatial patterns of a 1 ha area divided into 10 x 10 m sampling units where we surveyed all living trees with perimeter at breast height ≥ 15 cm. Pattern descriptions were obtained by using correlograms (Moran's I) over several distance classes, aggregation indices and surface diagrams. The co-occurrence among species was obtained by using spatial association indices. Furthermore, 17 species showed aggregated distribution and positive spatial autocorrelation, mainly in the shorter distance classes, which indicated the occurrence of several small groups of individuals. In addition, many species were spatially associated with dense groups and although such groups do not influence species richness, Casearia sylvestris and Ocotea diospyrifol...

RESUMO -O banco e chuva de sementes podem ser indicadores utilizados para avaliar o potencial de recuperação de uma área que sofre influência antrópica. Assim, os objetivos deste trabalho foram quantificar o número de sementes viáveis e estimar a diversidade de espécies do banco e chuva de sementes, a fim de conhecer o potencial de recuperação de uma área inserida em uma matriz agrícola. Foram instalados 40 coletores para avaliar a chuva de sementes, bem como coletadas amostras de solo, para caracterizar o banco de sementes. Na chuva de sementes, foram encontradas 2.079 sementes, pertencentes a 43 espécies, sendo as famílias Lauraceae e Fabaceae as mais representativas. No banco de sementes, germinaram 69 indivíduos pertencentes a 23 espécies, sendo a família Asteraceae a mais representativa. Observou-se elevada diversidade de espécies na chuva de sementes (H'= 2,34 nats ind -1 ), em que as sementes das espécies secundárias tardias foram as mais abundantes, enquanto no banco de sementes, as espécies pioneiras. Em conclusão, o fragmento florestal encontrava-se em estágio sucessional avançado, o que pode garantir estabilidade ao sistema diante da influência antrópica.Palavras-chave: Matriz agrícola; Estratégia de regeneração; Propágulos. SEED BANK AND SEED RAIN IN A TRANSITIONAL FOREST AREA IN THE SOUTH OF BRAZILABSTRACT -The seed bank and seed rain can be used as indicators to evaluate the recovery potential of an anthropic area. Our aims were quantify the number of viable seeds and estimate species diversity of bank and seed rain to assess the recovery potential of an area surrounded by agriculture. We installed 40 collectors to evaluate seed rain and collected soil samples for seed bank quantifications. We found 2,079 seeds in seed rain, comprising 43 species, being Lauraceae and Fabaceae the most abundant families. Seed bank was represented by 69 seeds of 23 species, predominating Asteraceae family. We observed high species diversity in seed rain (H'= 2.34 nats ind -1 ). Secondary species predominated in seed rain, while pioneer species in seed bank. In conclusion, forested area is in an advanced successional stage indicating a potential capacity of system under anthropogenic pressures.

Aim This work aimed to analyze the effectiveness of protected areas (PA) as maintainers of the fauna of benthic macroinvertebrates and the use of these in the water management of these areas. We tested the hypothesis that in streams located within the PA there will be greater abundance and diversity of organisms. Methods We collected macroinvertebrates in streams located inside and outside two PA in Southern Brazil: (Fritz Plaumann State Park, Santa Catarina, Teixeira Soares Municipal Natural Park, Rio Grande do Sul). In each stream we measured physical and chemical variables of the water. Three sub-samples of macroinvertebrates were collected on stony substrate with a Surber sampler and calculated abundance of organisms, rarefied richness, Shannon diversity and Evenness. Results The streams located in the interior of the PA presented well oxygenated waters and slightly basic pH. The electrical conductivity was higher in the external sections than the UC. We observed that rarefied richness, Shannon diversity and equitability were higher in the streams located inside the PA. PerMANOVA indicates that the composition was different between streams sections (p = 0.03) and PA (p = 0.01). Conclusions The use of organisms as bioindicators showed a potential response to the environmental integrity of streams. Thus, these organisms have potential for use by PA managers for monitoring and decision making on the maintenance of protected areas.