Forest fragmentation creates forest edges, and the effect of those edges increases as the size of forest fragments decreases. Edge effects include changes to microclimatic conditions at the forest edge, which affect vegetation structure. No previous studies have directly tested the relationship between microclimate and vegetation structure (for instance, basal area, trees mean height, dead trees and damage trees) at the edge of forest fragments in the Atlantic Forest domain. We tested the following three hypotheses: (i) the microclimatic conditions differ between the edge and the interior of the forest, (ii) the forest structure differs between the edge and the interior of the forest and (iii) changes to microclimatic conditions at the forest edge negatively affect vegetation structure at the edges. Our results demonstrate that edge habitats are significantly more susceptible to strong winds, lower humidity and higher air temperatures than forest interiors. The Communicated by Jefferson Prado, Pedro V. Eisenlohr and Ary T. de Oliveira-Filho.Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (microclimate may be considered the principal factor that explains the difference between the vegetation structure of the forest edge and the forest interior. Our results suggest that even large forest fragments in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest may be impacted by negative edge effects.

Purpose In the literature, 65 years is commonly used as the age to designate an older person in the community. When studying older prisoners, there is much variation. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how researchers define older offenders and for what reasons. Design/methodology/approach The authors reviewed articles on health and well-being of older offenders to assess terminology used to describe this age group, the chosen age cut-offs distinguishing younger offenders from older offenders, the arguments provided to support this choice as well as the empirical base cited in this context. Findings The findings show that the age cut-off of 50 years and the term “older” were most frequently used by researchers in the field. The authors find eight main arguments given to underscore the use of specific age cut-offs delineating older offenders. They outline the reasoning provided for each argument and evaluate it for its use to define older offenders. Originality/value With this review, it is hoped to stimulate the much-needed discussion advancing towards a uniform definition of the older offender. Such a uniform definition would make future research more comparable and ensure that there is no ambiguity when researchers state that the study population is “older offenders”.

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Aim Tall and structurally complex forests can provide ample habitat and niche space for climbing plants, supporting high liana species richness. We test to what extent canopy height (as a proxy of 3‐D habitat structure), climate and soil interact to determine species richness in the largest clade of Neotropical lianas. We expect that the effect of canopy height on species richness is higher for lianas from closed tropical rain forests compared to riparian and savanna habitats. Location Neotropics. Time period Present. Major taxa studied Tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae). Methods We used structural equation models to evaluate direct and indirect effects of canopy height, climate (temperature, precipitation and precipitation seasonality), and soil (cation exchange capacity and soil types) on overall Bignonieae species richness (339 liana species), as well as on species richness of lianas from forest, riparian and savanna habitats, respectively. We further performed multiple regression models with Moran's eigenvector maps to account for spatial autocorrelation. Results Canopy height was a key driver of liana species richness, in addition to climate and soil. Species richness of forest lianas showed a strong positive relationship with canopy height whereas the relationship was less pronounced for riparian species. Richness of savanna species decreased with increasing canopy height. Climate also explained a substantial proportion of variation in liana species richness whereas soil variables showed little explanatory power. Main conclusions The relationship between canopy height and liana species richness differs among habitats. While forest and riparian lianas benefit from tall and complex habitats that provide physical support to reach the canopy to escape low light availability in the understorey, high light availability in open habitats and an increased risk of embolism of conductive vessels for lianas with long stems living in areas with high seasonality might explain the inverse relationship between species richness and canopy height in savannas.

This study presents the list of species of Evergreen Rainforest in Santa Catarina, based on 202 sample units established by the Floristic and Forest Inventory of Santa Catarina, in order to study the tree/shrub component and regeneration in addition to a floristic survey outside the sample units. We recorded 1,473 species: three gymnosperms and 1,470 angiosperms, that totalize 19% of all species quoted for this Brazilian forest type. The most species-rich families were Orchidaceae (143 species), Myrtaceae (142), Asteraceae (98), Melastomataceae (86), Fabaceae (78), Rubiaceae (65), Solanaceae (61), Bromeliaceae (57), Piperaceae (56), and Lauraceae (52). Among them are eight species listed in the Official List of Endangered Species of the Brazilian Flora: Aechmea blumenavii, Araucaria angustifolia, Billbergia alfonsijoannis, Euterpe edulis, Heliconia farinosa, Ocotea catharinensis, O. odorifera and, O. porosa. ResumoO presente trabalho objetivou apresentar a lista de espécies da floresta pluvial subtropical (Floresta Ombrófila Densa) em Santa Catarina, com base em 202 unidades amostrais implantadas pelo Inventário Florístico Florestal de Santa Catarina para estudo do componente arbóreo-arbustivo e da regeneração, além de coletas florísticas externas às unidades amostrais. Foram registradas 1.473espécies, 19,0% das espécies citadas para esta tipologia florestal no Brasil, dentre estas três gimnospermas e 1.470 angiospermas. As famílias mais ricas em espécies foram: Orchidaceae (143 espécies), Myrtaceae (142), Asteraceae (98), Melastomataceae (86), Fabaceae (78), Rubiaceae (65), Solanaceae (61), Bromeliaceae (57), Piperaceae (56) e Lauraceae (52). Entre as espécies registradas, oito constam na Lista Oficial das Espécies da Flora Brasileira Ameaçadas de

RESUMOO presente trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar os remanescentes da Floresta Ombrófila Densa, no estado de Santa Catarina. O conjunto de dados utilizado neste estudo foi disponibilizado pelo projeto Inventário Florístico Florestal de Santa Catarina, sendo oriundo de 197 unidades amostrais do tipo conglomerado. Os conglomerados foram constituídos por quatro subunidades de 20 x 50 m, nas quais foram mensurados todos os indivíduos arbóreo-arbustivos com DAP ≥ 10 cm. A estrutura da floresta foi caracterizada com o emprego de parâmetros e índices fitossociológicos. Com base na densidade das espécies, foram realizadas análises de agrupamento e ordenação na tentativa de identificar grupos de bacias hidrográficas e faixas de altitude. Foram encontradas 577 espécies, pertencentes a 226 gêneros e 83 famílias. As famílias mais representativas em número de espécies e indivíduos foram Myrtaceae, Lauraceae e Fabaceae. Espécies de áreas perturbadas como Alchornea triplinervia, Caseria sylvestris e Miconia cinnamomifolia estão dentre as que dominam a floresta. Por meio da análise de agrupamento, foi possível identificar três formações ao longo do gradiente altitudinal, aqui denominadas: Floresta Ombrófila Densa de Terras Baixas (< 30 m), Submontana (30 -500 m) e Montana (> 500 m). Variações florísticas e estruturais puderam ser detectadas entre as três formações. Em comunidades das terras baixas, a presença das famílias Anacardiaceae e Clusiaceae foi mais expressiva e a altura média das árvores foi superior. Nos ambientes montanos, observou-se um aumento no número de indivíduos, área basal e diversidade, além da maior representatividade das famílias Cyatheaceae, Lauraceae e Rubiaceae. A ocorrência de Arecaceae foi marcante nos patamares submontanos. Grupos espaciais não puderam ser seguramente definidos a partir de dados estruturais de bacias hidrográficas. Palavras-chave: Floresta Atlântica; fitossociologia; padrões espaciais; gradiente altitudinal. ABSTRACTThis study aimed to characterize the remnants of Ombrophilous Dense Forest in Santa Catarina state. The dataset used in this study was provided by Project of Floristic and Forest Inventory of Santa Catarina, coming from 197 sample units that consist of basic clusters. The basic cluster was composed of four

-(Trails and their ecological role: what have we learned and what are the prospects for restoration of ecosystems?). We aimed at reviewing the ecological role of the trails and inserting this theme into restoration ecology projects. For a comprehensive understanding of this ecological role, we addressed the applicability of trails to Environmental Education (EE) projects and their impacts on vegetation. We showed that trails are suitable places to practice EE programs. On the other hand, we point out a number of potential concerns arising from the use and opening of trails as, for example, soil compaction and changes in the composition, structure, and diversity of adjacent vegetation. Hence, we indicate that trails can be addressed in restoration projects of ecosystems. We conclude by suggesting some questions that can guide future works on trails and vegetation, including their connections with restoration ecology. Keywords: Environmental Education, forest fragmentation, human impacts, soil compaction, species diversity RESUMO -(Trilhas e seu papel ecológico: o que temos aprendido e quais as perspectivas para a restauração de ecossistemas?). Nosso objetivo foi revisar o papel ecológico das trilhas e inserir essa temática nos projetos de restauração ecológica. Para uma compreensão abrangente desse papel ecológico, abordamos tanto as possíveis aplicações das trilhas para projetos de Educação Ambiental (EA) quanto seus impactos sobre a vegetação. Mostramos que as trilhas ecológicas constituem espaços adequados para a prática de programas de EA. Por outro lado, apontamos uma série de potenciais problemas advindos da abertura e utilização de trilhas, como, por exemplo, compactação do solo e alterações na composição, estrutura e diversidade da vegetação adjacente, para então indicarmos que é possível abordar as trilhas nos projetos de restauração de ecossistemas. Concluímos sugerindo algumas perguntas que poderão nortear os futuros trabalhos sobre trilhas e vegetação, incluindo suas conexões com a restauração ecológica. Palavras-chave: compactação do solo, diversidade de espécies, Educação Ambiental, fragmentação florestal, impactos antrópicos

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