Floristic units and their predictors unveiled in part of the Atlantic Forest hotspot: implications for conservation planning

Abstract

We submitted tree species occurrence and geoclimatic data from 59 sites in a river basin in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil to ordination, ANOVA, and cluster analyses with the goals of investigating the causes of phytogeographic patterns and determining whether the six recognized subregions represent distinct floristic units. We found that both climate and space were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) important in the explanation of phytogeographic patterns. Floristic variations follow thermal gradients linked to elevation in both coastal and inland subregions. A gradient of precipitation seasonality was found to be related to floristic variation up to 100 km inland from the ocean. The temperature of the warmest quarter and the precipitation during the coldest quarter were the main predictors. The subregions Sandy Coastal Plain, Coastal Lowland, Coastal Highland, and Central Depression were recognized as distinct floristic units. Significant differences were not found between the Inland Highland and the Espinhaço Range, indicating that these subregions should compose a single floristic unit encompassing all interior highlands. Because of their ecological peculiarities, the ferric outcrops within the Espinhaço Range may constitute a special unit. The floristic units proposed here will provide important information for wiser conservation planning in the Atlantic Forest hotspot.

Ferns and Lycophytes from fragments of semideciduous forest in central Espírito Santo, Brazil

“…This corroborates recent insights about the biological relevance of semideciduous forest in Espírito Santo (for instance, see Abreu et al 2013;Saiter et al 2015), and reinforces arguments for the creation of parks and reserves in such a forest type (Simonelli & Fraga 2007). Given that there are only four small reserves covered by semideciduous forests across Espírito Santo (Simonelli & Fraga 2007), the Parque Estadual Cachoeira da Fumaça (ca.…”

Species Diversity, Stand Structure, and Species Distribution across a Precipitation Gradient in Tropical Forests in Myanmar

“…It has previously been shown that stand structure can be predicted by climatic factors at both the local and regional levels [8,16,48,49], while species diversity is significantly influenced by the structure and composition of forests [2]. Furthermore, the diversity and composition of forests may vary with different forest types and stages [43,[50][51][52][53].…”

Identifying priority connectivity in a tropical forest hotspot severely affected by land use changes

“…The RDB, which occupies parts of the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, with a total area of 86,715 km 2 , between latitudes 17°45’ and 21°15’ S and longitudes 39°30’ and 43°45’ W. It is an important hydrographic basin where many important economic activities are developed, such as agriculture, livestock and mining. These activities are the main cause of fragmentation in this highly diverse region (Saiter et al, 2015). The Basin is comprised between Atlantic Ocean and Espinhaço Range from east to west, Negra and Aimorés Mountain in the north limits and Caparaó Range on southeast limits.…”