Afforestation effects on vegetation structure and diversity of grasslands in southern Brazil: The first years

Souza, Alexandre F.; Ramos, Nadiane Pillatt; Pizo, Marco Aurélio; Hübel, Ingo; Crossetti, Luciane Oliveira

doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2012.10.002

Cited by 23 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Similar to other research, we found that vegetation community composition was affected by afforestation (e.g., Souza et al 2013). Plant community composition is heavily influenced by previous land-use history (Ito et al 2004, Baum et Fig.…”

Section: Total Richness and Compositionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Vegetation dynamics in a novel ecosystem: agroforestry effects on grassland vegetation in Uruguay

2014

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Abstract. Human activities have resulted in novel ecosystems around the globe, but many of these ecosystems are poorly understood, particularly when multiple disturbances interact to create novel combinations of species. The Campos ecoregion of South America is one of the most extensive grasslands globally, yet is unique in the fact that there has been little historical evidence of herbivory or fire that traditionally maintain grassland ecosystems. Livestock were introduced several centuries ago, and afforestation began several decades ago. Introducing afforestation to an already grazed system can further alter light conditions, soil characteristics, and moisture regimes, which may result in decreased species richness, increased plant species introductions, and altered abundances of grasses, herbs, and woody species. We examined agroforestry management cycle effects on vegetation species richness, frequency, and composition in Eucalyptus grandis plantations, studying five phases of the management cycle (grassland, young forest, mid-stage forest, old forest, and post-harvest). At each of 25 sites, we recorded species presence in 40 quadrats (1 m 2 ) and categorized species by origin (native or introduced) and life form (annual graminoid, annual herb, perennial graminoid, perennial herb, woody, or fern). Impacts on species richness and composition were greatest in mid-stage forests. The proportion of introduced species did not differ by management phase. Life form categories responded strongly but differently to management phases. Our research suggests that afforestation initially reduces vegetation richness and alters composition from that in grasslands, although there is considerable recovery following thinning and tree harvest. Factors that enhance recovery in this system include the presence of disturbance-adapted vegetation, proximity to remnant grassland patches, and the short rotation cycles of plantation forests. Further research is needed to understand the effects of multiple rotations, effects of afforestation on taxa other than plants, and consequences of landscape fragmentation across the Campos. While our research suggests that afforestation has created a novel ecosystem that is a variant of the system that evolved under long-term grazing, the extent to which this new condition will evolve over time with the continued presence of grazing and repeated forest management cycles remains unknown.

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Section: Total Richness and Compositionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Vegetation dynamics in a novel ecosystem: agroforestry effects on grassland vegetation in Uruguay

2014

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“…Further, afforestation around the grasslands, as well as the establishment of shrubs in the absence of management, have been shown to have marked consequences for microclimatic conditions, i.e. reduced radiation, air temperature, connectivity between fragments and wind speed, affecting composition and biodiversity (Saraiva & Souza 2012;Souza et al 2013). These effects act in synergy and lead to decreased species richness with plantation age after grassland around afforestation (Bremer & Farley 2010).…”

Section: Grasslands In Preservation Areas Without Effective Managemenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation of species-rich subtropical grasslands: traditional management vs. legal conservation requirements in primary and secondary grasslands

2020

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Land-use change is the main cause of biodiversity losses, and for grasslands includes changes in management. The last 10 years has seen afforestation of traditionally grazed grasslands increase considerably in the understudied Serra do Sudeste region of the Brazilian Pampa, turning the region into a mosaic of tree plantations, natural ecosystems (partly in conservation areas without grazing management) and other land uses. We evaluated grassland plant community structure and composition in conservation areas considering two distinct types of land-use history and compared them to grasslands under traditional management. The study was carried out at 58 sites. Per site, three plots were established to sample the plant composition of the herbaceous and shrub layers. We used ordination techniques and indicator species analysis to describe patterns of community composition. We recorded a total of 516 species, thus confirming the high biodiversity of the region. We detected differences in vegetation structure and composition between primary and secondary grasslands. Our study emphasizes the need to increase conservation efforts in the region and points out that current conservation approaches should be evaluated critically regarding their effects for biodiversity conservation and that adequate grazing management is key for grassland biodiversity conservation.

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“…Revegetation of grassland is increasing rapidly in many parts of the world, and has attracted current scientific interest for its contribution to mitigating emissions of carbon dioxide, controlling soil erosion, restoring degraded land, and potential impacts on ecosystem function and long-term sustainability (Jackson et al 2002;Makitalo et al 2010;Don et al 2011;Principe et al 2015;Buendia et al 2016). The transition from grassland to tree and (or) shrub plantation modifies the quantity and quality of above-and belowground biomasses, soil organic matter content, vegetation structure, microclimate conditions, and soil nutrient cycles (Céspedes-Payret et al 2012;Souza et al 2013). Altered pools and cycles of soil nutrients in turn can affect biomass production and ecosystem functioning.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of soil nutrients under and outside tree/shrub canopies on a revegetated loessial slope

2017

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Studies of soil nutrients in revegetated land have often not provided the sampling positions on a scale of individual trees and shrubs, suggesting that nutrients were assumed to not vary substantially at fine scales. This assumption, however, conflicts with the "fertile island" theory for arid and semi-arid areas. We assessed the importance of sampling position on nutrient contents in 0-100 cm soil profiles by examining differences between soils under and outside the canopies of Armeniaca sibirica and Caragana korshinskii on a slope on the Loess Plateau, China. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus, ammonium N, and extractable P did not differ significantly under and outside the canopies, except for nitrate N (NO 3 −-N). The differences between these two canopy positions were significantly larger for C. korshinskii than A. sibirica for TP, significantly larger on upper than middle and lower slope sections for TN and NO 3 −-N. The NO 3 −-N content varied with sampling position around individual trees and shrubs, and trail tests about sampling position can be conducted around individual leguminous plants, in flatter areas, and in topsoil.

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Afforestation effects on vegetation structure and diversity of grasslands in southern Brazil: The first years

Cited by 23 publications

References 32 publications

Vegetation dynamics in a novel ecosystem: agroforestry effects on grassland vegetation in Uruguay

Vegetation dynamics in a novel ecosystem: agroforestry effects on grassland vegetation in Uruguay

Conservation of species-rich subtropical grasslands: traditional management vs. legal conservation requirements in primary and secondary grasslands

Distribution of soil nutrients under and outside tree/shrub canopies on a revegetated loessial slope

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