Edaphic attributes indicative of edge effect in Semideciduous tropical forest

Silva, Cristiane Figueira da; Souza, Rodrigo Camara de; Pereira, Marcos Gervásio; Pinto, Luiz Alberto da Silva Rodrigues; Ferreira, Robert; Correia, Maria Elizabeth Fernandes; Menezes, Carlos Eduardo Gabriel; Fontes, Marcelo Antoniol; Silva, Tiago Paula da

doi:10.1016/j.actao.2021.103776

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 43 publications

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“…Such edge-interior gradients are well known in vegetation science and mostly ascribed to the higher light availability, thinner litter layer, higher litter quality and seed flux from adjacent habitats (Guirado et al, 2006;Pellissier et al, 2013;Normann et al, 2016;Govaert et al, 2020). Also in our study we found positive effects of a warmer summer microclimate, lower tree cover (indicating a higher light availability) and a higher soil pH on the number of generalist species, which are all environmental conditions that can be related to edge proximity (Matlack, 1993;Figueira da Silva et al, 2021).…”

Section: Species Richness Gradients From Urban Forest Edges Towards I...supporting

confidence: 75%

Nutrient‐demanding and thermophilous plants dominate urban forest‐edge vegetation across temperate Europe

De Pauw,

Depauw,

Calders

et al. 2024

J Vegetation Science

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QuestionsForests are highly fragmented across the globe. For urban forests in particular, fragmentation increases the exposure to local warming caused by the urban heat island (UHI) effect. We here aim to quantify edge effects on herbaceous understorey vegetation in urban forests, and test whether these effects interact with forest structural complexity.LocationWe set up a pan‐European study at the continental scale including six urban forests in Zurich, Paris, Katowice, Brussels, Bremen, and Stockholm.MethodsWe recorded understorey plant communities from the edge towards the interior of urban forests. Within each urban forest, we studied edge‐to‐interior gradients in paired stands with differing forest structural complexity. Community composition was analysed based on species specialism, life form, light, nutrient, acidity and disturbance indicator values and species' thermal niches.ResultsWe found that herbaceous communities at urban forest edges supported more generalists and forbs but fewer ferns than in forests' interiors. A buffered summer microclimate proved crucial for the presence of fern species. The edge communities contained more thermophilous, disturbance‐tolerant, nutrient‐demanding and basiphilous plant species, a pattern strongly confirmed by corresponding edge‐to‐interior gradients in microclimate, soil and light conditions in the understorey. Additionally, plots with a lower canopy cover and higher light availability supported higher numbers of both generalists and forest specialists. Even though no significant interactions were found between the edge distance and forest structural complexity, opposing additive effects indicated that a dense canopy can be used to buffer negative edge effects.ConclusionThe urban environment poses a multifaceted filter on understorey plant communities which contributes to significant differences in community composition between urban forest edges and interiors. For urban biodiversity conservation and the buffering of edge effects, it will be key to maintain dense canopies near urban forest edges.

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Section: Species Richness Gradients From Urban Forest Edges Towards I...supporting

confidence: 75%

Nutrient‐demanding and thermophilous plants dominate urban forest‐edge vegetation across temperate Europe

De Pauw,

Depauw,

Calders

et al. 2024

J Vegetation Science

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Structuring of the epigeal fauna in restoration of Brazilian semiarid forest in the short term

Gomes¹,

Cabreira

Lima

et al. 2022

Soil Res.

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Context The Caatinga biome, located in the Brazilian semiarid region, has few remnants of riparian forest. Thus, it is essential to know the effectiveness of strategies aimed at forest recovery. Aims The objective of this study was to investigate the use of the epigeal fauna as a bioindicator tool of soil quality and ecosystem sustainability to determine the best native forest restoration strategy in the Caatinga in Belém do São Francisco, Pernambuco, Brazil. Methods In areas previously dominated by Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC., three treatments were installed: conventional planting of native species (P), planting of native species in islands (applied nucleation, N), and natural regeneration (NR). These restoration treatments were compared with an area of high P. juliflora dominance (PJ). Epigeal fauna were captured in two periods of the year (wet and dry seasons) using pitfall traps in a completely randomised design. We estimated the total abundance, richness, diversity, and evenness, as well as the trophic guilds of the epigeal fauna. Key results The epigeal fauna organisms were distributed in 22 taxonomic groups. The Saprophagous Diplopoda group was exclusive to PJ. The Predator Pseudocorpionida group was not observed in the NR area in any period. Cluster analysis revealed more dissimilarity of the NR with the other areas. Conclusions In the short term (less than 2 years), P increased the diversity and richness of the epigeal fauna and promoted better structuring of the Microphagous/Saprophagous (Entomobryomorpha, Poduromorpha, and Symphypleona) trophic guild, while NR promoted better structuring of the Herbivorous (Auchenorryhncha and Heteroptera) and Saprophagous/Predator (Formicidae and Coleoptera) trophic guilds. Implications In the short term, conventional planting benefited the epigeal fauna due to the high diversity of planted species.

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Edaphic attributes indicative of edge effect in Semideciduous tropical forest

Cited by 2 publications

References 43 publications

Nutrient‐demanding and thermophilous plants dominate urban forest‐edge vegetation across temperate Europe

Nutrient‐demanding and thermophilous plants dominate urban forest‐edge vegetation across temperate Europe

Structuring of the epigeal fauna in restoration of Brazilian semiarid forest in the short term

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