Edge effects of linear canopy openings on understorey communities in a lowland <scp>A</scp>tlantic tropical forest

Prieto, Pablo Viany; Sansevero, Jerônimo Boelsums Barreto; Garbin, Mário Luís; Braga, João Marcelo Alvarenga; Rodrigues, Pablo José Francisco Pena

doi:10.1111/avsc.12043

Cited by 26 publications

(26 citation statements)

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“…In tropical forests, areas adjacent to linear gaps are characterized by low species richness, high proportion of pioneers and anemochorous plants and presence of exotic species, as reported in this study and others (Ribeiro et al 2009a;Reznik et al 2012;Prieto et al 2014). We also found that pathway width influences the nearby vegetation as much as its presence.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…January- March 2017 Several studies addressed the changes in vegetation structure and composition at the edges of linear forest gaps (Demir 2007;Enoki et al 2012;Otto et al 2013;Li et al 2014) and just a few conducted in tropical forests focused on linear gaps caused by roads, gas pipelines and power lines (Reznik et al 2012;Prieto et al 2014;CoutoSantos et al 2015), or pastures (Ribeiro et al 2009a). In those studies, linear gaps aff ected the phenodynamics of animal dispersed plants (Reznik et al 2012), tree species structure and richness (Ribeiro et al 2009a;Couto-Santos et al 2015), and proportion of pioneer species (Prieto et al 2014). However, the extent to which the pathway width aff ects those forest attributes has never been properly assessed and understood.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pathways affect vegetation structure and composition in the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil

et al. 2017

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Although impacts generated by gaps can aff ect vegetation, few studies have addressed these impacts in the Atlantic Forest. Our aim was to investigate the eff ects of pathways of varying widths on vegetation structure and composition, considering dispersal syndromes, diversity, life forms, successional categories and threatened and exotic species occurrence in the Atlantic Forest. We studied three pathways with widths of 2, 10 and 20 m, intersecting a protected area in southeastern Brazil. To assess edge eff ects, plots were established adjacent to paths (edge) and 35 m from the edge (neighborhood), and in a control area without pathways. Wider pathways (10 and 20 m) exhibited reduced tree height and diameter, high liana density, exotic species, and a high proportion of pioneer and anemochorous species. In conclusion, our results indicate that the vegetation structure of narrow pathways (2 m) is similar to the control area, and that wide linear gaps cause negative eff ects on vegetation and extend to a distance of at least 35 m into the forest interior. Considering that linear gaps generate permanent eff ects to vegetation and may aff ect other organisms, we suggest that these eff ects must be considered for successful management of protected areas, including planning and impact mitigation.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathways affect vegetation structure and composition in the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil

et al. 2017

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“…While oil pipeline canopy openings represent a threat to tropical forests, they can also be viewed as potential large-scale field experiments [23], and we used such openings (created by two oil pipelines inside a protected area) to examine whether they create edge effects that impact the structures and dynamics of Brazilian montane Atlantic Forests.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Edge Effects of Oil Pipeline Canopy Openings on Tree Community Structure and Dynamics in a Montane Atlantic Forest

Rodrigues¹,

Melo²,

Abreu³

et al. 2016

GEP

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The Atlantic forest has historically been severely deforested, and only fragments currently remain that are subject to a wide variety of anthropogenic impacts, including edge effects that can cause structural and functional degradation. The Tinguá Biological Reserve-RJ comprises approximately 26,000 hectares of well-preserved Atlantic Forest, but it is subject to impacts caused by two canopy openings along oil pipelines. Comparisons were made between pipeline edges and forest interiors to evaluate edge effects on the structure and dynamics of those tree communities. Tree densities were higher along forest edges, apparently increasing over time. Tree basal areas, on the other hand, have decreased along edges due to higher mortality rates. Linear canopy opening edges showed higher densities of small trees, while the interior had more very large trees, indicating changes in successional processes and community structural patterns due to edge effects.

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“…Changes in resource availability, species interactions and disturbance patterns are expected in such human-modified habitats. Many studies have shown the consequences of edges effects in tropical forests [11]- [16], but they are almost unknown the precise consequences on Atlantic forest regeneration patterns and, only recently, it was found that the creation of linear canopy openings caused edge effects on understory communities [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand linear canopy openings, such as gas pipeline and power lines are relatively controlled field experiments and allow us inferences about edge effects that are probably not confounded by other disturbances [17] [18]. Here we analyzed edge effect patterns on Atlantic forest woody seedlings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Linear Canopy Openings in a Lowland Atlantic Tropical Forest Cause Edge Effects on Seedling Communities?

Rodrigues¹,

Iguatemy²,

Nascimento³

2014

OJE

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Edge effects and linear canopy openings may change ecological patterns and processes on forests. Here we investigate if these openings in a lowland Brazilian Atlantic forest cause edge effects on seedlings. We sampled seedling communities at forest edges near to two linear canopy openings (gas pipeline and power line) and in interiors far from edges. Comparisons between the seedling communities were performed to access edge effects. Density and basal area patterns were compared using, hierarchical two-way ANOVAs and the number of newly germinated seedlings, mortality and resprouts were compared by one-way ANOVAs. The results showed that edge effects of linear canopy openings affect seedling communities leading to low densities on edges that showed less favorable conditions for arrival, establishment and initial survival. The basal area patterns were not affected by edge effects apparently by the resistance of the seedlings that have more than 4 mm diameter. Therefore, linear canopy openings caused edge effects, which determine low seedling densities on edges. However this pattern is not due to increase mortality on these edges, but probably caused by the reduction on germination and establishment.

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Edge effects of linear canopy openings on understorey communities in a lowland Atlantic tropical forest

Abstract: Abbreviations DBH = diameter at breast height. Nomenclature APG III 2009

Cited by 26 publications

References 50 publications

Pathways affect vegetation structure and composition in the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil

Pathways affect vegetation structure and composition in the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil

Edge Effects of Oil Pipeline Canopy Openings on Tree Community Structure and Dynamics in a Montane Atlantic Forest

Does Linear Canopy Openings in a Lowland Atlantic Tropical Forest Cause Edge Effects on Seedling Communities?

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