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

Abstract

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.

Edge Influence Over Functional Tree Traits in an Atlantic Forest Remnant

“…Variation in functional traits is usually related to climate change and resilience towards changes (Poorter et al, 2010;Gratani, 2014;Falster et al, 2018). In this sense, edge trees are often reported presenting low wood density, smaller diameters, and shorter heights compared to individuals from the interior of the forest remnant (Oliveira-Filho et al, 1997;Magnago et al, 2014;Rodrigues et al, 2016;Berenguer et al, 2018). However, some studies suggested that they do not signifi cantly diff er in functional traits concerning habitat types (Pires et al, 2014;Magnago et al, 2014;Couto-Santos et al, 2021).…”

“…In this sense, edge studies usually aim at assessing functional diversity (Tabarelli et al, 2010;Magnago et al, 2014;Couto-Santos et al, 2021). When exploring the functional traits of trees, they are continuously oriented to studies in small remnants (Nascimento and Laurance, 2006;Santos et al, 2008;Santo-Silva et al, 2016), with particular species (Costa et al, 2020), and in specifi c environmental gradients (Rodrigues et al, 2016).…”