Microclimate of Atlantic forest fragments: regional and local scale heterogeneity

Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate whether (i) the organisms within different fragments

Tree structure and richness in an Atlantic Forest fragment: distance from anthropogenic and natural edges

“…However, our results for tree density and those of RAMOS and SANTOS (2006) for canopy openness do not support this argument as an explanation of why the NE had the greatest ratio. Nevertheless, the greater allometric coefficient and basal area in the NE may indicate that this habitat places a greater restriction on plant establishment.…”

“…During this study, there were no significant differences in the minimum temperature, soil moisture or canopy openness among the three habitats, mainly because of the great variation in these parameters within each habitat (RAMOS and SANTOS, 2006). However, the AE showed the greatest average maximum temperature and amplitude, while the NE had the lowest values (RAMOS and SANTOS, 2006).…”

“…However, the AE showed the greatest average maximum temperature and amplitude, while the NE had the lowest values (RAMOS and SANTOS, 2006). The different microclimatic conditions at the AE were apparently not sufficient to cause structural differences when compared to the other two habitats.…”

“…The internal heterogeneity in tree structure and microclimatic conditions reported by RAMOS and SANTOS (2006) shows that variations within each habitat stronger determine the community structure than proximity from the edge. Consequently, the replicates within the three habitats may have different histories.…”

Dispersal syndromes related to edge distance in cerrado sensu stricto fragments of central-western Brazil

“…The main selective forces affecting the fruiting strategies are related to, among other factors, the environment in which plants occur (Opler et al, 1980), as, for example, the edge or interior of vegetation fragments. In human-fragmented forests, the fragments are usually surrounded by a matrix of low biomass and structural complexity (pastures, croplands), so differences in microclimate between the two sides of the edge emerge and create a gradient of temperature and moisture that runs perpendicular to the edgethese are the abiotic edge effects (Murcia, 1995;Ramos and Santos, 2006). The different responses among species to the changes in the physical environment at the edge may result in localized shifts in species abundance and composition, called direct biological edge effects (Matlack, 1994;Murcia, 1995).…”