Relationship between fragmentation, degradation and native and exotic species richness in an Andean temperate forest of Chile

Rojas, Isabel; Becerra, Pablo; Galvéz, Nicolás; Laker, Jerry; Bonacic, Cristián; Hester, Alison J.

doi:10.4067/s0717-66432011000200006

Cited by 22 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Highland forests (>700 m of elevation) are dominated by evergreen tree species of the genera Laureliopsis , Saxegothaea , and Araucaria , and one deciduous tree Nothofagus pumilio (Rojas et al . ). The predominant understory across all elevations is bamboo ( Chusquea spp), several ferns, and shrubs.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Elevation has contrasting effects on avian and mammalian nest traits in the Andean temperate mountains

et al. 2019

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Nest building is a widespread breeding strategy across taxa. Nest composition and structure can play a critical role in the breeding success and/or adult survival of nest-building vertebrates. Although nest traits are expected to vary adaptively across elevational gradients, few studies address this relationship. We studied the variation in nest traits (composition and structure) across elevation for two taxa with two different functions in the Andean temperate forests of southern Chile: a bird (Aphrastura spinicauda, Furnariidae, 170 breeding nests) and a marsupial mammal (Dromiciops gliroides, Microbiotheriidae, 91 winter torpor nests). For A. spinicauda, we further assessed how nest traits influenced clutch size and hatching success. Both species used fewer types of nest materials (items) with increasing elevation, and a greater proportion of leaves were used in highland compared to lowland forests. Aphrastura spinicauda used feathers and hair, and D. gliroides used bryophytes more frequently in lowland forests. The mass and volume of nests decreased with increasing elevation for A. spinicauda and increased for D. gliroides. Nest traits had subsequent fitness consequences for A. spinicauda, such that: (i) greater cup volume and depth were associated with larger clutch sizes, (ii) more items used during nest building were linked to improved clutch size at high elevation only, and (iii) nest wall thickness was negatively associated with hatching success. Thus, in temperate mountain ecosystems, elevation may be an important factor influencing nest-building behaviour for cavity-using vertebrates. However, the direction of the elevational effects may vary among taxa and nest functions in these ecosystems.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Elevation has contrasting effects on avian and mammalian nest traits in the Andean temperate mountains

et al. 2019

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“…Correlation of the regional palaeoecological studies with global climatic events is one of the objectives. With extremely fast establishment and fast growth rates (Grotkopp et al 2002;Burns , 2006 invasive species, particularly Mimosa (in context to the findings), are early colonizers and can make use of tree fall gaps, degraded forests and forest fringes better than native species (Rojas et al 2011), as they can thrive in resource-poor habitats (Monaco et al 2005;Funk & Vitousek 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Late Pleistocene palaeoclimate based on vegetation of the Eastern Himalayan foothills in the Indo-Burma Range, India

Basumatary¹,

Tripathi²,

Bera³

et al. 2014

Palynology

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The Eastern Himalayan foothills constitute an important part of the Indo-Burma hotspot due to their richness in biodiversity and representative nature for the region. This contribution enhances the data bank on the variation in rich floral diversity from northeast India. Here, we present the first palynological report for the region on palaeovegetation and past climate variations as reflected in the Subankhata swamp of Assam. This is an attempt to show the affinity of the vegetation records of this swamp with Indo-Burma flora based on the remarkable similarity in the trend of vegetation changes over a time period of about 27,000 yrs. The studied palynoassemblage reflects six different vegetational and climatic phases (S-I to S-VI) since the Late Pleistocene. The first phase (S-I) comprises compact organic clay with a little silt. During this phase, a vast lowland savanna forest existed in a cool and dry climate regime similar to what was observed during the Ice Age. Later, during the S-II phase, the forest initially continued with little alteration in tree taxa under a relatively less cool and dry climate. Thereafter, the establishment of forest occurred under the influence of moderate monsoons that led to the onset of a warm and humid climate during the S-III phase which mainly comprises organic clay with silt. During the span of the S-IV phase, vegetation consisting of Dipterocarpaceae, Mesua ferrea, Elaeocarpus and Syzygium are found, indicating warm and humid climatic conditions with high rainfall. The clearance of forest by humans has also been noted in this period. Subsequently, during the S-V zone, the beginning of a gradual decline in arboreals suggests an acceleration in forest clearance, possibly due to human activities as the climate turned warm and less humid. Entering the S-VI zone (probably Late Holocene), a drastic decline occurred in major tree elements, implying relatively dry climatic conditions indicating weakened monsoonal activity. The trend in our findings shows a clear affinity of these variations in the region with the whole Indo-Burma range since the Late Pleistocene.

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“…Carnivores are especially vulnerable to persecution after livestock predation, attacks on humans or as a result of deeprooted social norms or cultural practices (Inskip & Zimmermann, 2009;Marchini & Macdonald, 2012;Treves & Karanth, 2003). Indirectly, many mammals are also threatened by factors such as the introduction of invasive plant species, which reduce habitat complexity (Rojas et al, 2011), and domestic pets, which can transmit diseases or compete for resources (Hughes & Macdonald, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A spatially integrated framework for assessing socioecological drivers of carnivore decline

Galvéz

Guillera‐Arroita

John

et al. 2018

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation are key threats to the long‐term persistence of carnivores, which are also susceptible to direct persecution by people. Integrating natural and social science methods to examine how habitat configuration/quality and human–predator relations may interact in space and time to effect carnivore populations within human‐dominated landscapes will help prioritise conservation investment and action effectively.We propose a socioecological modelling framework to evaluate drivers of carnivore decline in landscapes where predators and people coexist. By collecting social and ecological data at the same spatial scale, candidate models can be used to quantify and tease apart the relative importance of different threats.We apply our methodological framework to an empirical case study, the threatened güiña (Leopardus guigna) in the temperate forest ecoregion of southern Chile, to illustrate its use. Existing literature suggests that the species is declining due to habitat loss, fragmentation and persecution in response to livestock predation. Data used in modelling were derived from four seasons of camera‐trap surveys, remote‐sensed images and household questionnaires.Occupancy dynamics were explained by habitat configuration/quality covariates rather than by human–predator relations. Güiñas can tolerate a high degree of habitat loss (>80% within a home range). They are primarily impacted by fragmentation and land subdivision (larger farms being divided into smaller ones). Ten per cent of surveyed farmers (N = 233) reported illegally killing the species over the past decade. Synthesis and applications. By integrating ecological and social data, collected at the same spatial scale, within a single modelling framework, our study demonstrates the value of an interdisciplinary approach to assessing the potential threats to a carnivore. It has allowed us to tease apart effectively the relative importance of different potential extinction pressures for the güiña (Leopardus guigna), make informed conservation recommendations and prioritise where future interventions should be targeted. We have identified that human‐dominated landscapes with large intensive farms can be of conservation value, as long as an appropriate network of habitat patches is maintained within the matrix. Conservation efforts to secure the long‐term persistence of the species should focus on reducing habitat fragmentation rather than human persecution.

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Relationship between fragmentation, degradation and native and exotic species richness in an Andean temperate forest of Chile

Cited by 22 publications

References 48 publications

Elevation has contrasting effects on avian and mammalian nest traits in the Andean temperate mountains

Elevation has contrasting effects on avian and mammalian nest traits in the Andean temperate mountains

Late Pleistocene palaeoclimate based on vegetation of the Eastern Himalayan foothills in the Indo-Burma Range, India

A spatially integrated framework for assessing socioecological drivers of carnivore decline

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