Tree structure and diversity of lowland Atlantic forest fragments: comparison of disturbed and undisturbed remnants |
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| Authors: | Fabrício Alvim Carvalho João Marcelo Alvarenga Braga Marcelo Trindade Nascimento |
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| Institution: | 1.Departamento de Botanica,Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora. Campus Universitário,Juiz de Fora-MG,Brazil;2.Instituto de Pesquisas do Jardim Botanico,do Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro-RJ,Brazil;3.Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, CBB,Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense,Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ,Brazil |
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| Abstract: | This study describes the tree community structure of three moist lowland Atlantic Forest fragments in Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. Two fragments were disturbed and an undisturbed one was used as reference. Our hypothesis was that disturbed fragments show distinct structural patterns in comparison with undisturbed stands due to past disturbance practices and forest fragmentation. Four 100 × 5 m sampling plots were demarcated in each fragment and all live and dead trees with DBH ≥ 5 cm were located, measured and identified. The results supported our hypothesis, due to the high values found for standing dead trees, an increase of dominance of a few pioneer species, lower values of large trees and species richness in disturbed fragments in comparison with the undisturbed one. The advanced fragmentation process in the Southern Brazilian lowland areas and the high species richness in undisturbed areas highlight these forest fragments as priority areas for conservation and management. |
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