Dynamics and Edge Effect of an Atlantic Forest Fragment in Brazil

ABSTRACT The woody plants in an edge area formed approximately 35 years ago in an Atlantic Forest fragment in northeastern Brazil were examined, and three environments defined: edge, intermediate, and interior. Canopy tree densities and basal areas were found to be similar in all three environments, and also similar to previous published studies in the same region; species richness was greatest at the forest edge. The understory showed greater species richness in the forest interior, but greater diversity and equitability in the intermediate environment. Understory environments close to the forest edge demonstrated larger stem diameters than in the forest interior, although at lesser densities and with smaller total basal areas. Our results indicated the existence of distinct patterns in canopy and understory that most likely reflect differences in the response times of these two vegetation layers, with the understory being more sensitive to alterations in environmental structure.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Mendes,Poliana Gabriella Araújo, Silva,Maria Amanda Menezes, Guerra,Tassiane Novacosque Feitosa, Lins-e-Silva,Ana Carolina Borges, Cavalcanti,Airton de Deus Cysneiros, Sampaio,Everardo Valadares de Sá Barretto, Rodal,Maria Jesus Nogueira
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Instituto de Florestas da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro 2016
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2179-80872016000300340
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