Litterfall: A Bio-indicator for Edge Effect in a Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forest

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the use of litterfall as an indicator of fragmentation in a Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forest in Além Paraíba, MG, Brazil. Litterfall was collected monthly for one year in conical collectors (0.25 m2 of surface), located at seven distances from the forest edge: 10, 30, 60, 100, 160, 250 and 350 m. The litterfall was dried in an oven and separated (leaves, branches, reproductive structures, miscellaneous). Litterfall was greater near the forest edge, probably due to a predominance of species with high leaf deposition (pioneers and deciduous). Litterfall had peaks at the beginning of the rainy season for the average obtained from the seven distances from the forest edge. The edge effect did not clearly influence the contribution of the fractions or the seasonality of total litterfall.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Machado,Murilo Rezende, Souza,Rodrigo Camara de, Calvi,Geângelo Petene, Piña-Rodrigues,Fátima Conceição Márquez, Leles,Paulo Sergio dos Santos
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Instituto de Florestas da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro 2018
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2179-80872018000300114
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