Environmental factors determining the forest–grassland variation in the Espinhaço Range Biosphere Reserve—Brazil

Author:

Costa Thaís Ribeiro1,de Moura Cristiane Coelho1,da Silva Leovandes Soares1,Gonzaga Anne Priscila Dias1,Rech André Rodrigo1,Machado Evandro Luiz Mendonça1

Affiliation:

1. Department of Forest Sciences, Federal University of Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri—Campus JK , Rodovia MGT 367, Km 583, n 5.000, Alto da Jacuba, Diamantina/MG, CEP 39100-000 , Brazil

Abstract

Abstract Knowledge concerning the processes involved in defining the boundaries between rainforests (fire-sensitive) and open formations (fire-tolerant) is essential to safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services, especially under climate change and increased anthropogenic pressure. Here, we investigated the main environmental factors involved in the co-occurrence of forest islands and humid grasslands located in a protected area in the Espinhaço Biosphere Reserve, southeastern Brazil. We used permanent plots to collect the soil variables (moisture and chemical properties) in the forest islands. For sampling in wet grasslands, we installed four lines of 30 m from the edge of the islands in different directions. Subsequently, we delimited three points on each line10 m apart, totaling 12 points per area. We also surveyed the vegetation cover before and after prescribed burns. The environmental variables were subjected to tests of means and principal component analysis. We observed higher values of potassium, sum of bases, cation exchange capacity and organic matter in soils from forest islands than in wet grasslands. Therefore, the boundaries’ definition between the two vegetation types appeared to be primarily related to soil fertility and moisture gradients. After prescribed burning of the areas, no regeneration of arboreal individuals was detected near the edges of the islands. Therefore, our results suggest that forest islands are unable to expand due to well-defined edapho-climatic conditions. Thus, these environments should be a target focus for designing public conservation policies because they increase the complexity of the landscape of Campos Rupestres vegetation (mountain rocky grasslands).

Funder

Improvement of Higher Education Personnel—Brazil

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Plant Science,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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