Reis, SM, Marimon, BS, Marimon Junior, BH et al. (9 more authors) (2018) Climate and fragmentation affect forest structure at the southern border of Amazonia. Plant Ecology and Diversity, 11 (1). pp. 13-25. ISSN 1755-0874
Abstract
Background: The remaining forests in the extensive contact zone between southern Amazonia (seasonal rain forest) and the Cerrado (savanna) biomes are at risk due to intense land-use and climate change.
Aims: To explore the vulnerability of these transitional forests to changes in land use and climate, we evaluated the effects of fragmentation and climatic variables on forest structure.
Methods: We measured the diameter and height of 14,185 trees with diameter ≥10 cm at 24 forest plots distributed over an area of 25,000 km2. For each plot, we obtained data on contemporary fragmentation and climatic variables.
Results: Forest structure variables (height, diameter, height:diameter allometry, biomass) varied significantly both within and among plots. The height, H:D and biomass of trees were positively correlated with annual precipitation and fragment area.
Conclusions: The association between forest structure and precipitation indicates that these forests plots are likely to be vulnerable to dry season intensification anticipated for the southern edge of the Amazon. Additionally, the reduction in the fragment area may contribute to reductions in forest biomass and tree height, and consequently ecosystem carbon stocks. Given the likely susceptibility of these forests, urgent conservation action is needed to prevent further habitat degradation.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2018 Botanical Society of Scotland and Taylor & Francis. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Plant Ecology & Diversity on 25 Apr 2018, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/17550874.2018.1455230. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | allometry; Amazon arc of deforestation; biomass; climate change; habitat fragmentation; precipitation; stem diameter; tree height; transition zone |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Geography (Leeds) > Ecology & Global Change (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 08 May 2018 09:02 |
Last Modified: | 25 Apr 2019 00:39 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/17550874.2018.1455230 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:128852 |