Spatial variation of dung beetle assemblages associated with forest structure in remnants of southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest

ABSTRACT The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, and is currently highly fragmented and disturbed due to human activities. Variation in environmental conditions in the Atlantic Forest can influence the distribution of species, which may show associations with some environmental features. Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) are insects that act in nutrient cycling via organic matter decomposition and have been used for monitoring environmental changes. The aim of this study is to identify associations between the spatial distribution of dung beetle species and Atlantic Forest structure. The spatial distribution of some dung beetle species was associated with structural forest features. The number of species among the sampling sites ranged widely, and few species were found in all remnant areas. Principal coordinates analysis indicated that species composition, abundance and biomass showed a spatially structured distribution, and these results were corroborated by permutational multivariate analysis of variance. The indicator value index and redundancy analysis showed an association of several dung beetle species with some explanatory environmental variables related to Atlantic Forest structure. This work demonstrated the existence of a spatially structured distribution of dung beetles, with significant associations between several species and forest structure in Atlantic Forest remnants from Southern Brazil.

Sampling strategies for tropical forest nutrient cycling studies: a case study in São Paulo, Brazil

The precise sampling of soil, biological or micro climatic attributes in tropical forests, which are characterized by a high diversity of species and complex spatial variability, is a difficult task. We found few basic studies to guide sampling procedures. The objective of this study was to define a sampling strategy and data analysis for some parameters frequently used in nutrient cycling studies, i. e., litter amount, total nutrient amounts in litter and its composition (Ca, Mg, Κ, Ν and P), and soil attributes at three depths (organic matter, Ρ content, cation exchange capacity and base saturation). A natural remnant forest in the West of São Paulo State (Brazil) was selected as study area and samples were collected in July, 1989. The total amount of litter and its total nutrient amounts had a high spatial independent variance. Conversely, the variance of litter composition was lower and the spatial dependency was peculiar to each nutrient. The sampling strategy for the estimation of litter amounts and the amount of nutrient in litter should be different than the sampling strategy for nutrient composition. For the estimation of litter amounts and the amount of nutrients in litter (related to quantity) a large number of randomly distributed determinations are needed. Otherwise, for the estimation of litter nutrient composition (related to quality) a smaller amount of spatially located samples should be analyzed. The determination of sampling for soil attributes differed according to the depth. Overall, surface samples (0-5 cm) showed high short distance spatial dependent variance, whereas, subsurface samples exhibited spatial dependency in longer distances. Short transects with sampling interval of 5-10 m are recommended for surface sampling. Subsurface samples must also be spatially located, but with transects or grids with longer distances between sampling points over the entire area. Composite soil samples would not provide a complete understanding of the relation between soil properties and surface dynamic processes or landscape aspects. Precise distribution of Ρ was difficult to estimate.

A participatory approach to tactical forest planning

Jyrki Kangas ... [et al.]

Old ferricrete landscape dismantling in Central Africa rain forest zone: formation of the present downslope iron accumulations.

Present downslope iron accumulations were investigated in the rainforest zone in southern Cameroon. Six clay and Fe-hydroxide dominated patterns have been identified and occur on the lower part of hill slopes. They can be subdivided in three different sequences, related to gentle, moderate or steep slopes. They are discontinuous with respect to the dismantling zone of the old ferricrete cap formed at Cretaceous period. They show a gradual development from a soft Fe-crust (carapace) to a vesicular facies that will, with time, cover the whole landscape again.

Dependência micorrízica de Araucaria Angustifolia (Bert.) O. Ktze. sob doses de fósforo

Este trabalho teve como objetivos determinar a dependência micorrízica de plantas de Araucaria angustifolia, sob diferentes doses de P, e acompanhar o desenvolvimento do hospedeiro e do endófito após a inoculação. O experimento foi realizado em condições de casa de vegetação, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado num esquema fatorial 4 x 4, sendo: três espécies de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) (Glomus intraradices, Gigaspora rosea e uma mistura de FMAs nativos, provenientes de mata de araucária em Campos do Jordão, no estado de São Paulo, e um controle sem FMA, com quatro doses de P no substrato (0, 20, 50 e 150 mg kg-1 de P na forma de KH2PO4), com cinco repetições. Avaliaram-se a matéria seca da parte aérea e raiz, a taxa de colonização radicular, o número de esporos no solo e os teores de nutrientes presentes na parte aérea da planta. Concluiu-se que a Araucaria angustifolia é planta micotrófica e tem dependência micorrízica até a dose de 150 mg kg-1 de P, sendo a taxa de colonização radicular e esporulação variáveis com a espécie de FMA. A espécie Gigaspora rosea é indicada para baixos teores de P no solo e Glomus intraradices para teores mais elevados, enquanto os FMAs nativos são benéficos ao crescimento da araucária em qualquer teor de P. Independentemente da espécie de FMA, as plantas micorrizadas apresentaram maiores concentrações de P e menores de N e K que as não micorrizadas.

Site index model approach for drained peatland forest stands

Tiivistelmä: Pituusboniteettisovellus ojitusalueiden metsille

Soil water storage in an upland forest after selective logging in Central Amazonia

Soil water storage of Central Amazonian soil profiles in upland forest plots subjected to selective logging (in average, 8 trees or 34, 3 m³ of timber per hectare were removed) was measured in four layers, down to a depth of 70 cm. The study lasted 27-months and was divided in two phases: measurements were carried out nearly every week during the first 15 months; in the following year, five intensive periods of measurements were performed. Five damage levels were compared: (a) control (undisturbed forest plot); (b) centre of the clearing/gap; (c) edge of the gap; (d) edge of the remaining forest; and (e) remaining forest. The lowest values for water storage were found in the control (296 ± 19.1 mm), while the highest were observed (333 ± 25.8 mm) in the centre of the gap, during the dry period. In the older gaps (7.5-8.5 year old), soil water storage was similar to the remaining and the control forest, indicating a recovery of hydric soil properties to nearly the levels prior to selective logging.

Análise multivariada de atributos microbiológicos e químicos do solo em florestas com Araucaria angustifolia

Araucaria angustifolia é uma espécie de árvore ameaçada de extinção no Brasil e pouco se conhece sobre os atributos edáficos dessas florestas. Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de identificar diferenças entre áreas com araucária naturais e reflorestadas, com base em atributos microbiológicos e químicos do solo, por meio de métodos multivariados, como a análise canônica discriminante (ACD) e a análise de correlação canônica (ACC). As áreas estudadas incluem: 1. floresta nativa com araucária (NF); 2. reflorestamento de araucária (R); 3. reflorestamento de araucária submetido a incêndio acidental (RF); e 4. pastagem natural com araucárias nativas e ocorrência de incêndio (NPF). Foram selecionadas, ao acaso, quinze árvores de araucária por área e sob a copa de cada uma delas foram retiradas três amostras de solo, em três épocas contrastantes. A ACD foi aplicada aos atributos microbianos: C da biomassa microbiana (CBM), respiração basal (C-CO2) e quociente metabólico (qCO2), enquanto a ACC foi aplicada aos atributos microbianos e químicos do solo [pH (CaCl2), C orgânico total (COT) e teores de P, K, Ca, Mg e (H+Al). Os atributos microbianos e químicos do solo apresentaram alta correlação canônica, com destaque para o CBM e C-CO2, entre os atributos microbianos, e para COT e P, entre os atributos químicos do solo. A ACC mostrou que 52 % da variação total dos atributos microbianos é explicada pela variação dos atributos químicos, e 36 % da variação total dos atributos químicos é explicada pelos atributos microbianos do solo das áreas estudadas. A ACD identificou que a contribuição de cada atributo microbiano para a separação das áreas sofreu variação ao longo do tempo, e discriminou o CBM como sendo o atributo microbiano mais importante, seguido pelo C-CO2. ACC e ACD são importantes ferramentas no estudo de indicadores de qualidade do solo.

Colêmbolos (Hexapoda: Collembola) como bioindicadores de qualidade do solo em áreas com Araucaria angustifolia

Não existem informações sobre a diversidade de colêmbolos associados às florestas com Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze no Brasil. Este estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar o potencial da diversidade de famílias de colêmbolos como bioindicadores da qualidade do solo e para separar diferentes áreas com araucária, utilizando atributos químicos e microbiológicos do solo como variáveis explicativas. O estudo foi realizado em quatro áreas: 1. floresta nativa com predominância de araucária (NF); 2. reflorestamento de araucária (R); 3. reflorestamento de araucária submetido a incêndio acidental (RF); e 4. pastagem natural com araucárias nativas e ocorrência de incêndio acidental (NPF). Na captura dos organismos, utilizaram-se dez armadilhas, distribuídas ao acaso em cada área, nos mesmos pontos de coleta dos atributos químicos e microbiológicos do solo. O número de colêmbolos de cada família, extraído por armadilhas (abundância), o índice de diversidade de Shannon (H) e a riqueza de famílias foram submetidos à Análise de Variância (ANOVA). A abundância de cada família de Collembola foi submetida à Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP). Considerando as quatro áreas, foram identificadas oito famílias de colêmbolos (Brachystomellidae, Entomobryidae, Hypogastruridae, Isotomidae, Katiannidae, Paronellidae, Sminthuridae e Tomoceridae). A diversidade de famílias de colêmbolos foi maior nas áreas NF e R, em comparação com as áreas RF e NPF. Os atributos químicos e microbiológicos do solo foram eficientes como variáveis explicativas, pois auxiliaram na interpretação das modificações das famílias de colêmbolos. A ACP mostrou que a identificação ao nível de família de Collembola é suficiente para separar as áreas estudadas, além de indicar quais foram as famílias de colêmbolos mais associadas a cada área, o que possibilita sua utilização como bioindicadores de intervenções antrópicas, bem como da qualidade do solo.

Bacteria diversity and microbial biomass in forest, pasture and fallow soils in the southwestern Amazon basin

It is well-known that Amazon tropical forest soils contain high microbial biodiversity. However, anthropogenic actions of slash and burn, mainly for pasture establishment, induce profound changes in the well-balanced biogeochemical cycles. After a few years the grass yield usually declines, the pasture is abandoned and is transformed into a secondary vegetation called "capoeira" or fallow. The aim of this study was to examine how the clearing of Amazon rainforest for pasture affects: (1) the diversity of the Bacteria domain evaluated by Polymerase Chain Reaction and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE), (2) microbial biomass and some soil chemical properties (pH, moisture, P, K, Ca, Mg, Al, H + Al, and BS), and (3) the influence of environmental variables on the genetic structure of bacterial community. In the pasture soil, total carbon (C) was between 30 to 42 % higher than in the fallow, and almost 47 % higher than in the forest soil over a year. The same pattern was observed for N. Microbial biomass in the pasture was about 38 and 26 % higher than at fallow and forest sites, respectively, in the rainy season. DGGE profiling revealed a lower number of bands per area in the dry season, but differences in the structure of bacterial communities among sites were better defined than in the wet season. The bacterial DNA fingerprints in the forest were stronger related to Al content and the Cmic:Ctot and Nmic:Ntot ratios. For pasture and fallow sites, the structure of the Bacteria domain was more associated with pH, sum of bases, moisture, total C and N and the microbial biomass. In general microbial biomass in the soils was influenced by total C and N, which were associated with the Bacteria domain, since the bacterial community is a component and active fraction of the microbial biomass. Results show that the genetic composition of bacterial communities in Amazonian soils changed along the sequence forest-pasture-fallow.