Identity and relationships of the Arboreal Caatinga among other floristic units of seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs) of north‐eastern and Central Brazil
Abstract The tree species composition of seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF) in north‐eastern and central Brazil is analyzed to address the following hypotheses: (1) variations in species composition are related to both environment (climate and substrate) and spatial proximity; (2) SDTF floristic...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2012-02-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.91 |
| _version_ | 1797797860594417664 |
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| author | Rubens M. Santos Ary T. Oliveira‐Filho Pedro V. Eisenlohr Luciano P. Queiroz Domingos B. O. S. Cardoso Maria J. N. Rodal |
| author_facet | Rubens M. Santos Ary T. Oliveira‐Filho Pedro V. Eisenlohr Luciano P. Queiroz Domingos B. O. S. Cardoso Maria J. N. Rodal |
| author_sort | Rubens M. Santos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The tree species composition of seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF) in north‐eastern and central Brazil is analyzed to address the following hypotheses: (1) variations in species composition are related to both environment (climate and substrate) and spatial proximity; (2) SDTF floristic units may be recognized based on peculiar composition and environment; and (3) the Arboreal Caatinga, a deciduous forest occurring along the hinterland borders of the Caatinga Domain, is one of these units and its flora is more strongly related to the caatinga vegetation than to outlying forests. The study region is framed by the Brazilian coastline, 50th meridian west and 21st parallel south, including the Caatinga Domain and extensions into the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado Domains. Multivariate and geostatistic analyses were performed on a database containing 16,226 occurrence records of 1332 tree species in 187 georeferenced SDTF areas and respective environmental variables. Tree species composition varied significantly with both environmental variables and spatial proximity. Eight SDTF floristic units were recognized in the region, including the Arboreal Caatinga. In terms of species composition, its tree flora showed a stronger link with that of the Cerrado Dry Forest Enclaves. On the other hand, in terms of species frequency across sample areas, the links were stronger with two other units: Rock Outcrops Caatinga and Agreste and Brejo Dry Forests. There is a role for niche‐based control of tree species composition across the SDTFs of the region determined primarily by the availability of ground water across time and secondarily by the amount of soil mineral nutrients. Spatial proximity also contributes significantly to the floristic cohesion of SDTF units suggesting a highly dispersal‐limited tree flora. These units should be given the status of eco‐regions to help driving the conservation policy regarding the protection of their biodiversity. |
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| id | doaj.art-49584d6f1eb64784b54902b9056f5cfb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T03:54:44Z |
| publishDate | 2012-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-49584d6f1eb64784b54902b9056f5cfb2023-06-22T06:50:39ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582012-02-012240942810.1002/ece3.91Identity and relationships of the Arboreal Caatinga among other floristic units of seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs) of north‐eastern and Central BrazilRubens M. Santos0Ary T. Oliveira‐Filho1Pedro V. Eisenlohr2Luciano P. Queiroz3Domingos B. O. S. Cardoso4Maria J. N. Rodal5Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, 37200‐000, Lavras, MG, BrazilDepartamento de Botânica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270‐901, Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilDepartamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 13083‐862, Campinas, SP, BrazilDepartamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, 44036‐900, Feira de Santana, BA, BrazilDepartamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, 44036‐900, Feira de Santana, BA, BrazilDepartamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, 52171‐900, Recife, PE, BrazilAbstract The tree species composition of seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF) in north‐eastern and central Brazil is analyzed to address the following hypotheses: (1) variations in species composition are related to both environment (climate and substrate) and spatial proximity; (2) SDTF floristic units may be recognized based on peculiar composition and environment; and (3) the Arboreal Caatinga, a deciduous forest occurring along the hinterland borders of the Caatinga Domain, is one of these units and its flora is more strongly related to the caatinga vegetation than to outlying forests. The study region is framed by the Brazilian coastline, 50th meridian west and 21st parallel south, including the Caatinga Domain and extensions into the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado Domains. Multivariate and geostatistic analyses were performed on a database containing 16,226 occurrence records of 1332 tree species in 187 georeferenced SDTF areas and respective environmental variables. Tree species composition varied significantly with both environmental variables and spatial proximity. Eight SDTF floristic units were recognized in the region, including the Arboreal Caatinga. In terms of species composition, its tree flora showed a stronger link with that of the Cerrado Dry Forest Enclaves. On the other hand, in terms of species frequency across sample areas, the links were stronger with two other units: Rock Outcrops Caatinga and Agreste and Brejo Dry Forests. There is a role for niche‐based control of tree species composition across the SDTFs of the region determined primarily by the availability of ground water across time and secondarily by the amount of soil mineral nutrients. Spatial proximity also contributes significantly to the floristic cohesion of SDTF units suggesting a highly dispersal‐limited tree flora. These units should be given the status of eco‐regions to help driving the conservation policy regarding the protection of their biodiversity. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.91Floristic connectionsgeo‐climatic variablesseasonally dry tropical vegetationspatial distribution patternstree species compositionvegetation–environment relationships |
| spellingShingle | Rubens M. Santos Ary T. Oliveira‐Filho Pedro V. Eisenlohr Luciano P. Queiroz Domingos B. O. S. Cardoso Maria J. N. Rodal Identity and relationships of the Arboreal Caatinga among other floristic units of seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs) of north‐eastern and Central Brazil Ecology and Evolution Floristic connections geo‐climatic variables seasonally dry tropical vegetation spatial distribution patterns tree species composition vegetation–environment relationships |
| title | Identity and relationships of the Arboreal Caatinga among other floristic units of seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs) of north‐eastern and Central Brazil |
| title_full | Identity and relationships of the Arboreal Caatinga among other floristic units of seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs) of north‐eastern and Central Brazil |
| title_fullStr | Identity and relationships of the Arboreal Caatinga among other floristic units of seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs) of north‐eastern and Central Brazil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identity and relationships of the Arboreal Caatinga among other floristic units of seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs) of north‐eastern and Central Brazil |
| title_short | Identity and relationships of the Arboreal Caatinga among other floristic units of seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs) of north‐eastern and Central Brazil |
| title_sort | identity and relationships of the arboreal caatinga among other floristic units of seasonally dry tropical forests sdtfs of north eastern and central brazil |
| topic | Floristic connections geo‐climatic variables seasonally dry tropical vegetation spatial distribution patterns tree species composition vegetation–environment relationships |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.91 |
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