Eliana Cardoso-Leite

Estrutura, composição florística e caracterização sucessional em remanescente de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual no Sudeste do Brasil.

This study was conducted in a fragment of semideciduous seasonal forest (SSF), located in Sorocaba (SP, Brazil), in order to verify its successional stage and infer from the future composition. Our hypothesis was that the fragment would present regeneration with low diversity of species; with predominance of pioneer species of canopy and absence of resident species in the understory and predominance of anemochoric and autochoric species. We used the parcels method, considering the individuals in three size classes, two of them referring to rhe understory and one to the canopy (1 - 100 cm and circumference at soil height 15cm. We sampled 146 species, and class 2 understory species presented the highest diversity levels. The similarity between the three classes was low. Considering the species with the highest importance values, five are pioneer and five are non pioneer. Contesting the initial hypothesis, these characteristics, plus the predominance of the zoochorich species in the three species, indicate that the fragment is in an intermediate stage of succession and has microclimatic conditions that allow the entrance and presence

PRIORITY AREAS FOR FOREST CONSERVATION IN AN URBAN LANDSCAPE AT THE TRANSITION BETWEEN ATLANTIC FOREST AND CERRADO

Urbanization and agriculture growth are some of the major causes of natural ecosystems depletion and biodiversity loss. Conservation efforts can be developed through the prioritization of areas for forest conservation in order to minimize this process. Here, we establish conservation strategies based on a spatial analysis of forest fragments in an urban landscape at the transition between two important Brazilian biodiversity hotspots: Atlantic Forest and Cerrado. A high-resolution mapping of forest patches was used to quantify forest cover and to provide spatial analysis. We developed a Forest Conservation Priority Index (FCPI) derived from landscape metrics to select priority areas for forest conservation efforts. We used area, shape and proximity metrics as landscape structure indicators. Landscape metrics were classified and we attributed a rank and weights for them to calculate the FCPI. Forest covers 17% of the study area. 60% of the forest patches comprise less than one hectare, 95% less than 10 ha and only 1% more than 50 ha. The largest fragments (> 100ha) are all long and narrow. Also, fewer than half the patches are connected to others. Regions classified as high and very high priority for forest conservation are localized at greater slopes, along rivers and on private lands. Our index allowed the prioritization of forest fragments in an urban landscape, directing efforts of conservation. Creating protected areas and restoration plans are necessary for the better situation of the natural ecosystem. Land-use planning must resolve human demands and conservation of this important ecosystem.

Lianas, tree ferns and understory species: indicators of conservation status in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest remnants, southeastern Brazil

Indicators are applied faster and at lower costs than conventional surveys, providing quick and efficient responses that can facilitate protected areas management. Our aim was to select indicators from vegetation to monitor protected areas. For this purpose, we analyzed understory and quantified lianas and tree ferns in protected and non-protected areas, in order to find indicator species. Our study areas are located in Vale do Ribeira, southeastern São Paulo state, Brazil. One of the areas is under two protection categories (IUCNs categories II and V), and the other is a privately owned farm. Lianas with large diameters (> 13 cm) and tree ferns with great heights (> 19 m) were considered indicators of undisturbed areas (protected areas) because their growth is directly related to forest successional stage. Indicator species within the protected area were shade tolerant species, such as Bathysa australis (A.St.-Hil.) K.Schum., whereas outside the protected area were pioneer species, such as Pera glabrata (Schott) Poepp. ex Baill. e Nectandra oppositifolia Ness. All of the suggested indicators can be used in management actions, especially in protected areas, to guarantee forest maintenance and ensure fulfillment of the conservation objectives of these areas.

Analysis of floristic composition and structure as an aid to monitoring protected areas of dense rain forest in southeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT To study forest composition and structure, as well as to facilitate management plans and monitoring programs, we conducted a phytosociological survey in the PE Caverna do Diabo State Park and the Quilombos do Medio Ribeira Environmentally Protected Area, both located within the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. We analyzed 20 plots of 400 m 2 each, including only individuals with a circumference at breast height ≥ 15 cm. We employed cluster analysis and ordination (principal component analysis and correspon dence analysis), including species data and abiotic data. We evaluated 1051 individuals, belonging to 155 species in 48 families. Of those 155, 18 were threatened species, 33 were endemic species, and 92 (59.4%) were secondary species. Th e overall Shannon index was 4.524, one of the highest recorded for a dense rainforest in southeastern Brazil. We found that our sample plots fell into three blocks. Th e fi rst was forest in which there had been human disturbance, showing low species richness, minimal density, and a small relative quantity of biomass. Th e second was undisturbed mature forest, showing a comparatively larger quantity of biomass. Th e third was mature forest in which there had been natural intermediate disturbance (dead trees), showing higher species richness and greater density. We identifi ed various groups of species that could be used in monitoring these distinct forest conditions.

RECOVERY OF RICHNESS, BIOMASS AND DENSITY IN ATLANTIC RAINFOREST AREAS AFTER CLEARCUTTING

Our aim was to analyze areas of Atlantic rainforest after clearcutting with different types of management (pasture establishment followed (PA) by abandonment and simple abandonment (NR)). We then compared composition parameters, structure and ecological processes with native forest as a reference. Our study was conducted in Sete Barras municipality, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Data collection was performed six years after clearcutting, including all woody plants found in two strata (DBH (diameter at 1.3 m soil) >5cm and DBH 1.5m, respectively). PA and RN showed lower values of richness, density, basal area, and diversity index (H´) when compared with F for both strata. Thus, independently of management type, six years of abandonment were not enough to recover the parameters analyzed, compared to native forest. Type of management influences ecological succession and structural parameters considering the second strata only.