Search

Montane ecosystems in South America harbor high levels of endemism typically with species that are often threatened. Here we investigated fruit and seed morphology, germination, and early growth parameters of Crinodendron brasiliense, an endangered and narrow endemic tree species of subtropical montane cloud forests in Southern Brazil. We obtained fruit and seed size and shape, number of lobes and number of seeds per fruit and evaluated germination and early growth parameters in a greenhouse. We tested the effect of different container types and parent plant on seed morphology, germination, and early growth. We also tested whether thermal scarification would improve germination rates. We showed that parent plant significantly influenced fruit and seed morphology as well as early growth rates. The germination rate of the species was extremely low (0.003-0.004 seeds per day), which may be one important underlying cause of its small population size and restricted distribution. Thermal scarification was ineffective to improve the germination of seeds. Unexpectedly, container type significantly affected germination success, as seeds in trays germinated faster and in higher rates than seeds planted in seedbeds. Such result suggests a higher soil moisture could improve germination success. Our study is the first documented propagation of the species and provides essential aspects on the reproductive biology and early development of Crinodendron brasiliense. We highlight the urgent need for further research and collaborative conservation initiatives to prevent the extinction of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wood anatomy of Gymnanthes klotzschiana was studied, to assess whether there are variations in the secondary xylem under different geopedological conditions. The species is dominant in subtropical alluvial forests and can be established in different ecological conditions, especially regarding soil water regime. Wood samples were collected in the plain of the Iguaçu River, in Paraná, Brazil, encompassing three geopedological conditions: gleysol, fluvisol and psamment, characterized by varying degrees of water saturation, ranging from very poorly drained to heavily drained. Considerable intraspecific variations were found in the xylem in response to geopedological conditions. Most of the variation occurs in attributes related to the biomechanical and hydraulic functions (e.g. fibers and vessels), with cells smaller in gleysol, larger in fluvisol and intermediate in psamment. For some variables, the xylem has similar responses in conditions of water deficit and permanent water saturation, indicating a probable influence of physiological drought. The phenotypic plasticity of the species explains its high adaptability to the selective and variable conditions of riparian environments. The study contributes to understanding the species' ecological responses, highlighting its relevance as a keystone species in the dynamic and fragile ecosystems of the floodplains, fundamental for the maintenance of many ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation of forest remnants in southern Brazil is closely related to historical land use, for example in systems such as caívas that occur within remnants of the Araucaria Forest and include livestock production and the extraction of yerba mate. Over the last decade, technologies adapted for these systems have been developed that promote a significant increase in animal productivity, without harming forest regeneration or the maintenance of the tree layer. However, the fertilization of pastures proposed in the technology has also promoted greater growth of native trees, with a consequent increase in shade levels. This, in turn, has affected the maintenance of pasture and yerba mate in the understory. Thus, this study sought to develop a methodology to adjust shade levels based on forest management that adheres to the limits permitted by current legislation. The objective was to evaluate the effect of tree management to maintain 50% shade levels on environmental indicators in a caíva that has been implementing pasture improvement technology since 2013. Native tree management occurred in 2020 and 2022 and the results were compared with data from the floristic survey of the area carried out in 2013. The results indicate that although the adoption of forest management to adjust shade levels reduced the density of individuals, it did not affect forest diversity, nor the basal area of the caíva tree layer. As such, it is possible to maintain pasture and yerba mate production in the area. Strategies like this are fundamental so that the forest landscape can continue to offer a source of production while also supporting environmental conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation of forest remnants in southern Brazil is closely related to historical land use, for example in systems such as caívas that occur within remnants of the Araucaria Forest and include livestock production and the extraction of yerba mate. Over the last decade, technologies adapted for these systems have been developed that promote a significant increase in animal productivity, without harming forest regeneration or the maintenance of the tree layer. However, the fertilization of pastures proposed in the technology has also promoted greater growth of native trees, with a consequent increase in shade levels. This, in turn, has affected the maintenance of pasture and yerba mate in the understory. Thus, this study sought to develop a methodology to adjust shade levels based on forest management that adheres to the limits permitted by current legislation. The objective was to evaluate the effect of tree management to maintain 50% shade levels on environmental indicators in a caíva that has been implementing pasture improvement technology since 2013. Native tree management occurred in 2020 and 2022 and the results were compared with data from the floristic survey of the area carried out in 2013. The results indicate that although the adoption of forest management to adjust shade levels reduced the density of individuals, it did not affect forest diversity, nor the basal area of the caíva tree layer. As such, it is possible to maintain pasture and yerba mate production in the area. Strategies like this are fundamental so that the forest landscape can continue to offer a source of production while also supporting environmental conservation.

The genus Luteostriata Carbayo, 2010, currently comprises 10 species distributed in southeastern and southern Brazil. Species of this genus represent a taxonomic challenge because many have very similar external and internal features. Some species were described based on specimens from many localities using anatomical and histological features without phylogenetical analyses, such as Luteostriata ernesti, known from various localities in southeastern and southern Brazil. We conducted an integrative taxonomic approach of southeastern and southern specimens of L. ernesti, performing morphological analyses and using two molecular markers. Our results reveal that there are at least two clades (southeastern and southern) under the designation L. ernesti, and phylogenetic analyses show that they are not sister groups. Thus, we took the taxonomic decision to describe a new species, Luteostriata dissimilis Iturralde & Leal-Zanchet, sp. nov., which is split off from L. ernesti based on specimens of the southern clade. The phylogenetic analyses suggest a close relationship between Luteostriata dissimilis and Luteostriata muelleri and indicate that Luteostriata ernesti is more closely related to Luteostriata caissara. Our results also indicate that species delineation may be the first approach to understanding the diversity and distribution of species in this genus and that a complete taxonomic revision of Luteostriata species is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Ecological restoration mitigates the negative effects of fragmentation and habitat loss. This practice allows the conservation of key species, such as Ocotea porosa, a tree native to the Araucaria Forest and extremely endangered. A key point in restoration projects is the source of seeds, as well as guidelines for collection. When carried out under technical criteria, the collection allows the maintenance of genetic diversity and adaptive potential in restoration plantations. Given the importance of seed source, genetic diversity, and adaptive potential, this study aimed to define areas and criteria for collecting seeds by characterizing the demography, genetics, and reproductive phenology of an O. porosa population. A plot of 16 hectares was installed in the municipality of Passos Maia, Santa Catarina, Brazil, and a demographic survey of trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) > 15 cm was carried out. Indices of diversity and internal genetic structure (IGS) were estimated using allozyme markers. The reproductive phenology of 67 individuals was evaluated during 8 months. The studied population showed a high density of individuals (10.7 ind. ha-1) with normal diametric distribution. The phenological pattern of the species is regular, seasonal, and annual. The evaluated population showed high genetic diversity, high fixation index, and significant IGS up to 80 meters away. Based on these results, the evaluated fragment can be used as a seed collection area. It has high genetic diversity, density, and area size sufficient to contain several demes. In addition, it is highly recommended that the matrices be at least 80 meters apart to avoid the effects of significant IGS.

Torpor and hibernation are energy‐saving heterothermic strategies widespread among mammals, and bats have reports of hibernation in North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. However, to date, there was no evidence of hibernation by bats in South America. We tagged four individuals of Eptesicus brasiliensis and one remained torpid for 13 consecutive days in a tree cavity roost in southern Brazil, showing evidence that bats can hibernate in South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical stratification is a recognized pattern in tropical forests; however, biotic and abiotic factors driving this pattern are little explored. We investigated the influence of daily climatic variation in the vertical stratification of fruit-feeding butterfly assemblages sampled with bait traps in the understory and canopy of a subtropical Atlantic Forest. Overall, 1347 individuals belonging to 38 species of fruit-feeding butterflies were recorded. The canopy and understory are distinct concerning diurnal but not nocturnal microclimatic conditions, leading to different responses in community structure. Richness did not differ between strata, but we observed an effect of stratum in interaction with variation in microclimatic conditions, with the canopy increasing in abundance compared to the understory. Temperature homogenization at night can hinder vertical stratification in richness, while microclimatic variation influences species abundance. The species composition was affected by strata with high turnover in the understory, without an effect of microclimatic variables in beta diversity. In addition to the difference in composition, our study shows that the understory was represented mainly by species from Satyrinae, while the canopy presented species from different clades. This could be an artefact of habitat structure, and the species adapted to the closed forest have a dispersal limitation compared to in the canopy. These findings help us to better understand the mechanisms generating distinct patterns of vertical stratification of fruit-feeding butterflies in the Neotropics and provide new insights into the role of microclimatic conditions in the structure of insect assemblages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Logging and agricultural exploitation have led to the degradation of Araucaria Forest remnants and the alteration of its last preserved patches. This forest typology contains many endangered plant species, as is the case of the tree Oreopanax fulvus Marchal. To support conservation of this species and understand how different landscape matrices can influence its populations, we evaluated the demographic structure and spatial distribution of O. fulvus in two Araucaria Forest remnants in Paraná state. We delimited two plots (urban and rural population), each with 1 ha, subdivided them into 100 subplots (10 x 10 m), and recorded diameter at ground level (DGL), height, and coordinates of two post-germinative developmental stage of individuals. In each subplot, we measured slope, luminosity, and canopy height. We used Ripley’s K function analysis to describe distribution patterns of the species and the spatial relationship between mature and juvenile trees. We performed correlations between abundance and environmental and structural variables of the O. fulvus populations. Abundance varied between remnants, from 183 individuals/ha (12 mature and 171 juvenile) to 1306 individuals/ha (10 and 1296). The remnants varied in abundance and plant frequency. The species showed an investment in seedling banks. Most juvenile had DGL up to 3.0 cm and height up to 1.0 m and presented aggregated spatial distribution, while adults had random distribution. In the rural population juvenile abundance were correlated with canopy height (positively) and distance to mature trees (negatively). The slope was correlated for both sites, but oppositely, indicating that other factors might have interfered in the regeneration abundance. The urban remnant showed a high abundance of this endangered species, calling attention for potential studies in urban arborization, management and conservation of these remnants.

Abstract The insect group is one of the most diverse on the planet and due to habitat degradation, many of these species are becoming extinct, leaving a lack of information on the basic biology of each one. In this study, previously unseen information about nesting biology is revealed in Auplopus subaurarius trap nests. This is a solitary ectoparasitoid spider wasp that nests in preexisting cavities. We used a trap-nesting methodology to sample A. subaurarius in two different sampling periods (2017/2018 and 2020/2021) in three types of environment (forest, grassland and Eucalyptus plantation). In our study, the A. subaurarius nest building was more frequent during the hottest months of the year (November to March), with its highest abundance found within natural forest areas and in Eucalyptus plantation than in grassland areas. In addition, the species had two development times: a short one (three months) and a delayed one (up to one year). Moreover, females were larger than males (weight and size) and the species’ sex ratio had a tendency toward female production. Auplopus subaurarius presented seven natural enemy species: Ceyxia longispina, Caenochrysis crotonis, Photochryptus sp.1, Photochryptus sp.2, Messatoporus sp., Ephuta icema and Sphaeropthalma sp. We emphasize the importance of wooded environments to maintain the A. subaurarius populations and their associated interactors, both spiders and natural enemies, as these environments can provide better life conditions than grassland areas. Furthermore, other solitary wasps that may have the same lifestyle of A. subaurarius can also be improved by natural forest conservation and by good silviculture plantation planning, which should consider ecological aspects of Atlantic Forest landscapes.

Conserving biodiversity requires an efficiently managed network of integrated protected areas (PAs). An extensive PA network safeguards the highly threatened Araucaria angustifolia forests and associated highland grasslands of Brazil and Argentina. However, the efficiency of this network in conserving biodiversity has been poorly explored. We used complex network analysis to evaluate the efficiency of the national and state PA network conserving avian taxonomic diversity. Modularity analysis unveiled unique bird subsets in distinct PA subsets, while nestedness revealed that the most species-rich PAs in each PA subset ('modules') protected species in the least species-rich PAs of the same subset. Species-rich PAs within modules are a priority for conserving birds, with modules complementing each other in conserving the regional avifauna. These patterns persisted when analyzing species subsets based on forest and grassland habitat use. Additionally, we identified key PAs for the conservation of threatened species and emphasized the importance of grassland PAs in this context. Our findings support integrated PA management and may help guiding the expansion of PAs or the PA network, resource allocation and improving PA management plans. We discuss the importance of holistic conservation planning for cultural landscapes, emphasizing the well-being of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and provide insights on implementation strategies. Our analytical framework involving multi-sourced biodiversity data collection, species incidence calculation, sampling bias assessment and network analysis can be readily adapted to evaluate PA efficiency elsewhere. • Species-rich protected areas safeguard species from species-poor protected areas. • Modules of protected areas complement each other in conserving the regional avifauna. • Key protected areas also conserve threatened species. • Findings optimize resource allocation and oversight for improved conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of one or more individuals in a forest is variable with the biotic and abiotic conditions of the environment. Therefore, the objective of this article was to obtain the age and growth estimates of Araucaria angustifolia, in different altitude gradients of occurrence of the species, and to identify the culmination points in the basal area. The study covered three areas with Araucaria Forest in Santa Catarina state, considering different altitudes of occurrence of the species. Non-destructive samples were collected from 226 trees, 76, 73 and 77 trees in areas 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Using the time series, diametric growth models were adjusted, allowing to obtain the curves of current annual increment and average annual increment. In area 1, the age range of the samples was 174 years, in area 2, it was 170 years and in area 3, it was 42 years. The average annual increment for areas 1, 2 and 3 were 0.33 cm, 0.51 cm and 1.01 cm, respectively. Araucaria manages to reach a high growth potential when it is in better development conditions (soil, nutrients, light...). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high rate of destruction of natural habitats has diminished fragments size, which negatively impacts small mammal community species richness and composition. We investigated the abundance of small non-flying mammal species in association with three landscape metrics: the size of the fragment (AREA); the shape index of the fragment (SHAPE); and the size of the central area of the fragment (CORE) in six forest fragments in a highly fragmented landscape of southern Brazil. Three rodent species (Akodon montensis, Oligoryzomys nigripes, Sooretamys angouya) and one marsupial species (Gracilinanus microtarsus) were captured in total. We used generalized linear models to test the influence of the landscape metrics on the abundance of the three most abundant species of small mammals captured (A. montensis, O. nigripes and S. angouya). Among the three species analyzed, A. montensis presented a significant negative association with the metric CORE; O. nigripes and S. angouya presented a positive association with the metric AREA and negative with the metric CORE. The negative association of A. montensis, O. nigripes and S. angouya with the core area of the fragments, and the absence of association of all species with the shape of the fragments indicate that these species might benefit from the effects of habitat fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human population growth constantly requires an increase in the production of food and products from the timber industry. To meet this demand, agriculture and planted forests are advancing over natural areas. In view of this, it is necessary to know the effects of land use for different purposes (grain production, pastures, planted forests, fruit production and among other uses) on the genetic diversity of populations of native species. This knowledge can assist in land use planning as well as in the development of conservation strategies for native species. In this study, we evaluated the effect of land use for agriculture (mainly for cereal production) and planted forests on the genetic diversity of Baccharis crispa Spreng., a herb native to South America. To achieve our goals, we compared population genetic data obtained with three molecular markers (microsatellites, inter-simple sequence repeat and isoenzymes) with data on land use for agriculture and planted forests from 15 different locations. Our results showed that regardless of the molecular marker used, the greater the use of land for agriculture and planted forests, the lower was the genetic diversity of B. crispa populations. Baccharis crispa is a semi-perennial species that needs at least one year to reach its reproductive period, which is prevented in agricultural areas due to the land being turned over or dissected with herbicides every 6 months. In the studied regions, the planted forests are of eucalypt and/or pine, which besides being species with a high production of allelopathic substances, produce strong shading and B. crispa is a species that inhabits open grassland that needs a high incidence of sunlight for development. The data obtained in our study can assist in the decision-making to use land in order to reconcile the production of supplies for humanity and for the conservation of nature., Competing Interests: None declared., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company.)

Copyright of Ciência Florestal (01039954) is the property of Ciencia Florestal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The riparian zone is a dynamic ecosystem formed by the interaction of aquatic and terrestrial components of rivers and serves as a source of the large wood (LW). We aimed to understand the LW dynamics and the LW influence on river morphology, sediment distribution, and flow velocity within three reaches of a low-order stream. The study was performed in a segment (770 m in length) of the Perdizes stream, located in Aparados da Serra National Park, southern Brazil. We framed the study by focusing three issues: i) the processes explaining the LW dynamics in the Araucaria Forest biome; ii) the effects of LW on the flow velocity along the study reaches, and iii) the presence of LW affecting the sediment longitudinal connectivity. The methodology consisted of: (i) collection of hydrological data (rainfall, discharge, and streamflow velocity), (ii) Perdizes stream characterization by topo-bathymetric survey and river-flow simulation with HEC-RAS 5.0.7 1D. and (iii) detailed field surveys of LW and bed sediments. The LW descriptions were performed at four moments (July 10, 2019; November 19, 2019; July 24, 2020; and December 18, 2020). Abundant LW, mainly from araucaria (Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze), was observed before meanders. A notable reduction in LW volume and an increased proportion of araucaria, compared to deciduous trees, were observed within the channel. Mass balance analysis indicated fluctuations in riparian vegetation biomass, emphasizing the connectivity between vegetation and the river. Streamflow velocity decreased in LW presence, from occurrence to the margin. Bed sediment diameters were consistently smaller in cross-sections with LW presence. The accumulation of smaller sediments with LW indicated partial downstream sediment disconnectivity. HEC-RAS simulations confirmed increased LW deposition in lower velocity zones. This understanding of fluvial dynamics contributes to effective natural environment management, especially in the Araucaria Forest context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southern Brazil's highland Araucaria Forest-Campos grassland mosaic is an ancient and iconic landscape in the globally important Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. Human land use has inflicted significant losses on the region's natural vegetation since the late 19th Century, but these have not been effectively quantified. This study uses land cover maps and forest survey data to assess how much of the mosaic's natural vegetation remains, the quality of this remnant vegetation, how it has changed since 1985, and the extent to which it is protected. Natural vegetation covers 13.9–37.3 % of the Araucaria Forest-Campos mosaic's core regions and 13.0–38.0 % of the whole area, depending on the dataset. Most remnant areas are degraded and remaining forests have low average integrity. In only minorities of forest plots are the landscape's characteristic Araucaria angustifolia trees still present (23.5 % in the Araucaria Forest region), moderately abundant (11.4 %), or >50 % of the canopy (0.5 %). Major expansions in cropland and forest plantations between 1985 and 2018 drove net/absolute losses of 12.7 %/24.1 % in the mosaic's natural forest and 38.1 %/43.2 % in its natural grasslands. Protected Areas and Indigenous Territories cover 4.6 % of the core mosaic and 6.5 % of the whole region. These conserve important remnant vegetation, though grasslands are under-protected. By analysing and integrating diverse and complementary data sources, we significantly improve on and add nuance to previous estimates of the quantity and quality of Araucaria Forest remnants. This study also provides the first robust, quantitative estimate of remaining highland grassland across southern Brazil. [Display omitted] • Brazil's highland Araucaria Forest-Campos grassland mosaic is highly threatened. • Combining datasets gives key insights into both vegetation coverage and quality. • Natural vegetation covers 13–38 % of the whole mosaic and 14–37 % of its core regions. • Most remnant areas are degraded and remaining forests have low average integrity. • Campos grasslands are less protected and declining even more steeply than forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical stratification is a recognized pattern in tropical forests; however, biotic and abiotic factors driving this pattern are little explored. We investigated the influence of daily climatic variation in the vertical stratification of fruit-feeding butterfly assemblages sampled with bait traps in the understory and canopy of a subtropical Atlantic Forest. Overall, 1347 individuals belonging to 38 species of fruit-feeding butterflies were recorded. The canopy and understory are distinct concerning diurnal but not nocturnal microclimatic conditions, leading to different responses in community structure. Richness did not differ between strata, but we observed an effect of stratum in interaction with variation in microclimatic conditions, with the canopy increasing in abundance compared to the understory. Temperature homogenization at night can hinder vertical stratification in richness, while microclimatic variation influences species abundance. The species composition was affected by strata with high turnover in the understory, without an effect of microclimatic variables in beta diversity. In addition to the difference in composition, our study shows that the understory was represented mainly by species from Satyrinae, while the canopy presented species from different clades. This could be an artefact of habitat structure, and the species adapted to the closed forest have a dispersal limitation compared to in the canopy. These findings help us to better understand the mechanisms generating distinct patterns of vertical stratification of fruit-feeding butterflies in the Neotropics and provide new insights into the role of microclimatic conditions in the structure of insect assemblages.

Copyright of Revista Tellus is the property of Revista Tellus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Projection techniques of the diametric structure, such as Transition Matrix and Movement Ratio, have been frequently used in Araucaria Forest, but there is no information about the potential of the Wahlenberg method. In addition, studies on the subject hardly had enough data to assess projections with observed data. Thus, the objective herein was to evaluate the Transition Matrix, Movement Ratio and Wahlenberg Methods in projecting the diametric structure in a Mixed Ombrophylous Forest in the Center-South region of Paraná, Brazil, and compare the projections with observed data. The study was carried out with data from 25 permanent plots of one hectare each, installed in the National Forest of Irati. The measurements of these plots occurred every three years, from 2002 to 2017, covering 15 years of monitoring. The database applied to the three methods used measurements from two periods: three years (2002-2005) and six years (2002-2008). With this, the projections were made for multiple periods, which enabled comparing them with the observed data. The accuracy of the generated projections was assessed by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and the Reynolds Index. It was observed that there was a reduction tendency in the projection of the total number of trees in the forest for the three tested methods in the analyzed periods. Among the analyzed methods, the Transition Matrix was more accurate, with an interval of three years (until 2011) and six years. However, it should be noted that the method still has limitations of use in relation to the time between projections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the need for identification of forest species, especially for detection of illegal wood trade, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of colorimetry for differentiation of Inga vera Willd., Muellera campestris (Mart. ex Benth.) M.J. Silva & A.M.G. Azevedo and Machaerium paraguariense Hassl., species of the Fabaceae family, native to the Araucaria Forest in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Discs at breast height were collected from three trees of each species and the colorimetric parameters (L*, a*, b*, C* and h) and visible spectra were evaluated in different radial position of the trunk (near bark, intermediate and near pith) and three different anatomical sections (transversal, radial and tangential surfaces). Mean values of hue angle (h) among the colorimetric parameters resulted in the highest potential for species discrimination. With respect to radial trunk position and anatomical section, parameters a* (green-red) and h were not statistically different, independent of the wood samples evaluated. For other parameters (L*, b* and C*), each species presented distinct results. Principal component analysis with second derivative of visible spectra discriminated all species. Colorimetry associated with chemometrics allowed to distinguish I. vera, M. campestris and M. paraguariense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explored the influence of edaphic variables and forest leaf cover on natural regeneration in a remnant of a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (MOF) in southern Brazil. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to elucidate the heterogeneity of edaphic and leaf cover variables among the sampling units, and the variables exhibiting the strongest correlations with the sampling units were selected. Subsequently, these variables were used to explain floristic patterns using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). In PCA, the leaf area index explained only some variation in the data, and there was obvious heterogeneity in edaphic variables among the sample units. In the main canonical axis of the CCA, Miconia cubatanensis, Myrcia multiflora, Casearia decandra, and Myrsine coriacea showed greater correlation with variables associated with soil acidity. In contrast, Allophylus guaraniticus and Cupania vernalis showed a high correlation with variables related to bases. Overall, the analysis of soil physicochemical characteristics can allow for the more precise identification of indicator species for the restoration of remnant of MOF in southern Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclones are an increasing disturbance in the subtropical region of South America, but their impacts over the forests are still poorly documented. Here, we evaluate the effects of an extratropical cyclone over tree mortality in Araucaria Forest remnants in southern Brazil. We surveyed 116 sites (10 × 20 m each) and collected data on all tree individuals presenting DBH ≥ 4.8 cm before (2009) and after (2014) the occurrence of an extratropical cyclone. Using GLM models, we checked how the cyclone occurrence, different plant traits (DBH, trunk branching, wood density, successional group and evolutionary distinctiveness) and site characteristics (basal area, exposure, landscape protection, nearest border distance, cyclone border distance and the presence of native bamboo species) could impact tree mortality. The GLM model selection shows that the lowest AIC model considers all predictors separately and their interaction with the cyclone. The results showed that the cyclone occurrence and some site characteristics (bamboo presence, site exposure, landscape protection, nearest border distance and cyclone border distance) and plant traits (successional group and evolutionary distinctiveness) are related to tree mortality. The intense deforestation and fragmentation of the Araucaria Forest coupled with the increase in cyclone frequency expected for the region due to climate change may increase mortality rates of these forests, affecting their resilience and phylogenetic structure. Further biodiversity conservation efforts in the Araucaria Forest need to consider the characteristics of sites for enabling the protection of forest remnants in areas under different exposures to cyclone impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anuran amphibians are extremely sensitive to changes in the environment and are severely threatened with extinction by human activities. The conversion of natural habitats to tree plantations is expanding in southern Brazil, emphasising the need for both scientists and society to understand the potential effects of this practice on animal communities. Here, we evaluated whether the richness, composition and abundance of leaf‐litter frogs change among natural forests, plantations of the native Araucaria angustifolia and plantations of an introduced pine Pinus spp. We obtained data on the composition of the leaf‐litter frog assemblages by sampling natural forest and tree plantations in the Passo Fundo National Forest, southern Brazil. We sampled leaf‐litter frogs using pitfall trap arrays from March 2017 to February 2018. We used generalised linear mixed models to estimate the effect of habitat type on leaf‐litter frogs while considering variation induced by season effect and spatial autocorrelation. We recorded 311 individual leaf‐litter frogs belonging to nine species and five families. We did not find differences in species richness and composition, total abundance and abundance of the most frequent species Physalaemus cuvieri, P. carrizorum and Rhinella icterica among Pinus plantations, Araucaria angustifolia plantations and natural forests. These results indicate that tree plantations and natural forests can be equally suitable to leaf‐litter frogs. Such suitability is promoted by the light levels of management exerted on these plantations, the old age of the plantations and the heterogeneous mosaic of habitat types maintained within this National Forest. Our study shows that some management decisions can preserve habitat quality to wildlife in modified landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juliomys ossitenuis Costa, Pavan, Leite and Fagundes, 2007 was previously known in Brazil from the Atlantic Forest of the Southeastern Region to the Dense Ombrophilous Forest and Araucaria Forest of the Southern Region. The new record from Chapecó, in Santa Catarina state, confirmed by morphological and cytogenetic analyses, extends its distribution about 300 km westwards. This is the westernmost record for the species, in a region characterized by the transition between deciduous and Araucaria forests.

Because of the need for identification of forest species, especially for detection of illegal wood trade, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of colorimetry for differentiation of Inga vera Willd., Muellera campestris (Mart. ex Benth.) M.J. Silva & A.M.G. Azevedo and Machaerium paraguariense Hassl., species of the Fabaceae family, native to the Araucaria Forest in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Discs at breast height were collected from three trees of each species and the colorimetric parameters (L*, a*, b*, C* and h) and visible spectra were evaluated in different radial position of the trunk (near bark, intermediate and near pith) and three different anatomical sections (transversal, radial and tangential surfaces). Mean values of hue angle (h) among the colorimetric parameters resulted in the highest potential for species discrimination. With respect to radial trunk position and anatomical section, parameters a* (green-red) and h were not statistically different, independent of the wood samples evaluated. For other parameters (L*, b* and C*), each species presented distinct results. Principal component analysis with second derivative of visible spectra discriminated all species. Colorimetry associated with chemometrics allowed to distinguish I. vera, M. campestris and M. paraguariense.

Ecological succession is one of the most important processes in forest ecosystems, still poorly understood in the highland Araucaria forests of Southern Brazil. Here we investigated this process by describing functional composition changes in response to a vegetation successional mosaic in four forest fragments in the municipality of Urubici, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Two fragments were classified as in advanced stage of succession and two were classified in early stage. The following functional traits were determined: wood density, leaf area, specific leaf area, dispersal syndrome and leaf phenology. For each fragment, we determined the community weighted mean (CWM) and the functional diversity (RaoQ). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t and Mann-Whitney tests and Principal Components Analysis. We found that the successional stage is a relevant source of functional heterogeneity. At the advanced-successional stage, tree communities have harder woods, more membranous and semi-deciduous leaves and higher functional diversity. Conversely, at the early successional stages, forests have softer wood, more coriaceous leaves and lower functional diversity. We concluded that the studied forests showed a high functional composition heterogeneity, partially determined by a successional mosaic. While perennial species with lower values of specific leaf area and wood density predominated in the early successional areas, semi-deciduous species with higher values of specific leaf area and wood density prevailed in the late successional ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Urbanization changes natural environments making them inhospitable to autochthonous fauna. However, studies have shown that certain groups and animal species tolerate urban habitat or even benefit from it as is the case of some bats. This study assesses the diversity of bats in Curitiba, Southern Brazil, providing a basis for the discussion on their conservation, management, ecological services provide, and the critical evaluation of their role in the zoonoses of interest for public health. The data was compiled from a combination of museum, historical and recent literature (1824 to 2020), records to identify which bat species have actually been captured or recorded in Curitiba. The results indicate 29 species (five of them threatened with extinction) from four families: Phyllostomidae, Noctilionidae, Molossidae and Vespertilionidae. Insectivorous bats (Molossidae and Vespertilionidae) represent 62.1% of the species recorded; and the primarily frugivorous (Phyllostomidae) 24.1%, followed by nectarivorous/polinivorous species (6.9%), insectivorous/frugivorous (ca. 3.4%) and piscivorous/insectivorous (ca. 3.4%). Fruit-eating batsseem to prefer urban green areas while insectivores tend to occupy human-made structures. Our results show that this high-growth potential diversity bears both a numerical and ecological relevance. It is worth remembering that Curitiba is in Brazil’s subtropical area, where the richness of bat species is lower, and the predominant species are different from those in the tropical region of the country. Finally, studies on the natural history of bats (feeding, reproduction, roosting, etc.) in Curitiba are scarce and urgently necessary given to the current pandemic scenario where these traditionally stigmatized animals have been even more depreciated by public opinion.

Abstract Iguaçu National Park represents the largest fragment of Inland Atlantic Rainforest of Paraná state. The vegetation is predominantly seasonal semideciduous forest, in the areas of Foz do Iguaçu and Capanema and a transition of this with Araucaria forest, in the Céu Azul area. This work aimed to recognize the genera and species of Rubiaceae occurring in the Park, through monthly collections from August 2013 to July 2014, supplemented with sporadic collections from May 2018 to April 2019. Thirty-five species were recorded, belonging to 19 genera. The most representative genera were Palicourea and Psychotria with five species, Galianthe, Manettia, Borreria with three, Geophila and Coccocypselum with two, and the other genera with only one species each. The areas with the major species richness were Foz do Iguaçu, with 24, of which four are exclusive to this area, followed by Céu Azul with 22 species, of which eight are exclusive. Of the 35 species recorded, seven occur in all areas and in both forest formations, seven occur only in the Araucaria forest area, and 20 occur only in the seasonal semideciduous forest. Borreria orientalis is highlighted due to its restricted distribution in Brazil, occurring only in Paraná, and Manettia tweedieana is considered endangered.

Questions: Cold temperatures and freezing may hinder the process of forest expansion in moist climate regions, as predicted by the frost hypothesis. We examined the role of frost on the survival and regrowth of tree saplings under field conditions of open grasslands. Location: Cambará do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul. Methods: We established a field experiment protecting one of two groups of saplings of forest species from frost in grassland areas during the winter. We monitored 672 saplings from a total of seven species for 56 days. Saplings were brought back to the laboratory to evaluate regrowth rate and height. Survival curves of the two groups were compared using a Kaplan–Meier estimator. Correlation analysis was undertaken to estimate the relationship between survival and regrowth rate and a variance analysis was used to compare plant height between both groups. Results: Species respond distinctly to frost incidence, with some not being affected by frost (two gymnosperms and Myrcianthes pungens). Most protected saplings had a higher above-ground survival rate than unprotected ones (96.4% and 73.2%, respectively). Moreover, saplings that were damaged by frost showed differences in regrowth and height according to species identity, notwithstanding the fact that those from protected plots showed higher regrowth and height (88% and 25.65 cm compared to 68% and 17.15 cm). Conclusions: Our results showed clear negative effects of frost on the survival rate of aerial parts of saplings during the winter and the regeneration of damaged plants. Species-specific traits can offer frost resistance; however, together with other disturbances, frost may hinder the establishment of forest trees over grassland areas where frost events are common during the winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Obama Carbayo, Álvarez-Presas, Olivares, Marques, Froehlich & Riutort, 2013 currently comprises 41 species, most of them from Brazilian rainforests. This study describes three new species, viz. Obama autumna sp. nov., Obama leticiae sp. nov. and Obama aureolineata sp. nov., from remnants of Mixed Ombrophilous Forest in southern Brazil, based on an integrative approach and analyses their relationships within the genus. Obama autumna and O. aureolineata show distinctive colour patterns, contrasting yellow and black, which is unusual in species of the genus. The three species can be easily distinguished from their congeners by their external features and a combination of anatomical characteristics, such as the pharyngeal shape, shape and arrangement of the prostatic vesicle and anatomy of the penis papilla. The morphological hypotheses are corroborated by three species delimitation methods (ABGD, PTP and GMYC) and by phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene using maximum likelihood estimation and Bayesian inference. Furthermore, our phylogenetic analyses point out that Obama may be subdivided into three main clades, containing a variable number of well supported groups, the relationships of which remain unresolved. Obama autumna belongs to a distinct clade in relation to O. aureolineata and O. leticiae. Obama aureolineata belongs to one of the well supported groups, having a close relationship with O. apeva. Obama autumna may be more closely related to O. anthropophila and O. decidualis and O. leticiae to O. braunsi. However, the low nodal support does not allow the phylogenetic relationships of these species to be clearly established. We discuss morphological knowledge gaps in Obama , as well as issues regarding analyses based on molecular markers, which should be addressed to clarify relationships within the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planting seedlings remains the most popular method of forest restoration, but passive restoration may become a new promise to reduce costs, despite concerns about its efficacy. Here, we present a study of a riparian forest recovery program in the Southern Atlantic Forest, Brazil. The objective was to compare planting seedlings and passive restoration eight years since restoration started and assess the influence of cattle presence in the restoring areas. We analyzed the structure, diversity, and composition of the woody community in the upper (canopy) and lower strata (understory) versus six environmental variables, including edaphic, landscape and geographical variables, restoration method (planting seedlings versus passive restoration), presence of cattle inside the restoration areas, and presence of adjacent crop plantations. Passive restoration generated a more diverse woody community and a higher proportion of climax and zoochoric species in the lower stratum than active restoration. Cattle presence was significantly associated with lower species richness and density of plants, as well as a higher proportion of pioneer species and low proportion of zoochoric and climax species. The results suggest that cattle can delay forest succession, besides reducing diversity. Passive restoration should be considered suitable for the region, and the efficiency of cattle exclusion needs to be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Species of Acanthaceae are predominantly associated with conserved forest environments such as Iguaçu National Park (PARNA Iguaçu), which is composed of Semideciduous Seasonal Forest and Araucaria forest. The aim of this work was to perform a floristic study of Acanthaceae of PARNA Iguaçu, with botanical illustrations, an identification key and descriptions of the species. Collections were carried out monthly from August 2015 to July 2016, in the areas of Céu Azul, Capanema and Foz do Iguaçu. The individuals collected were deposited in the UNOP herbarium and the specimens present in the herbaria EVB, HCF, MBM and UNOP, as well as in the virtual herbaria Reflora and SpeciesLink, were analyzed. A total of 13 native species were recorded from Atlantic Forest, distributed in seven genera. Justicia was the most representative, with five species. In all, 12 new records were made for PARNA Iguaçu, of which eight are new records for Semideciduous Seasonal Forest. Of the species found, three are threatened with extinction, one of which is considered vulnerable and two are categorized as endangered, which reinforces the role of PARNA Iguaçu in in-situ conservation in the state of Paraná.

Viviania linostigma is restricted to the Brazilian territory, considered a threatened and endemic species of a small region in the Araucaria Forest. This species has been recorded only in southeast Santa Catarina State and the extreme northeast of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Here, we report four new records of V. linostigma for Rio Grande do Sul, expanding its known distribution by 262 km to the south and improving knowledge about the conservation status of the species. These novelties reinforce that species conservation requires more investment in fieldwork, especially in little sampled regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iguaçu National Park represents the largest fragment of Inland Atlantic Rainforest of Paraná state. The vegetation is predominantly seasonal semideciduous forest, in the areas of Foz do Iguaçu and Capanema and a transition of this with Araucaria forest, in the Céu Azul area. This work aimed to recognize the genera and species of Rubiaceae occurring in the Park, through monthly collections from August 2013 to July 2014, supplemented with sporadic collections from May 2018 to April 2019. Thirty-five species were recorded, belonging to 19 genera. The most representative genera were Palicourea and Psychotria with five species, Galianthe, Manettia, Borreria with three, Geophila and Coccocypselum with two, and the other genera with only one species each. The areas with the major species richness were Foz do Iguaçu, with 24, of which four are exclusive to this area, followed by Céu Azul with 22 species, of which eight are exclusive. Of the 35 species recorded, seven occur in all areas and in both forest formations, seven occur only in the Araucaria forest area, and 20 occur only in the seasonal semideciduous forest. Borreria orientalis is highlighted due to its restricted distribution in Brazil, occurring only in Paraná, and Manettia tweedieana is considered endangered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of Acanthaceae are predominantly associated with conserved forest environments such as Iguaçu National Park (PARNA Iguaçu), which is composed of Semideciduous Seasonal Forest and Araucaria forest. The aim of this work was to perform a floristic study of Acanthaceae of PARNA Iguaçu, with botanical illustrations, an identification key and descriptions of the species. Collections were carried out monthly from August 2015 to July 2016, in the areas of Céu Azul, Capanema and Foz do Iguaçu. The individuals collected were deposited in the UNOP herbarium and the specimens present in the herbaria EVB, HCF, MBM and UNOP, as well as in the virtual herbaria Reflora and SpeciesLink, were analyzed. A total of 13 native species were recorded from Atlantic Forest, distributed in seven genera. Justicia was the most representative, with five species. In all, 12 new records were made for PARNA Iguaçu, of which eight are new records for Semideciduous Seasonal Forest. Of the species found, three are threatened with extinction, one of which is considered vulnerable and two are categorized as endangered, which reinforces the role of PARNA Iguaçu in in-situ conservation in the state of Paraná. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Biological invasion is a major threat to global biodiversity and ecosystem services. We examined the functional traits similarity between a set of native and non-native invasive tree species from the Southern Brazilian subtropical mixed forest, part of an important global hotspot for biodiversity conservation. We hypothesized that invasive species occupy marginal niche spaces. We ordered the species using the Principal Component Analysis based on their wood density, leaf area, and specific leaf area. These are all important traits that summarize essential ecological strategies associated with resource acquisition and conservation. Functional overlaps between non-native and native species were analyzed through kernel density estimation of continuous traits data. While native and non-native invasive species were distributed along the same functional gradients, the position of non-native species in the functional space is species and traits specific. We concluded that within Brazilian subtropical mixed forests, the functional dissimilarity as a key factor in invasion success could not be generalized for all species and traits.

Abstract The present paper describes a new species of Actinote (Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae, Acraeini) from southeastern Brazil, and describes the morphology of the adults and immature stages of this species. Actinote mantiqueira sp. nov. occurs in the Serra da Mantiqueira and Serra do Mar in the Atlantic Forest. Adults from this population are very similar to other species of the “orangish red mimicry complex”, including Actinote alalia (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1860), its sister species, restricted to the mountains of southern Brazil. Actinote mantiqueira sp. nov. and A. alalia are distinguishable by wing pattern, male genitalia and larval morphology, and have strongly allopatric distributions. A redescription of Actinote alalia is also provided.

Knowledge about the effects of fire on tree communities of Araucaria forests (AF) is scarce, although this physiognomy is among the most threatened ones in the entire Brazilian hotspot Atlantic Forest. With this study, we sought to answer the following questions: After three years of the fire, how has the soil of this forest remnant been recovering? Are fires in the AF able to change the structure, composition and species richness of tree community? The survey was carried out in a remnant of AF in an integral protected area in Brazil. Two areas were selected, one that has no fire history in the last 30 years (unburned) and another that burned recently. In each area 25 permanent plots of 20 × 10 m were allocated and all shrub-tree vegetation with DBH ≥ 4.8 cm was sampled. Our initial expectations were largely refuted, since we found no differences between the two areas in composition and richness of tree species and in most soil environmental variables, but only in the community structure. The majority of the dead individuals were concentrated in the smallest diameter classes (DBH < 9.8 cm). The only soil environmental variables that presented differences were pH and organic matter. Our study shows that the AF presents a significant resistance against forest fires, probably due to the evolutionary history of this physiognomy with fire. Nevertheless, several individuals died, so it is also important to highlight that preventive measures against fires are always relevant for conservation of this endangered physiognomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ciência Florestal (01039954) is the property of Ciencia Florestal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Ciência Florestal (01039954) is the property of Ciencia Florestal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Os índices morfométricos podem ser usados para subsidiar o entendimento da dinâmica de florestas naturais. Diante disso, objetivou-se descrever e avaliar as características morfométricas e dendrométricas de Araucaria angustifolia, como subsídio para compreensão da estrutura da floresta natural de araucária. Os dados foram mensurados em três municípios de Santa Catarina, considerando diferentes altitudes de ocorrência da espécie, com amostragem de 247 árvores, utilizando o método de Bitterlich, sendo medida a circunferência a 1,30 m do solo, altura total e de inserção de copa e raios de copa. As relações interdimensionais das árvores foram descritas por meio de índices morfométricos. O sítio 2 apresentou árvores de maior porte em relação ao diâmetro e área de copa. O sítio 3 apresentou a maior densidade de árvores (403 árvores ha-1), enquanto nos sítios 1 e 2 foram observadas 362 e 232 árvores ha-1, respectivamente. No sítio 3, a maior parte das árvores apresentou proporção de copa superior a 50% e formal de copa menor que 1, indicando árvores de copas mais estreitas e largas. O diâmetro da árvore apresentou correlação negativa e superior a 70% com o grau de esbeltez. Nos três sítios, o diâmetro apresentou correlação positiva com o diâmetro de copa. Morphometric indices can be used to support the understanding of natural forest dynamics. The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate the morphometric and dendrometric characteristics of Araucaria angustifolia, to understanding of the structure of natural Araucaria Forest. The data were obtained in three counties of Santa Catarina State, considering different altitudes of occurrence of the species. We sampled 247 trees, using the Bitterlich method, and we measured the circumferences at 1.30 m from the ground, total height and crown insertion height and crown radius. The trees interdimensional relationships were described through morphometric indices. Site 2 showed larger trees considering crown area diameter. Site 3 had the highest tree density (403 trees ha-1), while sites 1 and 2 showed 362 and 232 trees ha-1, respectively. At site 3, most trees presented crown ratio greater than 50% and crown fullness ratio lower than 1, indicating trees with narrower and larger crowns. The tree diameter showed a negative correlation, higher than 70% with the degree of slenderness. The diameter presented a positive correlation with the crown diameter in the three sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Woody vegetation encroachment in natural grasslands is a concern in many parts of the world. We evaluated the effect of Baccharis uncinella (Asteraceae) encroachment on grassland vegetation in southern Brazil, in terms of plant composition and richness. We conducted a vegetation survey in 12 plots of 10 × 10 m. The study site was a forest-grassland mosaic where management practices have been excluded since 1994. Six plots were located in areas without B. uncinella and the remaining six in different densities of it. Within each plot, we randomly placed three subplots of 1 × 1 m where we identified plant species and estimated their cover. Vegetation height, total plant cover and standing dead biomass were also estimated. We recorded 46 species belonging to 15 families; 34 of them were in plots with B. uncinella (29% grasses, 44% shrubs, 24% forbs and 3% trees) and 37 in plots without it (27% grasses, 35% shrubs and 38% forbs). B. uncinella affected grassland community by reducing total plant richness and decreasing the number of forb species. B. uncinella may alter the availability of resources, affecting the ability of forbs to establish and grow. The capacity of B. uncinella to occupy adjacent open-canopy ecosystems and to suppress grassland plants indicates that, without any management practice, plant richness in Brazilian highland grasslands may decrease. This study presents empirical data that may contribute to conservation efforts of forest-grasslands mosaics in southern Brazil.

Studies on forest regeneration can provide information about species that will form a forest in the future. However, few studies emphasize this component. This study evaluated tree and shrub regeneration in a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest using 180 sample plots with 2.5 m radius, where individuals whose height was ≥ 50 cm and diameter at breast height (DBH) was ≤ 5.0 cm. The sample consisted of 4,078 individuals and 89 species. The Shannon index (3.64) and the Pielou index (0.81) showed a high diversity and balance regarding the abundance of species. The most significant species for regeneration were Allophylus edulis, Casearia decandra, Cupania vernalis, Matayba elaeagnoides, and Myrsine coriacea. The results show that not all of the most important species tend exhibit an inverted J shape, indicating the possibility of imbalance between the mortality and recruitment rates of these species in regeneration.

Plant functional traits have been recognized as important factors related to the ecological strategies of species in forest ecosystems. We examined the relationships between functional traits and both tree species performance and environmental conditions in a subtropical forest in Brazil. Over four years (2008-2012), we investigated how demographic rates were related to functional traits (wood density, leaf area and tree height) of 20 species sampled within 50 plots of 10 × 20 m, which had previously evaluated as to environmental conditions. Non-metric multidimensional scaling was used to order the species by their functional traits. The demographic rates were fit a posteriori to the ordination, with significant rates (p < 0.05) plotted as vectors. The relationships between environmental conditions and the community-weighted means (CWMs) of trait values were verified using redundancy analysis. CWM wood density was positively correlated with soil pH. CWM leaf area and CWM maximum tree height were both negatively correlated with altitude and positively correlated with soil magnesium (Mg) content. The taller species with lower wood density, which occupied the forest canopy, had a greater diameter increment and lower recruitment than did the shortest species with higher wood density. The shorter species with higher wood density, which occupied the understory, had greater recruitment and a greater increase in abundance than did the taller/lower-wood-density species. Our study (i) revealed changes in the forest related to the light environment, with an increase in the relative participation of shade-tolerant species with higher wood densities, and (ii) detected small-scale spatial variation in community traits as a response to variations in soil chemical properties and topography.

Trophic niche of Dendropsophus minutus (Anura: Hylidae) in southern Brazil. The feeding biology of the Neotropical tree frog Dendropsophus minutus is described based on identifcation of the items consumed by the anuran. Samples were collected monthly samplings for one year in an Araucaria forest in the state of Paraná in southern Brazil. Of the total of 101 gastrointestines examined, 51 were empty or contained digested remains or plant items. The 50 samples of gastrointestinal contents contained three classes and 10 orders of arthropods. The results suggest that D. minutus is a generalist predator that feeds on arthropods, primarily those in the orders Araneae, Lepidoptera, and Diptera. The diet varies seasonally depending upon prey activity, which determines the breadth of the trophic niche of the frog.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to estimate the basal area, through traditional sampling processes and geostatistical interpolation, and compare it to the forest census carried out in 25 ha of a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest remnant. The sampling simulations were structured for the systematic sampling, two stages, and simple random, in intensities 5, 11, and 22% of the potential sample units of 25 × 25 m. The increase in sample intensity for the systematic sampling and two stages revealed a higher level of spatial behavior details of the basal area, whereas when comparing the census with sampling, it was observed that the geostatistical interpolation shows ability to improve the accuracy of the basal area estimation.