Ecological filters for regeneration of pioneer tree species in degraded forests infested by lianas

• Grant number: 11/14517-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems Ecology
• Principal researcher: Pedro Henrique Santin Brancalion
• Grantee: Ricardo Gomes César
• Home Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Most of forest patches in southeast Brazil are surrounded by anthropic landscape and dominated by lianas. To know the role of such plants for the regeneration of these degraded patches is therefore essential for elaborating plans of ecological restoration. In such a context, the present project aims at studying the ecological filters that affect the regeneration of tree species in degraded forest patches infested by lianas. The project will be carried on in a 35 acre forest patch in Piracicaba, São Paulo state, Brazil. Experimental design consists in placing 20 permanent circular plots with a 10 m radius in very degraded vegetation (mostly devoid of trees and dominated by lianas) and 10 in degraded vegetation (presence of bigger trees, but still covered by lianas); additionally, half the plots in both situations will undergo liana cutting, while the other half won`t. In each plot, the following parameters shall be evaluated: (1) seed rain; (2) germination rate of fifteen indigenous tree species, including pioneers, initial secondary and late secondary; (3) initial growth of seedlings belonging to the same species of the germination test; (4) growth rate of individuals with DAP > 5 cm using dendrometer bands. We believe that the future results of this work may support the definition of methodologies for the restoration of degraded forest patches commonly found in anthropic landscapes, therefore adding to biodiversity conservation and reestablishment of ecosystem services in such patches.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CESAR, RICARDO GOMES; PECCHI LEITE, HELLEN PATRICIA; MARTINS, JULIA TEIXEIRA; AMARANTE, KEROLIN MOREIRA; TORRES, BIANCA FROTA; MELLO, FELIPE NERY ARANTES; VIDAL, EDSON JOSE; SANTIN BRANCALION, PEDRO HENRIQUE. Shift in Abundance From Seedling to Juvenile Gives Lianas Advantage Over Trees: A Case Study in the Atlantic Forest Hotspot. TROPICAL CONSERVATION SCIENCE, v. 11, OCT 31 2018. Web of Science Citations: 0.

CESAR, RICARDO GOMES; ROTHER, DEBORA CRISTINA; BRANCALION, PEDRO H. S. Early Response of Tree Seed Arrival After Liana Cutting in a Disturbed Tropical Forest. TROPICAL CONSERVATION SCIENCE, v. 10, AUG 21 2017. Web of Science Citations: 3.

CESAR, RICARDO G.; HOLL, KAREN D.; GIRAO, VANESSA J.; MELLO, FELIPE N. A.; VIDAL, EDSON; ALVES, MARCELO C.; BRANCALION, PEDRO H. S. Evaluating climber cutting as a strategy to restore degraded tropical forests. Biological Conservation, v. 201, p. 309-313, SEP 2016. Web of Science Citations: 7.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

CÉSAR, Ricardo Gomes. Hyper-abundant lianas as ecological filters for secondary succession in degraded forest remnants. 2014. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz Piracicaba.