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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The erosion of biodiversity and biomass in the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot

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Author(s):
de Lima, Renato A. F. [1, 2] ; Oliveira, Alexandre A. [1] ; Pitta, Gregory R. [1] ; de Gasper, Andre L. [3] ; Vibrans, Alexander C. [4] ; Chave, Jerome [5] ; ter Steege, Hans [2, 6] ; Prado, Paulo I. [1]
Total Authors: 8
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Ecol, Rua Matao, Trav 14, 321, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Naturalis Biodivers Ctr, Trop Bot, Darwinweg 2, NL-2333 CR Leiden - Netherlands
[3] Univ Reg Blumenau, Dept Ciencias Nat, Rua Antonio da Veiga 140, BR-89030903 Blumenau - Brazil
[4] Univ Reg Blumenau, Dept Engn Florestal, Rua Sao Paulo 3250, BR-89030000 Blumenau - Brazil
[5] Univ Paul Sabatier, UMR 5174 CNRS, Lab Evolut & Divers Biol, IRD, 118 Route Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse - France
[6] Vrije Univ Amsterdam, Syst Ecol, De Boelelaan 1087, NL-1081 HV Amsterdam - Netherlands
Total Affiliations: 6
Document type: Journal article
Source: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS; v. 11, n. 1 DEC 11 2020.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Tropical forests are being deforested worldwide, and the remaining fragments are suffering from biomass and biodiversity erosion. Quantifying this erosion is challenging because ground data on tropical biodiversity and biomass are often sparse. Here, we use an unprecedented dataset of 1819 field surveys covering the entire Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. We show that 83-85% of the surveys presented losses in forest biomass and tree species richness, functional traits, and conservation value. On average, forest fragments have 25-32% less biomass, 23-31% fewer species, and 33, 36, and 42% fewer individuals of late-successional, large-seeded, and endemic species, respectively. Biodiversity and biomass erosion are lower inside strictly protected conservation units, particularly in large ones. We estimate that biomass erosion across the Atlantic Forest remnants is equivalent to the loss of 55-70 thousand km(2) of forests or US\$2.3-2.6 billion in carbon credits. These figures have direct implications on mechanisms of climate change mitigation. Quantifying forest degradation and biodiversity losses is necessary to inform conservation and restoration policies. Here the authors analyze a large dataset for the Atlantic Forest in South America to quantify losses in forest biomass and tree species richness, functional traits, and conservation value. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 99/08515-0 - Methods for biodiversity inventory of arboreal species
Grantee:Hilton Thadeu Zarate do Couto
Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 04/04820-3 - Fauna and flora from forest fragments in the northwest region of São Paulo State: the basis to biodiversity conservational studies
Grantee:Orlando Necchi Junior
Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 99/09635-0 - Diversity, dynamics and conservation in São Paulo State Forests: 40ha of permanent parcels
Grantee:Ricardo Ribeiro Rodrigues
Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 13/08722-5 - The role of functional diversity in structuring tropical tree communities: a model-based approach
Grantee:Renato Augusto Ferreira de Lima
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral