| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Campos, Bruna Helena
;
Pilon, Natashi Aparecida Lima
;
Goncalves, Lucas
;
Ivanauskas, Natalia Macedo
;
Durigan, Giselda
Total Authors: 5
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | Biota Neotropica; v. 23, n. 1, p. 10-pg., 2023-01-01. |
| Abstract | |
Tropical grasslands have been systematically neglected worldwide in maps, conservation policies, and ecological studies. After eradicating invasive pine trees from a Cerrado reserve in southeastern Brazil, an unprecedented grassy ecosystem arose in recent satellite images. In the field, we confirmed the first record of wet grasslands with termite mounds - locally named campo com murundus. beyond 21 degrees S in the Sao Paulo state. Besides reporting this occurrence, we sampled the two plant communities forming this peculiar vegetation type (the mounds and the waterlogged matrix around them) to investigate if they are floristically and functionally distinct. We also explored how these two communities relate to those of the surrounding open vegetation types (savanna, dry and wet grassland). Woody plants were recorded on the mounds but not in the matrix, although the two communities share some ground layer species. Compared to the adjacent vegetation types, the mounds were floristically distinct and functionally more balanced in growth forms, dispersal syndrome, and tolerance to waterlogging. We hope this borderline record of campo com murundus can stimulate the search for other unnoticed remnants out of their known occurrence region, triggering efforts for their conservation and studies to improve comprehension of these iconic ecosystems. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 20/01378-0 - Grasslands in the State of São Paulo: diagnosis, management and conservation |
| Grantee: | Giselda Durigan |
| Support Opportunities: | BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 19/03463-8 - Influence of environmental factors and fire history on structure, diversity and composition of savanna grasslands. |
| Grantee: | Bruna Helena de Campos |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |