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Fire effects on Atlantic Forest sites from a composition, structure and functional perspective
L Z G Carvalho1, K G Massi1,2, M P Coutinho3
1Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Centro Nacional de Monitoramento e Alertas de Desastres Naturais - CEMADEN, Programa de Pós-graduação em Desastres Naturais, São José dos Campos, SP, Brasil.
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista Brasleira De Biologia
|January 11, 2023
Summary
Atlantic Forest fires alter tree composition but not diversity or function. Pioneer species quickly recolonize burned areas, indicating rapid forest recovery after low-intensity fires.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Forestry
- Tropical Ecology
Background:
- Atlantic Forest biome faces increased forest fires, potentially altering vegetation.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for tropical forest response to fire.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate differences in tree community diversity, structure, and functioning between burned and unburned sites.
- Assess the impact of fire on floristic composition and functional traits.
Main Methods:
- Floristic and phytosociological surveys in two burned and two unburned forest patches.
- Calculated species richness, diversity index, tree density, basal area, and Importance Value Index.
- Assessed community-weighted means of six functional traits.
Main Results:
- Similar diversity, species richness, tree density, and basal area between burned and unburned sites.
- Significant changes in floristic composition were observed.
- No significant variations in functional traits were detected.
Conclusions:
- Post-fire recovery in the Atlantic Forest appears rapid, with pioneer and early secondary species colonizing nine-year-old burned sites.
- Low-intensity, anthropogenic fires can disrupt forest succession and initiate species turnover.
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