Edge effect on functional traits of trees in a restinga remnant, Rio de Janeiro

Zuñe F.; Melo E.C.N.; Lopes R.C. · Pesquisa Florestal Brasileira (2022) · DOI: 10.4336/2022.pfb.42e202002094

Resumen

This study aimed to evaluate the edge effect based on the differences in tree functional traits (wood density, diameter, and height) on the edges of the Grumari restinga, Atlantic Forest, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. In the field, two edges were delimited: Banco Halles and Lagoa Feia. On each edge we selected trees with diameter ≥ 10 cm. Diameter and height were recorded for each tree and wood samples were collected. Wood density was obtained through the immersion method. To verify differences between edges through functional traits, t Student and Wilcoxon tests were applied. Pearson’s correlation was applied to verify relations between attributes. Additionally, tree aboveground biomass was estimated and the average between edges was compared. Only tree height showed local differences between edges (t 2.55; p 0.02). It was observed that the functional traits did not show a significant relation among each other. The Banco Halles presented bigger average stock of biomass (126.48 ± 71.14 kg) than Lagoa Feia (71.5 ± 40.67 kg). This study suggests that the variation of the functional traits can be affected by edge effects, even in edges of the same remnant with different disturbance and occupation histories.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo