Produção Nacional
Revisado por pares
Effects of grazing on functional diversity along secondary succession in a tropical dry forest ( Caatinga , Brazil)
2024; Wiley; Volume: 27; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1111/avsc.12783
ISSN1654-109X
AutoresJosé Batista de Sousa, Júlia Caram Sfair, Luis Alberto Bermejo Asensio, Raquel Bruna Chaves, João Paulo Andrade Nunes, Ivinna Kariny da Costa Vieira, Cristina Baldauf,
Tópico(s)Plant and animal studies
ResumoAbstract Aim Livestock production is among the main anthropogenic disturbances in seasonally dry tropical forests. However, its effects on plant functional composition in dry forests is poorly understood. Our goal was to analyze the variation in both functional composition and functional diversity of plant communities under goat grazing and at different ages of fallow in a tropical dry forest. Location Brazilian dry forest ( Caatinga ) in Rio Grande do Norte State, northeastern Brazil. Methods We measured the height, leaf area, and specific leaf area of all shrub‐tree and herbaceous species along a gradient of stocking rate, years of grazing, and age of fallow. Additionally, we quantified the foliar contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, and tannins in the tree shrub layer. We tested the effects of grazing and deforestation using linear mixed models. Results Our findings suggest that the functional diversity of plant communities in the Caatinga is not altered when goat grazing and secondary succession are examined independently. However, the interaction of both factors has affected the functional diversity, particularly in the herbaceous layer. Although grazing influenced specific traits in the shrub‐tree layer, the overall functional diversity remained unaltered by grazing, succession, or their interaction. Conclusions Grazing does not interfere with the natural succession process nor diminish the functional diversity of plant communities in the Caatinga . Therefore, with appropriate management, grazing can coexist with the conservation goals of the Caatinga .
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