Biology subjects

Monteiro, G. F.

Publications and source records attributed to Monteiro, G. F..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2021

Riparian forest restoration as sources of biodiversity and ecosystem functions in anthropogenic landscapes

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWO_LIRestoration of tropical riparian forests is challenging, since these ecosystems are the most diverse, dynamic, and complex physical and biological terrestrial habitats. This study tested whether biodiversity can predict ecosystem functions in a human-impacted tropical riparian forest. C_LIO_LIWe explored the effects of several biodiversity components (taxonomic or functional groups) on different ecosystem functions associated with restored riparian forests C_LIO_LIOverall, 49% of the biodiversity components showed positive effects on ecosystem functions, each component to a different degree. In general, our results showed that both taxonomic and functional biodiversity had strong effects on ecosystem functions indicating that floral and faunal biodiversity enhanced the multifunctionality of these restored riparian tropical forests. C_LIO_LIThese findings indicate that in restored riparian forests, recovery of biodiversity is followed by improvement in important ecosystem functions that are the basis for successful restoration. Future research and policy for restoration programs must focus on restoring elementary faunal and floral components of biodiversity in order to promote ecosystem multifunctionality. C_LI

ecology↗

bioRxiv2020

The mistletoe Struthanthus flexicaulis reduces dominance and increases diversity of plants in campo rupestre

The interaction between hemiparasites and their host plants is an important structuring mechanism for plant communities. The mistletoe Struthanthus flexicaulis (Loranthaceae) is widely distributed in the campo rupestre ecosystem and likely has an important role in structuring the communities of which its hosts are part. The main goals of this study were to investigate the effects of parasitism by S. flexicaulis on host plants in a degraded area of campo rupestre and to determine how parasitism affects characteristics of the structure of this plant community over time. We found that parasitized plants had smaller crowns and branch growth, and suffered lower mortality compared to non-parasitized plants. Parasitism by S. flexicaulis decreased dominance and increased the diversity and evenness of plants in the community over time. Parasitism leads to competition with the host for water and nutrients, which may decrease the performance of the host and, consequently, leading to host death. The high mortality of the most abundant plant species led to a restructured woody plant community. These results reinforce the importance of parasitic plants as key species for maintaining species diversity in plant communities.

ecology↗