ABSTRACT
Overexploitation is one of the main causes of biodiversity loss and local extinction. In the Brazilian Amazon, the intensive use of high-value timber species is leading to a decline in their populations. When in decline, these species can be replaced by less valuable and more common ones that are more feasible to exploit. We conducted interviews with residents of two communities in a sustainable development reserve in central Amazonia, and used free lists and the cognitive salience index (S) to assess the perceptions of residents regarding the occurrence and purpose of timber exploitation, and to identify possible endangered species in white-sand and terra-firme forests. In addition, to infer possible consequences of logging, we assessed the current population status of timber species cited by residents in forest-plot inventories carried out within the reserve. S-index values and interviewee reports suggested an intensive use of terra-firme timber species and an apparently recent increase in the exploitation of white-sand species, which did not use to be exploited because of their relatively low commercial value. The inventories showed that the white-sand timber species have high relative densities and low S values in contrast to the terra-firme species, which mostly have low relative densities and high S values. Our results highlight the need to identify and monitor relevant timber species in both terra-firme and white-sand forests, and to increase the involvement of the local community in the development of logging management practices. (AU)
Subject(s)
Lumber Industry/adverse effects , Amazonian Ecosystem , Natural Resources Exploitation , RainforestABSTRACT
ABSTRACT The Amazonian white-sand vegetation presents a set of unique features, such as the dominance of a few species, high endemism and low species richness, which differentiate it from other Amazonian forests. Soil parameters have long been recognized as the main drivers of white-sand vegetation (WSV) characteristics. However, how they influence the composition, richness and structure of this vegetation type is still poorly understood. In this study we investigated the variation in floristic composition between patches and the soil-vegetation relations in three central Amazonian WSV patches. We tested whether slight differences in soil properties are linked with differences in floristic composition, species richness and forest structure in adjacent patches. In each patch three plots of 50 x 50 m were sampled (a total of 2.25 ha). Soil samples were collected for each plot. The sampling cutoff for arboreal individuals was DBH ≥ 5 cm. We sampled a total of 3956 individuals belonging to 40 families and 140 species. In each patch only a few species were dominant, but the dominant species varied among patches. Differences among patches were significant, but plots in the same patch tended to have similar species composition. The variable sum of bases (SB) was directly related to species composition, however, species richness and forest structure were not related to soil parameters. Even small variations in soil parameters can change species composition in WSV, although these variations do not necessarily influence the richness and other structural parameters.
RESUMO As campinaranas amazônicas apresentam uma série de características únicas, como a dominância de poucas espécies, alto grau de endemismos e baixa riqueza de espécies, que as diferenciam de outras formações florestais amazônicas. Parâmetros edáficos têm sido apontados como os principais responsáveis pelas características das campinaranas. Contudo, como estes parâmetros influenciam a composição, riqueza e estrutura deste tipo de vegetação ainda é pouco entendido. Neste estudo investigamos a variação estrutural, a composição florística e a relação solo-vegetação em três áreas de campinarana na Amazônia central, com intuito de testar se pequenas diferenças nos parâmetros edáficos do solo estão relacionados com diferenças na composição, riqueza e estrutura do componente arbóreo em áreas de campinarana adjacentes. Em cada área foram amostradas três parcelas de 50 x 50 m (totalizando 2.25 ha), com o critério de inclusão para os indivíduos de DAP ≥ 5 cm. Amostras de solo foram coletadas em cada parcela. O número total de indivíduos amostrados foi 3956, pertencendo a 40 famílias e 140 espécies. Em cada área poucas espécies foram dominantes, mas estas variaram entre as áreas. Diferenças entre as áreas foram significativas, porém parcelas da mesma área tenderam a ter composição florística similar. A variável soma de bases (SB) foi diretamente relacionada à composição de espécies; contudo, riqueza de espécies e estrutura florestal não foram relacionadas a nenhum dos parâmetros do solo amostrados. Concluimos que mesmo pequenas variações nos parâmetros edáficos do solo podem mudar a composição de espécies em campinaranas, embora esta variação não necessariamente influencie a riqueza e outros parâmetros estruturais da vegetação.