Tree community patterns along pond-upland topographic gradients, upper Uruguay River basin, southern Brazil

We investigated the interrelations between environmental variables (proxies for water availability and soil physico-chemical properties) and tree community patterns (diversity, composition and structure) along pond-upland topographic gradients within depressional watersheds in the upper Uruguay Rive...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Folia geobotanica 2020-06, Vol.55 (2), p.109-126
Main Authors: Grasel, Daniel, Giehl, Eduardo Luís Hettwer, Wittmann, Florian, Jarenkow, João André
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Chemical properties
Composition
Elevation
Environmental conditions
Geologic depressions
Legislation
Life Sciences
Physicochemical properties
Plant Ecology
Plant Sciences
Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography
Ponds
River basins
Rivers
Soil chemistry
Soil properties
Soil water
Topography
Water availability
Watersheds
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Summary:We investigated the interrelations between environmental variables (proxies for water availability and soil physico-chemical properties) and tree community patterns (diversity, composition and structure) along pond-upland topographic gradients within depressional watersheds in the upper Uruguay River basin in southern Brazil. Sampling plots were allocated in four topographic habitats: (1) inside ponds (wetland sites) and (2) immediately outside them, and in areas with (3) 60 cm and (4) 120 cm of elevation in relation to their limits (upland sites). Environmental conditions and forest composition varied along pond-upland gradients, but the diversity and structure of tree communities did not. Species turnover was associated with changes in topography-driven environmental conditions, notably water availability. Depressional watersheds show regionally unique abiotic and biotic features but are virtually unprotected by Brazilian private land legislation.
ISSN:1211-9520
1874-9348
DOI:10.1007/s12224-020-09368-2