Article
Zoology
Rebecca L. Smith, David Lusseau
Summary: Habitat loss and fragmentation pose a threat to global biodiversity, and Paraguay is predicted to lose its primary moist forests by 2028. The Upper Parana Atlantic Forest in Paraguay is the most endangered habitat, greatly damaged by industrial agriculture over the past 60 years. The hooded capuchin, a primate species unique to the remaining forest, requires a predominance of forest cover for its presence. However, suitable habitat for the capuchin is decreasing and being fragmented in Paraguay.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Forestry
V. R. Kubota, R. Linares-Palomino, T. Gregory, H. Silva, L. Lombardo, R. Caballero, A. Mendoza, S. Ugawa
Summary: This study aimed to classify the Upper Parana Atlantic Forest (UPAF) by analyzing stand structure, tree species diversity, tree species composition, and soil properties. A total of 71 plots were established in eight protected areas in Paraguay and trees with diameter at breast height = 10 cm and composite soil samples from 0-20 cm depth were evaluated. The findings provide insights into the heterogeneity of the tree community in UPAF and contribute to more targeted conservation and restoration programs.
JOURNAL OF TROPICAL FOREST SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Rebecca L. Smith, David Lusseau
Summary: The hooded capuchin is an adaptable primate species found in the Paraguayan Upper Parana Atlantic Forest. It prefers mature, bamboo-dominated, and flooded forests, and avoids crop fields. Deforestation in Paraguay poses a threat to the connectivity of the capuchin's habitat.
ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS AND EVIDENCE
(2022)
Article
Economics
Phillip M. Mohebalian, Lucas N. Lopez, Francisco X. Aguilar, Angela Barbara Tischner
Summary: The Parana Atlantic Forest in South America is a highly diverse ecological region that is also highly vulnerable to deforestation. This study assesses the deforestation trends in this region and finds that economic growth and population density are directly associated with deforestation, while protected area designation has a lowering effect on deforestation.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
A. P. Rudke, A. C. F. Xavier, L. D. Martins, E. D. Freitas, C. B. Uvo, R. Hallak, R. A. F. Souza, R. V. Andreoli, T. T. de Almeida Albuquerque, J. A. Martins
Summary: In this study, the authors used Landsat images to identify the paths of land cover changes in the Upper Paraná River Basin. They found significant changes in cropland, forest, grassland, and savanna areas, which were mainly driven by agricultural and livestock activities. The study also showed a significant decrease in the Cerrado biome, primarily due to the expansion of cropland and the migration of pasture areas.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Garret D. Langlois, Sixto Fernandez, Mark C. Wallace, Richard D. Stevens
Summary: This study found that a tall, large-boled tree covered with vines in an uncluttered stand of smaller trees is the most important factor affecting roost selection by Artibeus lituratus in the Alto Parana & PRIME; Atlantic Forests of eastern Paraguay.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Arthur da Cruz Silva, Heitor Mancini Teixeira, Maria Clara Arantes Victer, Luis Boulanger Bahia, Carlos M. M. E. Torres, Pedro Manuel Villa, Irene Maria Cardoso
Summary: Agroforestry systems are important for maintaining tree diversity at the farm and landscape level. The conservation value of these systems is similar to forest areas in different stages of natural succession. Farmers' knowledge on tree functions is crucial for the design of highly diverse agroforestry systems.
AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Lara Raposo Bardy, Tatiane Viegas Debiasi, Karina Sanada, Artur Berbel Lirio Rondina, Jose Marcelo Domingues Torezan, Renata Stolf-Moreira, Edmilson Bianchini, Jose Antonio Pimenta, Halley Caixeta Oliveira
Summary: The input of large amounts of fertilizers in agricultural areas may result in nitrogen leakage to nearby forest fragments, which can impact the physiology and growth of trees. This study assessed the effects of soil nitrogen addition on seedlings of four tree species in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The results showed that nitrogen addition promoted seedling growth and net photosynthesis, but the effects varied among different tree species.
Article
Zoology
Richard D. Stevens, Heidi N. Amarilla-Stevens
Summary: This study examined dietary overlap patterns of phyllostomid bats in interior Atlantic Forest of Paraguay, finding no significant differences in diets between sites, higher overlap in winter than summer, and significant effects of season and species on dietary items. The resource utilization of bats in this system seems to be influenced by generalist ecology and seasonal nature.
JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Carolina Nogueira Xavier, Daniela Granato-Souza, Ana Carolina M. C. Barbosa, Jose Reinaldo Moreira da Silva
Summary: The research found that the growth of two invasive tree species in the Atlantic Forest is positively influenced by precipitation from the previous growing season, indicating an ecological adaptive strategy. Growth release episodes detected in the tree rings over the past 50 years suggest increased anthropogenic disturbances impacting the forest ecosystem.
JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Daniella Schweizer, Gunnar Petter, Ricardo Gomes Cesar, Silvio Ferraz, Vanessa de Souza Moreno, Pedro H. S. Brancalion, Harald Bugmann
Summary: This study used a process-based model, LandClim, to investigate natural forest regrowth in agricultural landscapes in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest region. The findings highlight the importance of long-term commitment in restoration projects, as the effects of land use intensity and landscape configuration on forest biomass and tree diversity take decades to be fully expressed.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Danielle Cristina Ortiz, Tancredo Augusto Feitosa de Souza, Tatiani Maria Pech, Marie Luise Carolina Bartz, Dilmar Baretta, Alexandre Siminski, Julia Carina Niemeyer
Summary: This study found that different vegetation types can affect soil ecosystems, leading to changes in soil fauna community composition. It was observed that soil fauna feeding activity was reduced in exotic tree plantations compared to natural ecosystems, potentially affecting ecosystem services.
JOURNAL OF FORESTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Natalia Santos de Santana, Alesandro Souza Santos, Daniela Bitencourt Borges, Daniele de Souza Franca, Jeiza Botelho Leal Reis, Fernanda Ancelmo de Oliveira, Mariana Araujo Barreto, Ronan Xavier Correa, Maria Imaculada Zucchi, Karina Martins, Sonia Cristina Oliveira Melo, Leandro Lopes Loguercio, Fernanda Amato Gaiotto
Summary: Understanding populational genetic diversity is essential for conservation and species management. This study examines the conservation genetics of economically exploited tree species in the vulnerable Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Genetic parameters of 10 species were compiled, revealing differences in genetic variability and unique alleles. Comparison of data between ontogenic stages suggests that habitat loss has not yet caused significant loss of genetic diversity.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Rafael O. Xavier, Ualas Marques Melo, Vania Regina Pivello, Robert H. Marrs, Pedro Garcia Abilleira de Castro, Jorge Luis do Nascimento, Dalva Maria da Silva Matos
Summary: Climate and land-use changes have led to the dominance of native herbaceous plants in degraded tropical forests, causing losses in biodiversity and ecosystem services. A study in southeast Brazil found that intensive mechanical removal of a shade-intolerant fern species decreased its dominance in Atlantic forests, but the benefits to forest recovery were limited due to lack of tree regeneration, impoverished seed banks, and invasive grasses.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Joao Paulo Morais-Silva, Barbara Scorsim, Geovana Goncalves, Augusto Frota, Weferson Junio da Graca, Alessandra Valeria de Oliveira
Summary: A possible new species of Cnesterodon has been identified in the Ivai River basin, with distinct genetic differences from other Cnesterodon species. Its restricted distribution to only two sites and the disappearance of one of them suggests it is possibly already in serious danger of extinction.
Article
Zoology
Karina Atkinson, Paul Smith, Jeremy K. Dickens, Catherine Lee-Zuck
CURRENT HERPETOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jeremy K. Dickens, Leigh McMahon, Sarah E. Binnie
JOURNAL OF INSECT CONSERVATION
(2019)
Article
Entomology
Jeremy Kenneth Dickens, Daniel Schoenberger, Michelle VanCompernolle
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ODONATOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Zoology
Jeremy Kenneth Dickens, Pierre-Paul Bitton, Gustavo A. Bravo, Luis Fabio Silveira
Summary: The black-throated trogon is a widespread and polytypic species-complex with a convoluted taxonomic history. Through integration of morphological, vocal, and genetic data, researchers identified four named species and proposed a new species within this complex. Geographic distributions and genetic divergence were also highlighted, with potential implications for conservation efforts.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Harry-Pym Davis, Michelle VanCompernolle, Jeremy Dickens
HERPETOLOGICAL CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY
(2020)