The PREDICTS project—Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)—has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.

No abstract

The point count method has been widely used in tropical forest for sampling bird communities. In the present study, we investigated if data on richness and abundance acquired using the point count method are different comparing spring/summer (breeding season) and fall/winter (non-breeding season) in three types of the Brazilian Atlantic forest. Twelve sites were sampled seasonally during one year. In general we recorded more species and individuals during the breeding seasons. However, bird communities vary seasonally among the forest types and functional groups. We demonstrate that the use of point counts in tropical forest should be adjusted considering the differences in forest types and feeding guilds

O presente trabalho foi realizado em uma área sob a concessão do Hotel Tropical Cataratas - Eco Resort, o qual encontra-se localizado na zona de uso intensivo no Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, Foz do Iguaçu – PR.. Este teve como objetivo o planejamento do traçado de uma trilha interpretativa através da caracterização florística. Para isto, foram utilizadas 15 parcelas de 10mx10m, nas quais foram medidas todas as espécies arbóreas com diâmetro superior a 5cm. A definição do traçado da trilha foi através de critérios subjetivos, utilizando-se de indicadores que receberam pontuações para Status, Beleza Cênica e Utilização Antrópica. Os resultados indicam que a área de estudos trata-se de um remanescente de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual Submontana, que sofreu exploração seletiva em períodos anteriores. Os indivíduos com maior pontuação indicaram o traçado da trilha e as parcelas que apresentaram as maiores pontuações oferecerão oportunidades para a elaboração de painéis interpretativos, bem como para a interpretação guiada. FLORISTIC CARACTERIZATION AS A TOOL FOR INTERPRETATIVE TRAIL PLANNING Abstract The information were gathered in the concession area of the Hotel Tropical das Cataratas Eco Resort, Intensive Use Zone of the National Iguaçu Park (Foz do Iguaçu, PR.). The aim of this work was the characterize the vegetation at the study site in order to plan the trace of an interpretative trail. The floristic characterization was done through 15 parcels (10mx10m each), where was measured all trees over 5cm of diameter of breast height. Trail definition was done based on pointed criteria as Status Scenic Beauty and Anthropic Utilization. According to the results, the forest analysed is a remnant of the pristine forest. Species with high points along the parcels, defined the track. Parcels scored with highpoint numbers of the chosen criteria suggested the opportunity for implementation of guided tours and illustrative signs along the interpretative trail.

The delineation of unique areas in biodiversity is crucial for conservation planning. However, identification of distinct biotas is a challenging task. In this study, we use an objective analytical process to test if bird and plant species composition of three different forest formation in the Atlantic forest Biome is sufficiently distinct to merit the recognition of ecoregions. We also evaluated how current climatic and spatial factors shape the distribution of plants and birds. Sampling localities were selected in three forest types of southern Brazil: mixed rain forest (MF), seasonal semi‐deciduous forest (SF) and dense rain forest (DF). The point‐centred quarter method and point counts were used to sample plants and birds respectively. Multivariate analyses were used to evaluate species composition, while the Rank Occupancy Abundance Profile was used to determine the association of bird species with each forest type. We used variation partitioning to determine which factors, that is climatic, spatial or tree species abundance (in the case of birds) better explained the distribution of plants and birds. A total of 176 tree species and 270 bird species were recorded. The bird species composition was sufficiently distinct among the three forest types, but the plant species composition was only distinct between DF and MF. Moreover, 61% of bird species were associated with only one forest type. This high association and the different species composition suggest that these forest types are sufficiently distinct to merit the recognition of ecoregions. Plant distribution was mainly affected by climatic variables, while bird distribution was mainly influenced by forest type and less so by climatic variables. Our data suggest that all three forest types should be conserved, but conservation strategies are urgent in MF where only 0.39% of its original cover is under protection.