Coppicing as a driver of plant resprouting and the regeneration of a Caatinga dry forest

Noutcheu, Ronald; Oliveira, Fernanda M. P.; Wirth, Rainer; Tabarelli, Marcelo; Leal, Inara R.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2022.120736

Cited by 17 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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“…Although the Park was established in 2002, traditional farms (i.e., family smallholdings) still live inside its area, and slash‐and‐burn agriculture, livestock farming (free‐ranging goats), collection of living and dead wood, harvesting of non‐timber forest products and hunting are still common activities, which exert significant pressures on old growth forests (Lins et al, 2022; Noutcheu et al, 2023). As a result, our focal landscape has been converted into a vegetation mosaic such as cultivated fields, secondary and old growth forest stands and the remaining stands are experiencing chronic disturbances (Arnan et al, 2018; Barros et al, 2021).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The soils are predominantly composed of quartz sands, which occupy 72.30% of the park area (Rito et al, 2017;Siqueira et al, 2017). The vegetation is a low-stature dry forest, and are still common activities, which exert significant pressures on old growth forests (Lins et al, 2022;Noutcheu et al, 2023). As a result, our focal landscape has been converted into a vegetation mosaic such as cultivated fields, secondary and old growth forest stands and the remaining stands are experiencing chronic disturbances (Arnan et al, 2018;Barros et al, 2021).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Divergent effects of leaf‐cutting ant herbivory and soil engineering on the reproductive success of plants in a Caatinga dry forest

de Oliveira,

Centeno‐Alvarado,

Oliveira

et al. 2023

Ecological Entomology

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Plant reproduction is influenced by resource availability, environment and interactions with pollinators, pathogens and herbivores. In the Neotropical region, the leaf‐cutting ants are voracious herbivores and soil engineers, potentially affecting plant performance. This study investigated the effects of herbivory and soil changes via nest construction and maintenance linked to Atta opaciceps (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (Bormeier, 1939) on the reproductive success of two Leguminosae species (Cenostigma pyramidale (Tul.) E. Gagnon & G.P. Lewis and Indigofera suffruticosa Mill. Mill.) widely distributed in the Caatinga dry forest. We selected eight nests from A. opaciceps colonies, with both plant species nearby. For each colony, we selected similar‐sized adult plants from foraging trail ends, where ants concentrate foraging efforts and herbivory is pronounced. We also selected plants located 20 m away from the foraging trail ends, representing herbivory‐protected scenarios, secured by tanglefoot barriers. Additionally, to assess ant‐related soil effects, we selected individuals from different nest‐associated soils (i.e., nest mounds and external refuse dumps) and from locations 20 m away from the aforementioned locations. All these individuals were shielded with tanglefoot barriers. Herbivory and soil changes from A. opaciceps did not affect any metric evaluated of C. pyramidale. Yet, for I. suffruticosa, ant herbivory boosted fruit set, and nest‐related soil changes, notably from refuse dumps, increased the number of flowers and fruits. Our findings indicate that leaf‐cutting ant effects on plant performance are species‐specific and may eventually benefit plant reproduction. Given the proliferation of leaf‐cutting ants in human‐modified landscapes of the Caatinga dry forest, positive interactions with plants might be vital to improving plant recruitment and forest regeneration dynamics.

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