Hoehnea ()

Floristic variations in a woody plant community along a trail in a Semideciduous Seasonal Forest, Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

  • Pedro Vasconcellos Eisenlohr,
  • Maria Margarida da Rocha Fiuza de Melo,
  • Mariana Rodrigues da Silva,
  • Philippe Schmal,
  • Walnir Gomes Ferreira-Júnior,
  • Arildo de Souza Dias,
  • Alexandre Francisco da Silva

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S2236-89062011000100006
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 38, no. 1
pp. 61 – 71

Abstract

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The opening and use of a trail can modify abiotic factors along its route and in the closer surroundings. These changes can be verified by floristic changes of vegetation. This study evaluated a possible influence of a trail on the woody vegetation (DBH ³ 2.5 cm, except lianas) in a Semideciduous Seasonal Forest in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil (20º45'S and 42º51'W). Ten plots were sampled in an area near a trail and 10 other plots in the forest interior, totaling 718 individuals. Cluster (WPGMA) and ordination (DCA) analysis suggest that it may be a certain degree of influence of the trail on vegetation, although some results were intriguing. Further studies may be added to this in order to establish, in the future, environmental policies that take this source of interference with native ecosystems into account.

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