Functional groups in a semideciduous seasonal forest in Southeastern Brazil

This study was carried out in a semideciduous forest in Southeastern Brazil. Five ecological attributes were used to define the functional groups: dominant stratum of the species, light demand of the plant, seed dispersal, likely pollinator, and deciduousness. The groups were formed through a specie...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Vagner Santiago Vale
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina 2013-01-01
Series:Biotemas
Subjects:
Online Access:https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/biotemas/article/view/24583
Description
Summary:This study was carried out in a semideciduous forest in Southeastern Brazil. Five ecological attributes were used to define the functional groups: dominant stratum of the species, light demand of the plant, seed dispersal, likely pollinator, and deciduousness. The groups were formed through a species matrix and its attributes, and they were delimited according to the Jaccard similarity coefficient and a dendrogram generated by the group average (UPGMA). The analysis used was satisfactory, indicating the formation of four coherent groups with distinct functions both with regard to the community and the ecosystem. The results indicate a tree community in a late successional stage, with relations between flora and fauna species.
ISSN:0103-1643
2175-7925