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The role of edaphic factors on plant species richness and diversity along altitudinal gradients in the Brazilian semi-arid region

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 September 2020

Maiara B. Ramos ,
Fabricio C. Diniz ,
Humberto A. de Almeida ,
Gilbevan R. de Almeida ,
Anderson S. Pinto Open the ORCID record for Anderson S. Pinto [Opens in a new window] ,
Jorge A. Meave  and
Sérgio de F. Lopes Open the ORCID record for Sérgio de F. Lopes [Opens in a new window]
Maiara B. Ramos
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia & Conservação de Florestas Secas, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Bairro Universitário, 58429-500, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil
Fabricio C. Diniz
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia & Conservação de Florestas Secas, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Bairro Universitário, 58429-500, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil
Humberto A. de Almeida
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
Gilbevan R. de Almeida
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia & Conservação de Florestas Secas, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Bairro Universitário, 58429-500, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil
Anderson S. Pinto
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia & Conservação de Florestas Secas, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Bairro Universitário, 58429-500, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil
Jorge A. Meave
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, México
Sérgio de F. Lopes*
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia & Conservação de Florestas Secas, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Bairro Universitário, 58429-500, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil
*
Author for correspondence: *Sérgio de F. Lopes, Email: defarialopes@gmail.com
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Abstract

Unlike well-known global patterns of plant species richness along altitudinal gradients, in the mountainous areas of the Brazilian Caatinga, species richness and diversity reach their maxima near mountain tops. The causes of this unusual pattern are not well understood, and in particular the role of edaphic factors on plant community assembly along these gradients has not been investigated. Our goal was to assess the role of edaphic factors (fertility and soil texture) on plant community composition and structure on two mountains of the Brazilian semi-arid region. In 71 plots (Bodocongó site, twenty-one 200-m2 plots, 401–680 m asl; Arara site, fifty 100-m2 plots, 487–660 m asl) we recorded 3114 individuals representing 61 plant species; in addition, at each plot we collected composite soil samples from 0–20 cm depth. Significant altitude-related changes were observed both for community structure and composition, and edaphic variables. A canonical correspondence analysis allowed the distinction of two groups of plots according to species abundances, indicating a preferential habitat distribution of species depending both on altitude and soil variables. Although soil fertility was lowest at the highest altitudes, these areas had high richness and diversity. Conversely, the more fertile foothills were characterized by the dominance of generalist pioneer species. Despite the relatively short altitudinal range that characterizes the studied mountains, this study elucidates the role of edaphic factors on the floristic composition and species richness patterns on the mountains of the Brazilian semi-arid region.

Keywords

Caatingadry forestsoil fertilityspecies richnesstopographic gradient
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 36 , Issue 5 , September 2020 , pp. 199 - 212
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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