Artículos de revistas
Area and edge effects on leaf-litter decomposition in a fragmented subtropical dry forest
Fecha
2014-10Registro en:
Moreno, Maria Laura; Bernaschini, Maria Laura; Perez Harguindeguy, Natalia; Valladares, Graciela Rosa; Area and edge effects on leaf-litter decomposition in a fragmented subtropical dry forest; Elsevier Masson; Acta Oecologica; 60; 10-2014; 26-29
1146-609X
Autor
Moreno, Maria Laura
Bernaschini, Maria Laura
Perez Harguindeguy, Natalia
Valladares, Graciela Rosa
Resumen
South American subtropical dry forests are highly threatened by fragmentation. Despite considerable research efforts aimed at predicting ecosystem alterations due to this driver of global change, we still need to deal with general principles to improve our ability to predict the impact of fragmentation. Our work is one of the few studies that analyse the relationship between forest fragmentation and decomposition. In 12 remnants of Chaco Serrano forest in Central Argentina we tested if decomposition rates of a common leaf-litter substrate varied with fragment size and between the forest edge and interior. Decomposition declined with fragment size, with no significant effects of location (edge/interior) or interaction between the two components of fragmentation. Our results suggest that in situ conditions for decomposition may change as a consequence of forest fragmentation, specifically as a result fragment size. This may lead to impaired nutrient recycling in smaller forest remnants.