Structure and Composition of Atlantic Forest Fragments Inhabited by Callicebus coimbrai in Northeastern Brazil: Subsidies for Landscape Management Strategies

• Main Author: Santana, José Paulo
• Publication Date: 2022
• Other Authors: Santos, Paloma Marques, Marques, Eduardo, Jerusalinsky, Leandro, Ferrari, Stephen Francis, Beltrão-Mendes, Raone
• Format: Article
• Language: por
• Source: Biodiversidade Brasileira
• Download full: https://revistaeletronica.icmbio.gov.br/BioBR/article/view/1846
• topic: Pitheciidae; Callicebus; Pitheciidae; Callicebus; Pitheciidae; Callicebus; tree succession

   Characterizing the habitat structure, identifying the functionality of tree species is an important strategy to assist in management programs. This study aimed to characterize the habitat’s structure, identify the ecological composition and the type of tree dispersion syndrome in fragments inhabited by the threatened Callicebus coimbrai in the Sergipe Atlantic Forest. A total of eight transects were covered by the errant quadrant method, with 780 points recorded in 3,166.71 m. At each point, we collected the DBH, height, the distance between two points (trees), in addition to the identification of the tree species. We analyzed abundance, density, frequency, basal dominance, Importance Value Index, in addition to the calculation of the Pielou diversity and Equitability index. The average distance between the sampled points (trees) was 4.05±2.75 m, the mean tree height was 11.69±3.10 m, and the mean DBH was 25.75±13.53 cm, with few significant differences between the fragments. In general, the structures are unstable, and the composition of the trees is formed mainly by early pioneer and secondary species and species with zoochoric dispersion syndrome. These places possess an unstable structure for titi monkeys to inhabit. Besides, they are distant from other places, making it difficult for individuals to move. These results show the importance of characterizing the structure, using the ecological traces of trees to measure habitat quality, and assisting management programs to preserve and conserve threatened species and their habitat.