Structure and composition of a grassland relict within an urban matrix: potential and challenges for conservation

• Autor(a) principal: Dresseno, André Luís Pereira
• Data de Publicação: 2013
• Outros Autores: Overbeck, Gerhard Ernst
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Iheringia. Série Botânica
• Texto Completo: https://isb.emnuvens.com.br/iheringia/article/view/39
• topic: campos sulinos; fragmentation; management; urban ecology; campos sulinos; fragmentação; manejo; ecologia urbana

We investigated the vegetation composition and structure of a grassland relict in the area of the Botanical Garden of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The area has remained without typical management (grazing or burning) for thirty years, but trees and shrubs have been removed periodically. In our fl oristic survey, we found 192 (morpho-) species. In the vegetation sampling, conducted in 30 plots of 1m², we found 140 (morpho-) species (mean per plot: 27), contrasting the hypothesis of species loss due to absence of grazing or fi re. The dominant species were tussock grasses typical for rocky grasslands of the region. Five endangered species were found. The area presents a high conservation value and should be a considered a conservation priority in the Botanical Garden and the urban area of Porto Alegre. The biggest threats are shrub and tree encroachment and the invasion of Pinus. Options for the management of the area are discussed.