Communities of harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones) in different reforestation areas of the Atlantic Forest in the interior of southern Brazil.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36560/19520262252Keywords:
Arthropod diversity; Natural regeneration; Ecological restoration; Biodiversity conservation; Conservation Unit.Abstract
Knowledge about harvestman communities in reforestation areas of the Atlantic Forest is limited, as is knowledge about the effects of different restoration models on biodiversity. In this study, we compared the structure and composition of harvestman communities in homogeneous reforestation areas, composed of different tree species, and in natural regeneration areas that were established in 1986 in southern Brazil. Sampling was carried out using a standardized active nocturnal method. Four species and morphospecies were recorded, with Geraeocormobius sylvarum and Opisthoplatus elegantulus showing strong dominance and accounting for 95% of the sampled individuals. No significant differences in abundance, diversity, or dominance were observed between the plots. However, there were differences in richness and community composition between some models, with the latter being strongly influenced by a single species. These results suggest that different reforestation models have a limited influence on harvestman communities.
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