The different pathways behind the loss of plant species richness in a seasonally dry tropical forest

Abstract

Abstract: Forest degradation is a factor in the loss of diversity in seasonal dry forests, and the pathways of forest degradation are poorly understood. This information is important in the conservation of these forests. The objective was to analyze the loss of species in a degradation gradient, considering direct and indirect pathways. We hypothesized that degradation acts on wealth directly, through resource extraction or the search for species palatable to livestock, or indirectly, by modifying structural and productivity characteristics. We established three squares of 4.2 x 2.2 km, we selected at random 20 cells of 200m2. Consisting of three transects of 50 x 2 m, we recorded the composition of species and structural features. Our conceptual model of wealth loss pathways consisted of structural equation models. Anthropic pressure caused loss of species richness. This effect occurs through reduction of the density of large trees, as an indirect pathway. The loss of tree species richness also showed direct effects on the complexity and productivity of the forest.