Are border environments more susceptible to herbivore insect attacks in areas of dense rain forest?

Authors

  • Ismael C Flor Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense
  • Gabriela T Silva Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense
  • Birgit Harter-Marques Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense

Abstract

The current study aimed to detect and compare the herbivory rates in four different areas of dense rain forest. To calculate the rates 10 spots were set at the edge and 10 inside the forest area, distant from each other by 10 meters. At each spot we selected four specimens with up to 2m in height that were closest to each spot. The herbivory rates showed significant differences between the border and the interior in three out of four of the forest areas. From the results obtained in this study it was possible to conclude that border areas are more attacked by herbivorous insects compared to environments inside the forests.

Keywords:

fragmentation, Atlantic Rain forest, edge effect, insect-plant interaction

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Author Biographies

Ismael C Flor, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais - PPGCA, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense - UNESC.

Gabriela T Silva, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais - PPGCA, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense - UNESC.

Birgit Harter-Marques, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense

Docente do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais - PPGCA, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense - UNESC.

References

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Vol. 13 No. 2 (2015)

Published:

2015-03-01

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How to Cite

Flor, I. C., Silva, G. T., & Harter-Marques, B. (2015). Are border environments more susceptible to herbivore insect attacks in areas of dense rain forest?. Natureza Online, 13(2), 99–100. Retrieved from https://naturezaonline.com.br/revista/article/view/145

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