The role of edaphic differentiation on life zones, vegetation types, [beta]-diversity, and indicator species in tropical dry forests

Aims Tropical dry forests (TDFs) present unique conditions for understanding biogeographical patterns, such as in Caatinga, northeast Brazil, which consists of two contrasting edaphic environments: crystalline and sedimentary terrains. We used Caatinga as a case study to test whether edaphic differe...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

Gespeichert in:
Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:Plant and soil 2023-12, Vol.493 (1-2), p.573
Hauptverfasser: Londe, Vinícius, Gomes, Paulo Weslem Portal, Ma
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
Schlagworte:
Online-Zugang:Volltext
Tags: Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:Aims Tropical dry forests (TDFs) present unique conditions for understanding biogeographical patterns, such as in Caatinga, northeast Brazil, which consists of two contrasting edaphic environments: crystalline and sedimentary terrains. We used Caatinga as a case study to test whether edaphic differences led to differences in life zones, vegetation types, [beta]-diversity, and indicator species. Methods Compiling 124 floristic surveys (75 in crystalline and 49 in sedimentary terrains) and bioclimatic variables from 1,214 municipalities, we calculated Holdridge life zones, vegetation types, indicator species, and [beta]-diversity based on generalized dissimilarity modeling. Then, we compared these parameters between terrains. Results We identified five life zones, 10 transition zones, and five vegetation types. The tropical dry/moist forest transition and the steppe-savanna occurred only in the sedimentary, whereas the herbaceous caatinga occurred only in the crystalline terrains. [beta]-Diversity was more dissimilar between regions (north-south and east-west) than between terrains. [beta]-Diversity was better predicted by July temperature, May and September precipitation, soil pH, and June solar radiation. We identified 27 indicator species in crystalline terrain and 56 in sedimentary terrain. Conclusions Contrasting edaphic environments can restrict the distribution of a subset of species from the regional pool (indicator species), which can be used to characterize each terrain. However, as the other parameters were similar between terrains, and soil properties were not as crucial as climatic variables in explaining [beta]-diversity, soil type seems to have a secondary role in species distribution. Our results help to elucidate how habitat differentiation affects phytogeographical patterns in TDFs.
ISSN:0032-079X
DOI:10.1007/s11104-023-06249-3