Papers by Rodrigo Bergamin
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which... more This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Patterns of diaspore functional diversity in Araucaria Forest successional stages in extreme sout... more Patterns of diaspore functional diversity in Araucaria Forest successional stages in extreme southern Brazil). Dispersal is an essential process for community assembly, since it defines the species that have the potential to colonize a particular site. It is possible to infer the dispersal agent from the traits that constitute the plant dispersal syndrome, such as diaspore color and size. The vegetation of southern Brazil consists of forest-grassland mosaics, in which forest expansion is occurring where land management does not preclude the process. Here, we assessed: (1) if there is variation in the functional diversity of zoochorous diaspore traits of young trees along a canopy openness gradient in Araucaria and Podocarpus forest patches, and what diaspore traits of tree species are associated with the canopy openness gradient. Additionally, we present a list of tree species occurring at the study site. Zoochory is the main dispersal syndrome in these forests, in both early and advanced stages of vegetation succession. Diaspore functional diversity decreased from large forest to small patches, likely due to habitat-use patterns of vertebrate seed dispersers. Our results suggest that the disperser fauna is essential to the forest-grassland dynamics throughout the process of forest expansion over the grassland.
Phylobetadiversity is defined as the phylogenetic resemblance between communities or biomes. Anal... more Phylobetadiversity is defined as the phylogenetic resemblance between communities or biomes. Analyzing phylobetadiversity
patterns among different vegetation physiognomies within a single biome is crucial to understand the historical
affinities between them. Based on the widely accepted idea that different forest physiognomies within the Southern
Brazilian Atlantic Forest constitute different facies of a single biome, we hypothesize that more recent phylogenetic nodes
should drive phylobetadiversity gradients between the different forest types within the Atlantic Forest, as the phylogenetic
divergence among those forest types is biogeographically recent. We compiled information from 206 checklists describing
the occurrence of shrub/tree species across three different forest physiognomies within the Southern Brazilian Atlantic
Forest (Dense, Mixed and Seasonal forests). We analyzed intra-site phylogenetic structure (phylogenetic diversity, net
relatedness index and nearest taxon index) and phylobetadiversity between plots located at different forest types, using five
different methods differing in sensitivity to either basal or terminal nodes (phylogenetic fuzzy weighting, COMDIST,
COMDISTNT, UniFrac and Rao’s H). Mixed forests showed higher phylogenetic diversity and overdispersion than the other
forest types. Furthermore, all forest types differed from each other in relation phylobetadiversity patterns, particularly when
phylobetadiversity methods more sensitive to terminal nodes were employed. Mixed forests tended to show higher
phylogenetic differentiation to Dense and Seasonal forests than these latter from each other. The higher phylogenetic
diversity and phylobetadiversity levels found in Mixed forests when compared to the others likely result from the
biogeographical origin of several taxa occurring in these forests. On one hand, Mixed forests shelter several temperate taxa,
like the conifers Araucaria and Podocarpus. On the other hand, tropical groups, like Myrtaceae, are also very representative
of this forest type. We point out to the need of more attention to Mixed forests as a conservation target within the Brazilian
Atlantic Forest given their high phylogenetic uniqueness.
To elucidate the relationship between forest dynamics and fire frequency pollen percentages and c... more To elucidate the relationship between forest dynamics and fire frequency pollen percentages and charcoal amounts from a 120 cm long peat core and from samples of modern pollen rain were collected along a transect. The study site in southern Brazil is characterized by a species-rich mosaic of grassland-Araucaria forest. It is of crucial importance for management strategies for conservation to understand the development and maintenance of these vegetation mosaics including their sharp forest-grassland boundaries. During the late Holocene, considerable changes occurred in the area. From Anno Domini (AD) 1360 to 1410, the area was dominated by Campos (grassland) vegetation and fire was very common. From AD 1410 to 1500, Araucaria forest expanded and fire was less frequent. From AD 1500 to 1580, Campos grassland spread and the Araucaria forest ceased its development, apparently due to the increase of fire. From AD 1580 to 1935, after a decrease in fire frequency, Araucaria forest expanded again. From AD 1935 to the present, the Araucaria forest expanded while the Campos area decreased. Fire was very rare in this period. The results indicate a strong interaction of forest expansion, forming a mosaic of Campos and Araucaria forest, and the frequency of fire during the past 600 years. A possible collapse of the indigenous population following the post-Colombian colonization in southern Brazil after about AD 1550 may have caused a great reduction of fire frequency. The introduction of cattle (probably after AD 1780) and the resulting decrease of fire frequency might be the reason for forest expansion. Fire is probably the most important factor controlling the dynamics of the forest-grassland mosaics and the formation of sharp borders between these two vegetation types.
The Atlantic Forest is a hotspot for biodiversity conservation because of its high levels of ende... more The Atlantic Forest is a hotspot for biodiversity conservation because of its high levels of endemism
and threatened areas. Three main forest types, differentiated by their floras, compose the Atlantic
Forest: ‘Atlantic Forest’ sensu strictu, ‘Araucaria Mixed Forest’ and ‘Seasonal Forest’. The flora
comprises taxa from the Amazon forest, Cerrado gallery forests and the Andean region, which
makes the Atlantic Forest a relevant study system for ecologists and biogeographers. Here, we
present data from 206 floris- tic checklists describing the occurrence of 1,916 species across the
southern portion of the Atlantic Forest. This dataset can be useful for understanding mechanisms
underlying plant community assembly processes and the historical relationships between different
forest formations.
PLoS ONE, 2014
Phylobetadiversity is defined as the phylogenetic resemblance between communities or biomes. Anal... more Phylobetadiversity is defined as the phylogenetic resemblance between communities or biomes. Analyzing phylobetadiversity patterns among different vegetation physiognomies within a single biome is crucial to understand the historical affinities between them. Based on the widely accepted idea that different forest physiognomies within the Southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest constitute different facies of a single biome, we hypothesize that more recent phylogenetic nodes should drive phylobetadiversity gradients between the different forest types within the Atlantic Forest, as the phylogenetic divergence among those forest types is biogeographically recent. We compiled information from 206 checklists describing the occurrence of shrub/tree species across three different forest physiognomies within the Southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest (Dense, Mixed and Seasonal forests). We analyzed intra-site phylogenetic structure (phylogenetic diversity, net relatedness index and nearest taxon index) and phylobetadiversity between plots located at different forest types, using five different methods differing in sensitivity to either basal or terminal nodes (phylogenetic fuzzy weighting, COMDIST, COMDISTNT, UniFrac and Rao's H). Mixed forests showed higher phylogenetic diversity and overdispersion than the other forest types. Furthermore, all forest types differed from each other in relation phylobetadiversity patterns, particularly when phylobetadiversity methods more sensitive to terminal nodes were employed. Mixed forests tended to show higher phylogenetic differentiation to Dense and Seasonal forests than these latter from each other. The higher phylogenetic diversity and phylobetadiversity levels found in Mixed forests when compared to the others likely result from the biogeographical origin of several taxa occurring in these forests. On one hand, Mixed forests shelter several temperate taxa, like the conifers Araucaria and Podocarpus. On the other hand, tropical groups, like Myrtaceae, are also very representative of this forest type. We point out to the need of more attention to Mixed forests as a conservation target within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest given their high phylogenetic uniqueness. Citation: Duarte LDS, Bergamin RS, Marcilio-Silva V, Seger GDDS, Marques MCM (2014) Phylobetadiversity among Forest Types in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest Complex. PLoS ONE 9(8): e105043.
The survey of the arboreal component and the phytogeographic relationships in a forest fragment i... more The survey of the arboreal component and the phytogeographic relationships in a forest fragment in Barra do Ribeiro, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil has been carried out. All trees with DHB ? 5cm were recorded through the method of "caminhamento". Sixty species were surveyed, distributed into 50 genera and 31 families. The families with highest species richness were Myrtaceae (10 spp.) and Euphorbiaceae (5 spp.). The Atlantic species form the most diversified contingent. The high richness of Myrtaceae is similar to other floristic studies realized in the South of Brazil, showing the importance of this family in different forests. The absence of physical barriers can explain the expressive participation of the Atlantic contingent in the study area. Resumo Foi realizado o levantamento florístico e as prováveis relações fitogeográficas do componente arbóreo num fragmento florestal no município de Barra do Ribeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Para o levantamento das espécies foi utilizado o método do caminhamento, anotando-se todas as árvores com DAP ? 5cm. Foram observadas 60 espécies, distribuídas em 50 gêneros e 31 famílias. Myrtaceae apresentou a maior riqueza específica, com dez espécies, seguida de Euphorbiaceae com cinco. O contingente da Floresta Atlântica foi o que apresentou a maior contribuição, com 19 espécies, seguido da Floresta com Araucária, com oito, e a Floresta Estacional, com quatro. A expressiva participação de Myrtaceae na composição florística do fragmento estudado coincide com diversos estudos florísticos realizados no Sul do Brasil, destacando a importância da família em diferentes formações florestais. A ausência de barreiras físicas naturais pode explicar a acentuada presença de espécies da Floresta Atlântica.
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2010
To elucidate the relationship between forest dynamics and fire frequency pollen percentages and c... more To elucidate the relationship between forest dynamics and fire frequency pollen percentages and charcoal amounts from a 120 cm long peat core and from samples of modern pollen rain were collected along a transect. The study site in southern Brazil is characterized by a species-rich mosaic of grassland-Araucaria forest. It is of crucial importance for management strategies for conservation to understand the development and maintenance of these vegetation mosaics including their sharp forest-grassland boundaries. During the late Holocene, considerable changes occurred in the area. From Anno Domini (AD) 1360 to 1410, the area was dominated by Campos (grassland) vegetation and fire was very common. From AD 1410 to 1500, Araucaria forest expanded and fire was less frequent. From AD 1500 to 1580, Campos grassland spread and the Araucaria forest ceased its development, apparently due to the increase of fire. From AD 1580 to 1935, after a decrease in fire frequency, Araucaria forest expanded again. From AD 1935 to the present, the Araucaria forest expanded while the Campos area decreased. Fire was very rare in this period. The results indicate a strong interaction of forest expansion, forming a mosaic of Campos and Araucaria forest, and the frequency of fire during the past 600 years. A possible collapse of the indigenous population following the post-Colombian colonization in southern Brazil after about AD 1550 may have caused a great reduction of fire frequency. The introduction of cattle (probably after AD 1780) and the resulting decrease of fire frequency might be the reason for forest expansion. Fire is probably the most important factor controlling the dynamics of the forest-grassland mosaics and the formation of sharp borders between these two vegetation types.
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Papers by Rodrigo Bergamin
patterns among different vegetation physiognomies within a single biome is crucial to understand the historical
affinities between them. Based on the widely accepted idea that different forest physiognomies within the Southern
Brazilian Atlantic Forest constitute different facies of a single biome, we hypothesize that more recent phylogenetic nodes
should drive phylobetadiversity gradients between the different forest types within the Atlantic Forest, as the phylogenetic
divergence among those forest types is biogeographically recent. We compiled information from 206 checklists describing
the occurrence of shrub/tree species across three different forest physiognomies within the Southern Brazilian Atlantic
Forest (Dense, Mixed and Seasonal forests). We analyzed intra-site phylogenetic structure (phylogenetic diversity, net
relatedness index and nearest taxon index) and phylobetadiversity between plots located at different forest types, using five
different methods differing in sensitivity to either basal or terminal nodes (phylogenetic fuzzy weighting, COMDIST,
COMDISTNT, UniFrac and Rao’s H). Mixed forests showed higher phylogenetic diversity and overdispersion than the other
forest types. Furthermore, all forest types differed from each other in relation phylobetadiversity patterns, particularly when
phylobetadiversity methods more sensitive to terminal nodes were employed. Mixed forests tended to show higher
phylogenetic differentiation to Dense and Seasonal forests than these latter from each other. The higher phylogenetic
diversity and phylobetadiversity levels found in Mixed forests when compared to the others likely result from the
biogeographical origin of several taxa occurring in these forests. On one hand, Mixed forests shelter several temperate taxa,
like the conifers Araucaria and Podocarpus. On the other hand, tropical groups, like Myrtaceae, are also very representative
of this forest type. We point out to the need of more attention to Mixed forests as a conservation target within the Brazilian
Atlantic Forest given their high phylogenetic uniqueness.
and threatened areas. Three main forest types, differentiated by their floras, compose the Atlantic
Forest: ‘Atlantic Forest’ sensu strictu, ‘Araucaria Mixed Forest’ and ‘Seasonal Forest’. The flora
comprises taxa from the Amazon forest, Cerrado gallery forests and the Andean region, which
makes the Atlantic Forest a relevant study system for ecologists and biogeographers. Here, we
present data from 206 floris- tic checklists describing the occurrence of 1,916 species across the
southern portion of the Atlantic Forest. This dataset can be useful for understanding mechanisms
underlying plant community assembly processes and the historical relationships between different
forest formations.
patterns among different vegetation physiognomies within a single biome is crucial to understand the historical
affinities between them. Based on the widely accepted idea that different forest physiognomies within the Southern
Brazilian Atlantic Forest constitute different facies of a single biome, we hypothesize that more recent phylogenetic nodes
should drive phylobetadiversity gradients between the different forest types within the Atlantic Forest, as the phylogenetic
divergence among those forest types is biogeographically recent. We compiled information from 206 checklists describing
the occurrence of shrub/tree species across three different forest physiognomies within the Southern Brazilian Atlantic
Forest (Dense, Mixed and Seasonal forests). We analyzed intra-site phylogenetic structure (phylogenetic diversity, net
relatedness index and nearest taxon index) and phylobetadiversity between plots located at different forest types, using five
different methods differing in sensitivity to either basal or terminal nodes (phylogenetic fuzzy weighting, COMDIST,
COMDISTNT, UniFrac and Rao’s H). Mixed forests showed higher phylogenetic diversity and overdispersion than the other
forest types. Furthermore, all forest types differed from each other in relation phylobetadiversity patterns, particularly when
phylobetadiversity methods more sensitive to terminal nodes were employed. Mixed forests tended to show higher
phylogenetic differentiation to Dense and Seasonal forests than these latter from each other. The higher phylogenetic
diversity and phylobetadiversity levels found in Mixed forests when compared to the others likely result from the
biogeographical origin of several taxa occurring in these forests. On one hand, Mixed forests shelter several temperate taxa,
like the conifers Araucaria and Podocarpus. On the other hand, tropical groups, like Myrtaceae, are also very representative
of this forest type. We point out to the need of more attention to Mixed forests as a conservation target within the Brazilian
Atlantic Forest given their high phylogenetic uniqueness.
and threatened areas. Three main forest types, differentiated by their floras, compose the Atlantic
Forest: ‘Atlantic Forest’ sensu strictu, ‘Araucaria Mixed Forest’ and ‘Seasonal Forest’. The flora
comprises taxa from the Amazon forest, Cerrado gallery forests and the Andean region, which
makes the Atlantic Forest a relevant study system for ecologists and biogeographers. Here, we
present data from 206 floris- tic checklists describing the occurrence of 1,916 species across the
southern portion of the Atlantic Forest. This dataset can be useful for understanding mechanisms
underlying plant community assembly processes and the historical relationships between different
forest formations.