Structural changes and carbon reduction due to habitat loss in Atlantic Forest

Habitat loss is a significant threat to biodiversity in tropical forests, leading changes composition, structure, and function. In this study, we aimed evaluate the influence of forest amount at landscape scale on structure stored carbon tree communities. Eleven samples 36 km 2 (6 × 6 km), with different amounts cover (between 5 60%), were randomly selected within wide latitudinal range Atlantic Forests Brazil. We also used sample design control avoid some biases landscape-scale studies during selection, such as rescue effect from surrounding landscapes, differences matrix permeability each landscape, for same vegetation type or successional stage. surveyed all woody individuals diameter breast height (DBH) ≥ 2.5 cm eight plots 250 m , placed landscape’s forested areas. The structural variables evaluated were: total abundance, abundance prominent families, large trees (DBH 30 cm), mean DBH, average height, besides storage. From set 8,179 individuals, observed positive correlation between trees, stock. hardwood families positively correlated amount. When comparing two landscapes lowest proportion habitats (5–15%) highest (55−60%), almost one thousand more than 150 T per hectare are lost. This reduction overall indicates no compensatory effects community due turnover composition substitution smaller ones. Forest undergoing process homogenization functional collapse, derived directly indirectly habitat loss, possible regime shift.