O solo como filtro ambiental na estruturação espacial de características funcionais em florestas estacionais semideciduais

Abstract

The importance of understanding ecosystem functioning from a functional perspective has been a key issue in ecological studies. Understanding the ecosystem through functional traits is to understand the dynamics of environmental aspects. The functional characteristics, here limited to tree plants, are influenced by environmental filters such as the soil. Although studies of functional traits have been intensified, in a world of constant change, it is necessary to develop more research that can help in understanding the response to these changes. Understanding that processes is fundamental for environmental analysis and in support conservation decision-making, especially in Brazilian forest remnants of the Atlantic domain. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the spatial dynamics of functional groups in fragments of Seasonal Semideciduous Forest. The survey of the vegetation sample and composition of soil variables was performed in forest fragments, located in the municipalities of Lavras, Ingaí and Luminárias, Minas Gerais. A total of 12 functional traits were analyzed and computed to form strategic acquisitive and conservative groups. PCA and k-means analyzes were performed to determine the functional groups and CWM to quantify the effects of functional characteristics in the plots of the study areas. Overall, 3,574 individuals were identified, representing 46 families, 95 genera and 140 species. The result was 51 species of acquisitive strategy and 89 species of conservative strategy, according to the functional traits evaluated. The functional composition of the plots indicated that although the functional groups in acquisitive-conservative strategies can be categorized, their result is closer to a spectral, that is, the functional traits are defined throughout in the environment. Among the edaphic attributes evaluated, drainage presented the greatest explanation in terms of spatiality. The atributes of the clusters confirm the theories of ecological strategies of allocation and compensation of resources, forming ecologically coherent groups. Although soil is the main environmental filter on a local-regional scale, the results were not standardized in terms of spatial dynamics, in relation to all edaphic attributes, which can be better answered throughout future scientific research.