Small Mammal Community in a Forest Fragment, Vegetation Corridor and Coffee Matrix System in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Author Information
Author(s): Mariana Ferreira Rocha, Marcelo Louzada Júlio
Primary Institution: Universidade Federal de Lavras
Hypothesis
The study aims to verify the value of the vegetation corridor in the conservation of small mammals in fragmented tropical landscapes.
Conclusion
Vegetation corridors act as extensions of forest fragments, supporting species richness and abundance closer to forest fragments than to coffee matrices.
Supporting Evidence
- The highest species richness was observed in the vegetation corridor (13 species).
- The absolute abundance was similar between the vegetation corridor and fragments.
- Six species showed significant habitat preference possibly related to sensitivity to forest disturbance.
Takeaway
The study found that small mammals live better in vegetation corridors than in coffee fields, showing that these corridors help them survive in fragmented forests.
Methodology
The study involved capturing small mammals in forest fragments, a vegetation corridor, and a coffee matrix, using a total of 14 transects and 10,080 trap-nights.
Limitations
The peculiar features of each treatment prevented equal sample sizes from each treatment.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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