title: Anthropogenic Matrices Favor Homogenization of Tree Reproductive Functions in a Highly Fragmented Landscape.
abstract: Species homogenization or floristic differentiation are two possible consequences of the fragmentation process in plant communities. Despite the few studies, it seems clear that fragments with low forest cover inserted in anthropogenic matrices are more likely to experience floristic homogenization. However, the homogenization process has two other components, genetic and functional, which have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to verify whether there was homogenization of tree reproductive functions in a fragmented landscape and, if found, to determine how the process was influenced by landscape composition. The study was conducted in eight fragments in southwest Brazil. The study was conducted in eight fragments in southwestern Brazil. In each fragment, all individual trees were sampled that had a diameter at breast height ≥3 cm, in ten plots (0.2 ha) and, classified within 26 reproductive functional types (RFTs). The process of functional homogenization was evaluated using additive partitioning of diversity. Additionally, the effect of landscape composition on functional diversity and on the number of individuals within each RFT was evaluated using a generalized linear mixed model. appeared to be in a process of functional homogenization (dominance of RFTs, alpha diversity lower than expected by chance and and low beta diversity). More than 50% of the RFTs and the functional diversity were affected by the landscape parameters. In general, the percentage of forest cover has a positive effect on RFTs while the percentage of coffee matrix has a negative one. The process of functional homogenization has serious consequences for biodiversity conservation because some functions may disappear that, in the long term, would threaten the fragments. This study contributes to a better understanding of how landscape changes affect the functional diversity, abundance of individuals in RFTs and the process of functional homogenization, as well as how to manage fragmented landscapes.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP-SP), Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Barão Geraldo, Campinas, SP CEP 13083-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Magda Silva
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Natureza, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, n.700, Alfenas, MG CEP 37130-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline Cambraia Furtado
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas(UNIFAL-MG), Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, n.700, Alfenas, MG CEP 37130-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Alberto
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Beijo
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Natureza, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, n.700, Alfenas, MG CEP 37130-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Flavio Nunes
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6689-3575
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Ramos
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D065928:Forests; D006801:Humans; D012098:Reproduction; D014197:Trees / Q000502:physiology*