Tropical forest fragmentation from agricultural expansion alters the microclimatic conditions of the remaining forests, with effects on vegetation structure and function. However, little is known about how the functional trait variability within and among tree species in fragmented landscapes influence and facilitate species’ persistence in these new environmental conditions. Here, we assessed potential changes in tree species’ functional traits in riparian forests within six riparian forests in cropland catchments (Cropland) and four riparian forests in forested catchments (Forest) in southern Amazonia. We sampled 12 common functional traits of 123 species across all sites: 64 common to both croplands and forests, 33 restricted to croplands, and 26 restricted to forests. We found that forest-restricted species had leaves that were thinner, larger, and with higher phosphorus (P) content, compared to cropland-restricted ones. Tree species common to both environments showed higher intraspecific variability in functional traits, with leaf thickness and leaf P concentration varying the most. Species turnover contributed more to differences between forest and cropland environments only for the stem-specific density trait. We conclude that the intraspecific variability of functional traits (leaf thickness, leaf P, and specific leaf area) facilitates species persistence in riparian forests occurring within catchments cleared for agricultural expansion in Amazonia.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2023 |
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Title | Intraspecific trait variability facilitates tree species persistence along riparian forest edges in Southern Amazonia |
DOI | 10.1038/s41598-023-39510-x |
Authors | Leonardo Maracahipes-Santos, Divino Vicente Silvério, Leandro Maracahipes, Marcia N. Macedo, Eddie Lenza, Kathi Jo Jankowski, Michelle Wong, Antônio Carlos Silveiro da Silva, Christopher Neill, Giselda Durigan, Paulo Brando |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Scientific Reports |
Index ID | 70247819 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center |