Journal Article
Apparent environmental synergism drives the dynamics of Amazonian forest fragments
William F. Laurance; Ana S. Andrade; Ainhoa Magrach; José L. C. Camargo; Mason Campbell; Philip M. Fearnside; Will Edwards; Jefferson J. Valsko; Thomas E. Lovejoy; Susan G. Laurance
Ecology · Vol. 95, Issue 11 · pp. 3018-3026 · 2014
Abstract
Many contemporary ecosystems are likely to be affected by multiple environmental drivers, complicating efforts to predict future changes in those ecosystems. We studied long‐term changes (1980–2012) in forest dynamics and liana (woody vine) abundance and biomass in fragmented and intact forests of the central Amazon. We did so by contrasting trends in 33 permanent 1‐ha plots near forest edges (plot center 2 or regional climate drivers that influence forest dynamics. Hence, the dynamics of Amazonian forest fragments cannot be understood simply as a consequence of forest fragmentation. Rather, the changes we observed appear to arise from an interaction of fragmentation with one or more global‐ or regional‐scale drivers affecting forest dynamics. Both sets of phenomena are evidently increasing forest dynamics and liana abundances in fragmented forests, changes that could reduce carbon storage and alter many aspects of forest ecology.