LINS, K. C.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4237633866389165; LINS, Kamila Cristina.
Resumen:
Forest fragmentation is one of the most important causes of the biological diversity
loss, because inside fragment forest occur biotic and abiotic changes known as edge effect.
This work sought to understand how the edge effect influences the rate of herbivory in the
edge areas of the Caatinga forest. This study was developed in the Mountain Range of Santa
Catarina- PB, Brazil. Collections covered dry and rainy season and were carried out in an
area of 1000 m² of edge and deep forest fragment areas. On each sampled area were
removed five leaves of each plant sampled. When were comparing the rates of herbivory
between different environments and seasons it was conclude that edge areas has highest
herbivory rate compared with deep forest areas. The major rate of herbivory was observed
in the rainy period. Analyzing together seasonality and local of sampled it was found
significant difference, with highest herbivory rate on deep fragment areas in the rainy
season. As for plant diversity, edge environments have a higher diversity compared to forest
interior . Our study reinforces the hypothesis that edge forest tends to present higher rate of
herbivory when compared to its interiors.