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VEGETATION COVER AND REGENERATION AS PREDICTORS OF DESERTIFICATION PROCESS IN DRY FOREST IN BRAZIL
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  • Stefanny Martins de Souza,
  • Maiara Bezerra Ramos,
  • Maria Gracielle Rodrigues Maciel,
  • Sonaly Silva da Cunha,
  • José João Lelis Leal de Souza,
  • Sérgio de Faria Lopes
Stefanny Martins de Souza
Universidade Estadual da Paraiba

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Maiara Bezerra Ramos
Universidade Estadual da Paraiba
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Maria Gracielle Rodrigues Maciel
Universidade Estadual da Paraiba
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Sonaly Silva da Cunha
Universidade Estadual da Paraiba
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José João Lelis Leal de Souza
Universidade Federal de Vicosa
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Sérgio de Faria Lopes
Universidade Estadual da Paraiba
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Abstract

The Brazilian Caatinga is one of the most diverse dry forests on the planet. Half of its original coverage is degraded, and it is currently identified as one of the main areas undergoing desertification. Natural regeneration depends on climatic and edaphic conditions, as well as the adult stratum present in an area. Despite its importance, this process is little known in the Caatinga. Thus, we aimed to analyze how the anthropic disturbance, vegetation cover, and soil properties influence regenerating stratum under different Caatinga vegetation cover levels. Our study was executed in the driest region of Brazil. We classified our studied areas as Area I (less vegetation cover) and Area II (greater coverage). Six plots of 50 x 20 m were delimited for sampling the adult and regenerating stratum, and the soil in each area. Our results show interactions between soil characteristics and adult and regenerating stratum. Area II showed greater diversity and a greater number of exclusive species; in contrast, a dominance of species more resistant to limiting conditions was observed in Area I, such as Aspidosperma pyrifolium Mart. & Zucc. The C and N contents in the soil indicated a positive and significant correlation with the diversity of the regenerating stratum. The data revealed that the area with less vegetation cover, richness, and diversity presented indications of desertification.
26 Feb 2024Submitted to Land Degradation & Development
26 Feb 2024Submission Checks Completed
26 Feb 2024Assigned to Editor
03 Mar 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
16 Jun 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
09 Jul 20242nd Revision Received
16 Jul 2024Submission Checks Completed
16 Jul 2024Assigned to Editor
16 Jul 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
18 Jul 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
27 Aug 20243rd Revision Received
27 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
27 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
27 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
31 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
09 Sep 20244th Revision Received
10 Sep 2024Submission Checks Completed
10 Sep 2024Assigned to Editor
10 Sep 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
13 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Accept