EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE MATRIX IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION: EFFECTS ON SEMIDECIDUOUS TROPICAL FORESTS IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Deforestation process results in a large archipelago of small forest fragments isolated from each other. This is especially important in the Atlantic Forest, a biome with great human occupation and which has been severely deforested. Thus, there is a necessity for verify the effects that different matrices can exert on these remnants. In this study we verified the effect that sugarcane, pasture and Eucalyptus matrices can have on forest remnants. It was hypothesized that monoculture of Eucalyptus could protect the fragments given their size and relative longevity. The fragments evaluated presented clear signs of edge effect. The forest fragments surrounded by Eucalyptus interface presented greater species richness, lower dominance and a lower incidence of pioneer species indicating a degree of protection and a more advanced stage of succession. The use of trees in the surrounding matrix of fragments can be implemented to provide a stable and continuum forest condition, increasing the protection of these remnants with ecological benefits.