University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Christina Tirler
(2014):
STRASSEN ALS AUSBREITUNGSWEGE INVASIVER PFLANZENARTEN AM BEISPIEL EINES CERRADO GEBIETES UNTER EINBEZUG DER RUDERALVEGETATION.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Botanik (Botany),
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 106.
UB BOKU
obvsg
- Abstract:
- The Cerrado savannah, located in central Brazil, is the country’s second largest ecosystem. It is known for its richness in flora and fauna and is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Human impact, like intense agricultural use, poses an immense threat to this area. An increase in settlement areas in the Cerrado leads to constant infrastructural adjustments. The extension of the road system causes not only fragmentation but also reinforces the distribution of invasive plants in this area. Ruderal plants are highly abundant especially along roadsides. The aim of this study is to focus on the presence of invasive and ruderal species along an arterial road close to the city of Uberlândia. It was shown that with growing distance to the city a gradually decreasing number of invasive species is present. Ruderal species however occur constantly along the transect. Collected data are compared to two study plots within the Panga Ecological Station, a protected study site, serving as reference plots. This study allowed drawing conclusions about formation and frequency of invasive and ruderal species in the study area. Furthermore a correlation between level of hemeroby and presence of these species was proposed. Increasing human impact across the area causes a rise in dispersal of native and ruderal species which will make this topic one of great importance in the near future in the Cerrado in central Brazil.
- Beurteilende(r): Bernhardt Karl Georg