Vegetation patterns in coastal dunes in Brazil

Coastal ecosystems are exposed to threats such as urban development and land use change, which result in the creation of edges. However, there have been relatively few studies on the impact of edges on vegetation in heterogeneous coastal ecosystems. Our proposed project will focus on edge influence on herbivory in the understudied spatially heterogeneous coastal dunes ecosystem (restinga) in Brazil. The Mitacs intern will determine 1) whether vegetation structural diversity differs between edge and interior, 2) whether herbivory (measured as leaf damage) differs between edge and interior, and 3) whether herbivory is related to structural diversity. This project takes place in Salvador (Bahia, Brazil) – the fifth most populous Brazilian city. The restinga study site, 750 m from the coastline, is bordered by an urban area and an international airport. Although found in different biomes (tropical and boreal or temperate), coastal landscapes in both Brazil and Canada are similar in their heterogeneity of different plant communities and in their threats from development and climate change. The proposed project will help understand the impact of development on herbivory in coastal dune systems. Such processes are important for understanding ecosystem health, particularly in regards to threats such as sea level rise.

Faculty Supervisor:

Karen A. Harper

Student:

Partner:

Universidade Federal da Bahia

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Environmental Science and Technology; Sustainability & the Environment

University:

Saint Mary's University

Program: