Biogeographical and biodiversity studies in Iowland Amazonian rain forests typically refer to observed or postulated distribution barriers such as past unfavorable climates, mountains, rivers, river floodplains that divide the uniform tierra firme (noninundated) forest. Present-day ecological heterogeneity within has hardly been discussed this context, although edaphic differences are known affect species patterns both inundated areas firme. Quantification of landscape Peruvian Amazonia...

The major proportion of western Amazon forests grow on fluvial deposits and thus originated in floodplain environments. fluviodynamic character the sites initially colonized by plants was studied along different river types, this information combined with botanical observations from same areas. Special emphasis given to colonizing plant distribution survival relation abiotic environment. Four frequently occurring landform each rich microforms, were recognized colonization process : bars,...

Haffer's refuge theory proposes that during the arid climatic phases of late Pleistocene, tropical lowland forests Amazonia were reduced to isolated patches contributing high species richness present-day forest. The was developed because no obvious historic or modern geomorphic isolation barriers recorded in Amazonia. Analyses radar images combined with stratigraphical data show basinal forelands tectonically active Andes geological setting causes long-term fluvial perturbance. This leads a...

Vegetation was classified and mapped along the small meandering River Kamajohka in peatlands northernmost Finland. The results show a mosaic of thirteen communities, mainly woody grasslands mire types. They may be schematically arranged into developmental order that represents flood-controlled successions on well-drained poorly-drained areas. Channel migration largely determines bound- aries between vegetation groups, river is natural perturba- tive factor causes continuous site turnover....

Abstract. The forest structure in a large, relatively homogeneous area of pristine Picea abies taiga the southern boreal region west Ural mountains was studied along four 500‐m long transects. P. dominated association with Abies sibirica and Betula spp. mean volume living trees 216 m 3 /ha. This value varied among transects, from 138 ‐ 252 Mean density (DBH > 1 cm) (and variation over transects) 2 064/ha (1670 2710). Living classified as dying or seriously damaged made up 2.9 (2.5 3.5) %...

Abstract Aim To provide a quantitative spatial analysis of the riverscape (open‐water bodies and their surrounding areas) Western Amazonian lowlands using consistent surface remotely sensed imagery. Taking into account essential significance fluvial environments for biota, we propose that an enhanced understanding will new insight biogeographical studies in region contribute to these megadiverse tropical lowlands. Location An area 2.2 million km 2 covering Andean foreland region, i.e. upper...

Abstract Aim Geodiversity underpins biodiversity, but the contribution of specific geofeatures or landforms has rarely been explored. In this study, we use multiple vascular plant species diversity measures on alpha, beta and gamma levels to explore linkage between biodiversity co‐located (e.g. gullies, dunes lake shores). We hypothesize that will be positively related geodiversity, which is founded distinct landforms. Additionally, propose different sustain amounts high alpha values are...

Lateral migration of Amazonian lowland rivers causes a vegetation succession on recently deposited fluvial sediments. The forest ground is formed gradually in se- quence, giving rise to age-zonation the successional stages. Using Landsat MSS maps and field observations, we studied variations landform evolution river character. widely used characterizations ac- cording their suspension-load character channel pattern were evaluated relation succes- sion. Sequential forests appear extensively...

In the north-western Peruvian Amazon, a new road has recently been constructed to link city of Iquitos with town Nauta. The crosses lands that are remarkably heterogeneous in terms ecological conditions, comprising distinctive soil types from extremely poor relatively fertile. Although this reality contributes land use potential and human carrying capacity each place, deforestation margins appears equally intensive on all land. mid-1990s, two dead-end roads starting both urban centres were...

A methodology is proposed for systematic map assessment to contribute landscape-change research. Two major topic areas are dealt with, namely: content, quality and usefulness of landscape information on different maps; methods used in the spatial conversion maps into digital systems (e.g. geographical systems). The focus about physical characteristics land cover) uses. approach was tested using a sequence nine large- medium-scale basic island Ruissalo SW Finland from between 1690 1998....

Abstract The complexity and poor accessibility of tropical rain forests render satellite images potentially very useful for geological vegetation studies in these areas. We analysed a Landsat-MSS image from Peruvian Amazonia to find out which methods digital procesing give the most results detecting delimiting different types formations. best were obtained with enhanced colour composites, especially when histogram equalization was applied: that known area clearly visible products, also...

About 160 000 km2 of forests in the border zone between Brazil and Peru are dominated by semi-scandent bamboos (Guadua spp.). We argue that both predicted decreased precipitation during dry season widespread anthropogenic disturbances will significantly increase distribution biomass area. Seasonal dryness favours growth evergreen relation to trees shed their leaves season. Disturbance can be beneficial for bamboo because, as a clonal plant, it is often able recover more rapidly than trees....