Portela, R. C. Q., & Dirzo, R. (2020). Forest Fragmentation and Defaunation Drive an Unusual Ecological Cascade: Predation Release, Monkey Population Outburst and Plant Demographic Collapse. Biological Conservation, 252, Article 108852.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108852

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: The Harvesting of the Endangered Palm Euterpe edulis in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: The Case of Linear Canopy Openings

  AUTHORS: Pablo José Francisco Pena Rodrigues, Mariana de Andrade Iguatemy, Talita Reis

  KEYWORDS: Extinction, Exploitation, Forest Product, Species Survival, Sustainability

  JOURNAL NAME: Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, Vol.11 No.12, December 29, 2023

  ABSTRACT: The palm Euterpe edulis was historically very exploited by humans and even today, many individuals are cut down by collectors to harvest the edible palm hearts. The ecological aspects of this anthropogenic pressure and its related effects are poorly understood. Here we investigate if linear canopy openings in a fragment of Brazilian Atlantic Forest can cause edge effects and facilitate predatory harvesting by humans. We sampled in Tinguá Biological Reserve (Southeastern Brazil) native palm populations at forest edges adjacent to two linear canopy openings, and in the forest interior far from any edge. Our 8-year monitoring showed that the linear canopy openings negatively affected the palm populations reducing its density and regeneration mainly on edges, but no local extinction was observed. Thus, the direct human impact from harvesting, adverse survival conditions on edges and interspecific competition causes population declines with no local extinction, so this suggests that E. edulis may resist even under strong anthropogenic pressure.