Plant community change and ecosystem services along anthropogenic gradients in forests

Speakers

Luís Silva | InBIO, CIBIO-Açores, University of the Azores, Portugal

Lurdes Silva | InBIO, CIBIO-Açores, University of the Azores, Portugal

Diogo Pavão | InBIO, CIBIO-Açores, University of the Azores, Portugal

Maria Anunciação Ventura | InBIO, CIBIO-Açores, University of the Azores, Portugal

Fernando Lopes | Faculty of Economy and Management, University of the Azores, Portugal

Abstract

Forests provide a panoply of ecosystem services, but their contribution is not homogeneous. Due to land changes associated with anthropogenic activity, primordial forests have been cleared and replaced by production forest and by secondary forest, often constituted by exotic woodland. This has led to significant changes in biodiversity patterns. Also, ecosystem services, envisioned by local stakeholders, are of considerable importance, notably when addressing forests in conjunction with and other land uses. Thus, different groups (e.g., farmers, foresters, hunters, ecotourists, local residents) might attribute different use values to the different types of forests (i.e., natural forest, production forest, exotic woodland), and to the different landscape elements. The Azores, an oceanic archipelago, with nine diverse islands of volcanic origin, are an interesting region to be used as a model in studies devoted to biodiversity pattern changes associated with anthropogenic activity, and to the potential ecosystem services originated by different types of forests. In this symposium we aim to discuss some of the diverse aspects that can be used to express ecosystem services derived from forest in an island system, including: taxonomic and structural diversity, reservoir of endemic and native species, potential for carbon accumulation, potential for biomass production, touristic relevance, and stakeholder valuation.

Short Presentation

Plant community change and ecosystem services along anthropogenic gradients
Luís Silva

Ecosystem forests in islands: biodiversity patterns and services
Lurdes Borges Silva

Anthropogenic land uses dominate hiking trails in a nature tourism destination
Diogo Pavão

Landscape preferences of tourists visiting hiking trails in a nature tourism destination
Maria Anunciação Ventura

Value attributed to forest and other land uses: the stakeholders?’ perspective
Fernando Lopes