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Ferns as Ecological Indicators

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Ferns

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Abstract

Many studies have been done with ecological indicators, since they are easily measurable substitutes for unmeasured ecological values or when extensive studies (with big scales) are nonviable due to budget and time constraints. Ecological indicators can be a species or group of species, which readily reflect the biotic and abiotic state of an environment. This definition includes only species and/or groups of them, but other taxonomic levels (families and genera) or even ecological attributes (richness and diversity) could be adopted. Ferns have great potential as ecological indicators, due to the correlation between their geographic distribution and abiotic variables. The objective of this chapter is to present a general discussion about the types of ecological indications already analyzed for ferns. Some studies consider them as indicators of vegetation; soils; environments; ecosystems (classification); environmental integrity (or quality); disturbance; regeneration/restoration of habitats and/or ecosystems; climate changes; contamination of air, soil, or water; and association with other groups of organisms. Despite the great potential that this group has as ecological indicators, there are some difficulties, which must be remedied or further discussed in the future, in the establishment of ferns as indicators, such as the lack of practical application and the absence of ecological information for some taxa.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Aline Possamai Della

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  1. Aline Possamai Della
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Centre for Plant Biotechnology, St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Palayamkottai, India

    Johnson Marimuthu

  2. Dept. of Organisms and Systems Biology, Area of Plant Physiology, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

    Helena Fernández

  3. Department of Botany and Biotechnology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

    Ashwani Kumar

  4. Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Alwarkurichi, Tamil Nadu, India

    Shibila Thangaiah

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Della, A.P. (2022). Ferns as Ecological Indicators. In: Marimuthu, J., Fernández, H., Kumar, A., Thangaiah, S. (eds) Ferns. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6170-9_25

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