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The Megadiverse Rupestrian Grassland

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Ecology and Conservation of Mountaintop grasslands in Brazil

Abstract

The Rupestrian Grassland is an ancient ecosystem characterized by high herbaceous species richness, high endemism, and unique species compositions. The vegetation and habitats in the Rupestrian Grassland are maintained by edapho-climatic factors that limit tree growth and distribution, frequent fires, and, possibly, herbivory. The synergism of the environmental filters caused by these factors and interactions amongst species are the drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem services in this megadiverse environment. But this natural heritage is under threat due to human induced disturbances and by climate change . This book brings to light the most updated synthesis on this unique and paramount ecosystem.

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Acknowledgements

I thank FAPEMIG, CAPES and CNPq for the continuous support of my research that has led to this synthesis. I especially thank Gerhard Overback, José E.C. Figueira and Daniel Negreiros for reading the manuscript and for various suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade/DBG, ICB/Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CP 486, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil

    G. Wilson Fernandes

  2. Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

    G. Wilson Fernandes

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  1. G. Wilson Fernandes
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Correspondence to G. Wilson Fernandes .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerai, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Geraldo Wilson Fernandes

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Fernandes, G.W. (2016). The Megadiverse Rupestrian Grassland. In: Fernandes, G. (eds) Ecology and Conservation of Mountaintop grasslands in Brazil. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29808-5_1

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