Ecological Assessment of vegetation zones across Ilha das Cinzas Island: Plant Functional Traits, Carbon Stock and Biodiversity

Abstract

Ilha das Cinzas, located in the Amazon River Basin, is a critical ecological area characterized by its diverse plant species and unique vegetation. The island's vegetation has a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, influencing hydrological cycles, combating soil erosion and supporting people and biodiversity. This research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Plant Functional Traits (PFTS), carbon stock and biodiversity of core, buffer, and edge zone of Ilha das Cinzas Island using field and satellite-based datasets. Also to verify human impact on land use change and modifications induced on vegetation cover and biomass. To map the vegetation of the study area, QGIS 3.26 software will be employed for supervised classification of Sentinel-2 satellite images at 10 m resolution. Plant Functional Traits (PFTS), carbon stock and biodiversity data will be collected from field. Field data collection will involve establishing ten quadrats of 0.1 ha size in each vegetation type of every zone, where a plot of 0.1 ha will be surveyed to record variability in vegetation. Specific measurements will include plant functional traits such as tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), bark thickness and crown width. Similarly, Carbon stock of dominant tree species will be estimated using volume equations to convert growing stock density into above-ground and below-ground biomass densities, applying biomass expansion factors and wood density values from the literature. Diversity indices i.e., Importance Value Index (IVI) and Shannon-Wiener Index (H') will be calculated by identifying species and recording their frequency in each quadrate. Finally, the Geo-detector model will be utilized for statistical analysis to assess spatial heterogeneity and determine the impact of climatic, edaphic, and anthropogenic factors on vegetative parameters. By integrating spatial analysis with ecological data, the study aims to reveal the complex interactions between plants and their environment, contributing to the conservation and sustainable management of this vital ecosystem.