ABSTRACT Although impacts generated by gaps can affect vegetation, few studies have addressed these impacts in the Atlantic Forest. Our aim was to investigate the effects of pathways of varying widths on vegetation structure and composition, considering dispersal syndromes, diversity, life forms, successional categories and threatened and exotic species occurrence in the Atlantic Forest. We studied three pathways with widths of 2, 10 and 20 m, intersecting a protected area in southeastern Brazil. To assess edge effects, plots were established adjacent to paths (edge) and 35 m from the edge (neighborhood), and in a control area without pathways. Wider pathways (10 and 20 m) exhibited reduced tree height and diameter, high liana density, exotic species, and a high proportion of pioneer and anemochorous species. In conclusion, our results indicate that the vegetation structure of narrow pathways (2 m) is similar to the control area, and that wide linear gaps cause negative effects on vegetation and extend to a distance of at least 35 m into the forest interior. Considering that linear gaps generate permanent effects to vegetation and may affect other organisms, we suggest that these effects must be considered for successful management of protected areas, including planning and impact mitigation.

O inventário da biodiversidade nas unidades de proteção integral implantadas em remanescentes da Mata Atlântica, além de ampliar o conhecimento sobre a distribuição das espécies, pode contribuir para ações de monitoramento e manejo que aprimorem a conservação dos ecossistemas. Os objetivos desse trabalho foram caracterizar as assembleias de aves do Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho, sudeste do estado de São Paulo, quanto à composição de espécies, abundância relativa e associação com fitofisionomias locais. A amostragem foi realizada entre abril de 2006 e dezembro de 2009 pelo método de trajetos de distância ilimitada, totalizando 1000 horas de esforço amostral. Foram registradas 331 espécies, predominando formas florestais residentes e com abundância relativa inferior a 100 detecções. Vinte e cinco espécies estão ameaçadas de extinção no estado de São Paulo.

The biodiversity inventory in protected areas from Atlantic Forest can increase knowledge about species distribution and contribute to monitoring and management actions that enhance the ecosystems conservation. Our objectives were to characterize bird assemblages at Carlos Botelho State Park, São Paulo southeastern Brazil, regarding species composition, relative abundance and association with local vegetation types. Sampling was conducted between April 2006 and December 2009 by transects, resulting in 1,000 hours of sampling effort. We recorded 331 species, most showed relative abundance lower than 100 detections. Twenty-five species are threatened in the state of São Paulo.