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<p><i>Veredas</i> are wetlands of the Brazilian Cerrado hotspot biome, noted for rich biodiversity and ecosystem services including water provision and carbon storage. Located in gently sloping, low-lying valleys, where the water table emerges and flows slowly, their distribution and abiotic drivers remain poorly understood. We tested whether water availability (precipitation) positively associates with <i>Veredas’</i> distribution, while heterogeneous topography (slope variance) associates negatively. To capture fine-scale variation in climate, terrain, and soil variables, we used a grid-based approach across the <i>Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba</i> region and investigated the effects of these variables on <i>Veredas</i> occurrence. Our results supported the hypothesis regarding water availability, as precipitation of the driest month was positively associated with the probability of Veredas occurrence (R² = 0.03). Furthermore, the hypothesis regarding slope variance was also supported, as it was negatively associated with the probability of occurrence and abundance of <i>Veredas</i> (R² = 0.07 and 0.16, respectively). Microregions with <i>Veredas</i> differed from those without according to 23 variables, indicating that additional predictors contribute to explaining <i>Veredas’</i> distribution. In contrast with previous descriptive, climate-zone comparisons, this study represents the first hypothesis-driven, landscape-scale evaluation of the determinants of <i>Veredas</i> occurrence, consistent with the interpretation that water availability may recharge the water table and homogeneous terrains may facilitate hydromorphic soil formation and slow water drainage. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for identifying priority areas for conservation and water security, highlighting the need for management strategies that anticipate the vulnerability of <i>Veredas</i> to ongoing climate change.</p>

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Disentangling Vereda Wetlands Determinants Across a Wide Geographic Extent

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月16日

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  • Rogério Victor Soares Gonçalves,
  • Nathan Felipe Alves,
  • Raquel Franco Cassino,
  • Yule Roberta Ferreira Nunes,
  • Paulo Eugênio Oliveira,
  • João Custódio Fernandes Cardoso

摘要

Veredas are wetlands of the Brazilian Cerrado hotspot biome, noted for rich biodiversity and ecosystem services including water provision and carbon storage. Located in gently sloping, low-lying valleys, where the water table emerges and flows slowly, their distribution and abiotic drivers remain poorly understood. We tested whether water availability (precipitation) positively associates with Veredas’ distribution, while heterogeneous topography (slope variance) associates negatively. To capture fine-scale variation in climate, terrain, and soil variables, we used a grid-based approach across the Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba region and investigated the effects of these variables on Veredas occurrence. Our results supported the hypothesis regarding water availability, as precipitation of the driest month was positively associated with the probability of Veredas occurrence (R² = 0.03). Furthermore, the hypothesis regarding slope variance was also supported, as it was negatively associated with the probability of occurrence and abundance of Veredas (R² = 0.07 and 0.16, respectively). Microregions with Veredas differed from those without according to 23 variables, indicating that additional predictors contribute to explaining Veredas’ distribution. In contrast with previous descriptive, climate-zone comparisons, this study represents the first hypothesis-driven, landscape-scale evaluation of the determinants of Veredas occurrence, consistent with the interpretation that water availability may recharge the water table and homogeneous terrains may facilitate hydromorphic soil formation and slow water drainage. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for identifying priority areas for conservation and water security, highlighting the need for management strategies that anticipate the vulnerability of Veredas to ongoing climate change.