Study area
This study region near Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brazil (-12°04′73.9″S
-55°43′85.0″W) represents topography and vegetation typical of the
ecotone between the Cerrado (dominated by shrubland and grassland) and
Amazonia (tropical forests) biomes (Mittermeier et al., 2003). The
southern border of the Amazon rainforest was once contiguous dry,
tropical forest that has been rapidly deforested by agricultural
activity and urbanization. This has resulted in a checkerboard-like
pattern of forest and agricultural patches (Fig. 1) with a mix of other
matrix types including urban areas and secondary vegetation.
The area is largely flat and dominated by a hot and humid climate with
daily temperatures showing greater fluctuation than annual mean low
(23°C in June) and high (26°C in September) temperatures. The climate is
dominated by dry (May to October) and wet (November to April) seasons
with monthly precipitation averages ranging from a low of 2 mm in July
to a high of 310 mm in February (climate data obtained to Sinop
municipality).