Reproductive success and pollination of two tree species planted in a restored area of Atlantic Semideciduos Forest

• Grant number: 12/21811-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2013
• End date: November 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Elenice Mouro Varanda
• Grantee: Rodolfo Liporoni Dias
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Ecological restoration has been growing in the tropics due the increasing devastation of natural habitats. However, the novelty and complexity of this activity makes it still poorly understood, demanding studies to be done. In this context, reproductive success assessments can be used as indicators of restoration success, especially when linked to floral visitors or pollinators surveys. This study aims to perform experimental pollination treatments to calculate the reproductive success of two tree pioneer species widely used in recompositions. The project will be carried out in a restored area of Atlantic Semideciduos Forest in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Floral visitors abundance, richness and frequency will be evaluated in those plants as well. We intend to evaluate whether the pollination process is reestablished, and whether the fruit set of individuals are appropriate to the population to self-maintain in the restored area. The results will contribute to our understanding of the reestablishment of ecological processes, creating valuable information to restoration ecology. (AU)