Shadows of the edge effects for tropical emergent trees: the impact of lianas on the growth of Aspidosperma polyneuron

Author(s)

Godoy-Veiga, Milena ^[1] ; Ceccantini, Gregorio ^[1] ; Pitsch, Philipp ^[2] ; Krottenthaler, Stefan ^[2] ; Anhuf, Dieter ^[2] ; Locosselli, Giuliano Maselli ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biosci, Dept Bot, Rua Matao 277, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Passau, Dept Phys Geog, Innstr 40, D-94032 Passau - Germany

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: TREES-STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION; v. 32, n. 4, p. 1073-1082, AUG 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 4

Abstract

Forest edge impacts emergent trees growth by reducing the number of growth releases. This reduction seems to be related with lianas infestation found at the forest edge. Deforestation in tropical regions is raising fragmentation to alarming levels. Not only does it lead to losses of forest area, but also the abiotic and biotic changes on forest edge areas alter the development of the remaining trees. We aimed to assess the impacts of forest fragmentation on the growth of tropical emergent trees. We sampled the endangered species Aspidosperma polyneuron (Apocynaceae) at forest edge and interior in the highly fragmented Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We obtained increment cores of each tree along with data about tree and surrounding canopy heights, plus their current levels of liana infestation. We used tree-ring analyses to estimate age and growth rate of trees. Sampled trees and surrounding canopy were taller at the forest interior than at the edge, even though both sampled populations have similar ages. Overall, trees at forest interior show a lifetime growth pattern common to shade-tolerant species, with a peak of growth rate at 120 years. Indeed, all sampled trees exhibited this pattern before fragmentation. However, trees at forest edge presented constantly slow growth rates for all diameter classes after the fragmentation event. The strong presence of lianas at forest edge prevents trees from experiencing the expected growth releases throughout their lifetime, probably by keeping the leaves of A. polyneuron under shaded conditions. Therefore, the management of lianas at the forest edge is likely the most effective procedure to ensure the growth of emergent trees, guarantying their role on forests structure, carbon storage, and ecosystem functioning. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/09329-0 - Anatomical and dendrochronological analysis for edge effects identification on Aspidosperma polyneuron growth at the Estação Ecológica dos Caetetus
• Grantee: Milena de Godoy Veiga
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 15/25511-3 - Climate and pollution reconstruction based on urban tree-rings growth records
• Grantee: Giuliano Maselli Locosselli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral