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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Seed rain in areas with and without bamboo dominance within an urban fragment of the Atlantic Forest

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Author(s):
Grombone-Guaratini, Maria Tereza [1] ; Alves, Luciana Ferreira [2] ; Vinha, Daniella [3] ; Daher Correa Franco, Geraldo Antonio [4]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Inst Bot Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Inst Agron Campinas, Ctr Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento Recursos Genet, Campinas, SP - Brazil
[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Campinas, SP - Brazil
[4] Inst Florestal Sao Paulo, Div Dason, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: Acta Botanica Brasilica; v. 28, n. 1, p. 76-85, JAN-MAR 2014.
Web of Science Citations: 3
Abstract

Understanding the flow of diaspores is fundamental for determining plant population dynamics in a particular habitat, and a lack of seeds is a limiting factor in forest regeneration, especially in isolated forest fragments. Bamboo dominance affects forest structure and dynamics by suppressing or delaying the recruitment of and colonization by tree species as well as by inhibiting the survival and growth of adult trees. The goal of the present study was to determine whether dominance of the bamboo species Aulonemia aristulata (Döll) McClure in the forest understory influences species abundance and composition. We examined the seed rain at two noncontiguous sites (1.5 km apart) within an urban forest fragment, with and without bamboo dominance (BD+ and BD- areas, respectively). Sixty seed traps (0.5 m², with a 1-mm mesh) were set in the BD+ and BD- areas, and the seed rain was sampled from January to December 2007. Diaspores were classified according to dispersal syndrome, growth form and functional type of the species to which they belonged. There were significant differences between the two areas in terms of seed density, species diversity and dispersal syndrome. The BD+ area showed greater seed density and species diversity. In both areas, seed distribution was limited primarily by impaired dispersal. Bamboo dominance and low tree density resulted in fewer propagules in the seed rain. Our results suggest that low availability of seeds in the rain does not promote the maintenance of a degraded state, characterized by the presence of bamboo. (AU)