A comparative study of resource allocation in Pteridium in different Brazilian ecosystems and its relationship with European studies

Author(s)

Silva Matos, D. M. ^[1] ; Xavier, R. O. ^[1] ; Tiberio, F. C. S. ^[1] ; Marrs, R. H. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Hidrobiol, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Liverpool, Sch Environm Sci, Liverpool L69 3GP, Merseyside - England

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brazilian Journal of Biology; v. 74, n. 1, p. 156-165, FEB 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

Pteridium is a cosmopolitan genus that acts as an invasive species in many parts of the world. Most research on this genus has occurred in Europe, and there is a lack of data on it from South America, in spite of causing considerable conservation problems. We compared the biomass allocation of P. esculentum subsp. arachnoideum in two ecosystems in Brazil - Atlantic forest and Brazilian savanna. We measured the biomass of fronds, rhizomes and above-ground litter. We also compared the density, length and biomass of fronds from this Brazilian study with similar data of P. esculentum subsp. arachnoideum derived from Venezuela and P. aquilinum from Europe. P. esculentum subsp. arachnoideum showed a wide response range. We found a negative relationship between frond and necromass, indicating a negative feedback effect, while a positive relationship was observed between frond and rhizome biomass. The continental comparison of relationships showed that Pteridium responds in a different way in both Brazil and Europe, and that in Brazil fronds tend to be longer and heavier, presumably as a result of the continuous growing season in South America while is shortened in Europe by frost. The paper shows the ability of Pteridium to adapt to different ecosystems. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/07976-2 - Population ecology of Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn (Dennstaedtiiaceae) and seedbank, in burnt and control areas within the RECOR, Brasília - DF.
• Grantee: Fernanda Cristina dos Santos Tibério
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 07/05658-3 - Comparative biomass production of Pteridium esculentum subsp. arachnoideum and Pteridium aquilinum from Cerrado, Mata Atlântica and UK stands
• Grantee: Dalva Maria da Silva Matos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research