Phenological studies are fundamental to our understanding of how the environment can influence plant growth and reproductive processes. Environmental triggers of fern phenology are poorly known. We investigated the leaf phenological traits of the tree fern Cyathea praecincta (Kunze) Domin in a Brazilian lowland tropical forest with a short dry season. We monitored 47 plants over an 18-month period, measuring leaf production, leaf fertility, leaf mortality and the relation of these variables with rainfall and temperature. Data on leaf expansion and lifespan were also presented. Full leaf expansion in C. praecincta took up to 3 months. The production of sterile and fertile leaves showed dissimilar interactions with climate, a common pattern among most tree ferns studied worldwide. Whereas production of sterile leaves of C. praecincta was not influenced by climatic variability, leaf fertility was driven by increasing rainfall. Some fertile plants (30%) produced exclusively fertile leaves and attained full maturity, playing a key role in the maintenance and growth of the population. The estimated leaf lifespan was 17.9±5.89 months. The finding that leaf mortality was driven by decreasing rainfall is in contrast with most tree ferns, which are not influenced by climate. None of the phenological variables was influenced by temperature. We demonstrated that rainfall plays a crucial role on leaf fertility and leaf mortality of C. praecincta in a tropical forest remnant with a short dry season and inversely related rainfall and temperature.
This study aimed to determine the population structure of Cyathea praecincta (Kunze) Domin in an Atlantic Forest fragment in Northeastern Brazil. Individuals of C. praecincta were recorded inside 1800 m 2 of interior forest area. Caudex height was measured in order to classify specimens into length classes and relate this variable with fertility of individuals. Ninety-eight individuals were sampled, featuring a low population density (5.4 individuals per 100 m-2) when compared to other tree fern populations. The spatial distribution was clustered (Ia = 2.12; p = 0.0002) and the length class distribution followed an exponential or reverse J-shaped pattern. The high number of individuals classifi ed in the smaller length class (0 to 0.25 m) may be an indication that the studied population is under expansion. This endorses the need for conservation of the study area and for reducing the risk of local extinction by disturbances.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.