Pinus is the most invasive woody taxon, exceeded only by herbaceous plants. This study reports the reproductive biology and early establishment of Pinus elliottii Engelm. var.elliottii, describing its invasive properties in a protected natural area of the Brazilian coastal sandy plains. We evaluated the seed germination and rain, longevity of seed viability and the initial dynamics of the seedlings of Pinus elliottii var elliottii through field and laboratory experiments. We recorded a continuous seed rain of about 204.0 viable seeds m -2 per year, with a 90 % germination rate. The seeds exhibited a low longevity of viability in the soil and a dense, permanent seedling bank that may explain the high levels of pine invasion. The environmental impact caused by the pine's biological invasion suggests the recommendation for its immediate eradication, together with a restoration plan to restitute the native biodiversity gradually.
In southern Brazil some species of Dyckia genus occur as rheophytes. Dyckia ibiramensis is an endemic bromeliad that occurs in discrete patches of the rocky banks along Itajaí do Norte River, Santa Catarina state. Four populations along Itajaí do Norte River were studied. In each population, all rosettes were counted and the diameter of each rosette was measured. The spatial distribution of the rosettes was identified as an isolated rosette or a clump. The clumps were classified according to the number of rosettes. The total number of rosettes per population ranged from 295 to 1,412. Most rosettes occur in clumps (98.1%), and 41% have reproductive rosettes. The number of rosettes per clump ranged from two to 43 rosettes. The percentage of reproductive rosettes per population ranged from 7.8 to 26.7%. The correlation between the number of clumps or between the total number of rosettes and the area of occupation was significant and positive. Few seedlings and isolated rosettes, production of offshoots occurred on both immature, and reproductive rosettes, and clumps with few rosettes can indicate the clonal propagation predominate in D. ibiramensis. Therefore, the maintenance and monitoring of the populations are essential for its long-term in situ conservation.
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