Acnistus arborescens (Solanaceae): an important food resource for birds in an Atlantic Forest site, Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Biotic interactions related to the consumption of floral nectar and fruits as food resource by birds promoting plant pollination and dispersal, are essential for forest ecosystem functioning. The daily interaction of birds with Acnistus arborescens (Solanaceae), a shrub-tree, was studied in the Itatiaia National Park and its surroundings. Reproductive phenology was monthly monitored in eighteen individuals in 2015. During flowering (August to November) and fruiting (September to December) the interaction birds-plant was studied. Flowers were visited by seven hummingbird species and several insects. Fruit set was 87.3%. Thirty-five bird species of eleven families consumed its fruit. Thraupidae with sixteen bird species was the family responsible for most of its frugivory (53.9%). Considering that more than 10% of the birds richness of Itatiaia National Park - INP interacts with A. arborescens, it can be considered an important plant species in maintaining local bird diverstity. Thus, for attracting many birds, A. arborescens can be used in the process of recovery of degraded areas, and also as a focal plant species for environmental education programs and birdwatching.

Selecting Native Species for Soil and Water Bioengineering Techniques: Alternative to Restore Areas in Brumadinho, MG, Brazil

“…Plants with high SRL are therefore desirable to reduce soil erosion because fine roots are more efficient in soil fixation and have higher tensile strength values, thereby more effectively contributing to increasing soil shear strength (Reubens et al, 2007;Hudek et al, 2017). Aximoff et al (2020) indicate the use of the species A. arborecens as an attractive plant in the nucleation process during the recovery of disturbed sites in the Atlantic Forest. In addition to its pioneering behavior, the species' large supply of flowers and fruits attracts a wide assemblage of nectarivorous and frugivorous birds, which bring propagules from other forest areas and favor local ecological succession.…”

Interações entre aves e plantas: um estudo bibliométrico sobre a contribuição das aves como polinizadoras e dispersoras da flora

“…Dessa forma, as espécies de aves frugívoras possuem grande relevância na recuperação de áreas degradadas, como também, as espécies polinizadoras. Por possuírem uma grande capacidade de voar e se deslocar rapidamente, as aves percorrem grandes distâncias em curto espaço de tempo e assim, são capazes de dispersar sementes em grandes distâncias (AXIMOFF; SOARES; BERNADELLO, 2020;HOWE;SCHUPP;WESTLEY, 1985).…”