Comparing the potential reproductive phenology between restored areas and native tropical forest fragments in Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Plant phenology is rarely considered when selecting species used in restoration actions. However, considering the potential flowering and fruiting phenologies of species is a key point to: (1) evaluate the capacity of restoration actions in reestablishing ecological interactions (pollination and seed dispersal) and ecosystem functions (early germination and plant establishment to reduce soil erosion); (2) determine which species are most suitable to the target site, and (3) identify when and where locally adapted seeds can be harvested and purchased. Here, we evaluate the potential reproductive phenology of species occurring in restored and forest fragments in Southeastern Brazil. We asked whether flowering and fruiting phenological patterns differed among type areas. For such, we compared 14 restored areas and 18 nearby forest fragments and compiled phenological data from the literature for 267 species (84% of species sampled). Despite their low floristic similarity, restored and forest fragments showed close similarity of general potential flowering and fruiting periods year-round, peaking in the dry-to-rainy season. There were only slight differences in seasonality of two out of the eight parameters evaluated. Nonzoochorous species' fruiting was seasonal, while zoochorous species fruiting onset occurred year-round but was slightly seasonal in forest fragments. Comparing potential phenological patterns between restored and forest fragments using a compilation from secondary sources are unprecedented in Brazil at this scale. Our results highlight that applying phenological information, even from literature, is essential to improve the science and practice of future restoration actions, enhancing the likelihood of successful restoration of ecosystem functions and species interactions.

Phenological patterns in ecology: Problems using circular statistics and solutions based on simulations

“…Although we use examples of repeated transect surveys of plants (e.g. Rother et al., 2022) to demonstrate the problem of pseudoreplication, this problem also manifests if movements of the same individuals are used as independent events in radio‐tracking studies (e.g. Lorch et al., 2005; Ossi et al., 2020) or if the calls or songs from the same individuals are used as if they are independent during acoustic monitoring surveys (e.g.…”

“…this scenario, each of F individuals only appears in one time interval, thereby eliminating problems associated with pseudoreplication and marginal totals and obviating the need to apply bootstrap simulations to distinguish uniform and non-uniform patterns. Nonetheless, an additional potential hidden marginal total remains in such scenarios if some individuals do not reproduce during the entire study period.Although we use examples of repeated transect surveys of plants (e.g Rother et al, 2022). to demonstrate the problem of pseudoreplication, this problem also manifests if movements of the same individuals are used as independent events in radio-tracking studies (e.g Lorch et al, 2005;Ossi et al, 2020).…”

Winter dry season reproductive phenology in Bahamian dry forest and implications for conservation

“…Among the diverse consumers dependent on TDFs are migratory birds of conservation concern whose annual survival and reproductive success are influenced by wintering ground conditions (Rockwell et al., 2012, 2016). Understanding how climate variation interacts with local factors to influence intra‐ and interannual variation in TDF dry season flower and fruit production can help prioritize critical conservation areas or inform habitat restoration (Rother et al., 2022).…”

“…Understanding how climate variation interacts with local factors to influence intra-and interannual variation in TDF dry season flower and fruit production can help prioritize critical conservation areas or inform habitat restoration (Rother et al, 2022).…”

Intra‐seasonal and daily variations in nectar availability affect bee assemblage in a monodominant afforested Brazilian Cerrado

“…Plant-pollinator interactions are very dynamic across space and time (Baldock et al 2011;Chacoff et al 2018;Revert e et al 2019;Hachuy-Filho et al 2020). Therefore, assessing variation in nectar availability across seasons and the dynamics in nectar production throughout flower lifespan are important tools to understand better plant-pollinator relationships (see Amorim et al 2013;Morellato et al 2016;Nunes et al 2018 andRother et al 2022).…”