Increasing chronic anthropogenic disturbances and aridity differentially impact pollen traits and female reproductive success of Tacinga palmadora (Cactaceae) in a Caatinga dry forest

Centeno-Alvarado, Diego; Silva, Jéssica Luiza S.; Cruz‐Neto, Oswaldo; Arnán, Xavier; Lopes, Ariadna Valentina

doi:10.1007/s10113-022-01917-z

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Our findings reinforce the pattern that anthropogenic disturbances and climate change may exert distinct effects on plant reproduction, particularly on fruit‐ and seed‐set in tropical dry forests (e.g. Centeno‐Alvarado, Silva, Cruz‐Neto, Arnan, et al, 2022; Centeno‐Alvarado, Silva, Cruz‐Neto, & Lopes, 2022; Lopez‐Toledo et al, 2018; Quironga et al, 2010; Xie, Chen, et al, 2016). However, further investigation is still required to bring a more comprehensive perspective on this topic.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…In an Argentinean dry forest, anthropogenic disturbances increased the number of inflorescences in Trichloris crinita (Quironga et al, 2010). Also, a study carried out in the same area of our study documented that the fruit-set of Tacinga palmadora (Cactaceae) increased under high levels of aridity, while the seed-set increased in areas with high levels of chronic disturbances (Centeno-Alvarado, Silva, Cruz-Neto, Arnan, et al, 2022). However, in most cases, increases in anthropogenic disturbances and aridity in dry forests result in negative effects on flower production and plant reproductive output (Lopez-Toledo et al, 2018;Xie, Chen, et al, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

“…For instance, some sources of chronic disturbances have negative impacts on flower production, fruit and seed‐set in certain plant species (e.g. Ghazoul et al, 1998; Mayer, 2004), but are positively associated with plant reproductive output in other species (Centeno‐Alvarado, Silva, Cruz‐Neto, Arnan, et al, 2022; Lopez‐Toledo et al, 2018; Xie, Chen, et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Considering the plant reproductive success, some studies in tropical semiarid regions have been highlighting that increasing water deficit may reduce pollen production and viability (e.g. Centeno‐Alvarado, Silva, Cruz‐Neto, Arnan, et al, 2022), and the number of flowers and the fruit‐set (Jaimez et al, 2000). Perhaps one of the most challenging scenarios is that of plant populations inhabiting forests exposed to chronic disturbance and increasing aridity, as in some cases aridity could exacerbate the effects of chronic pressures (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Aridity mediates the effect of wood extraction on the reproductive output of an endemic disturbance‐adapted woody species (Cenostigma microphyllum, Leguminosae) in the Caatinga dry forest

et al. 2022

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Chronic anthropogenic disturbances and climate change have been recognized as drivers of biological reorganization across human‐modified tropical landscapes, also negatively affecting the reproductive output of some plant species. Here, we investigated to what extent these drivers affect the reproductive output of Cenostigma microphyllum, a disturbance‐adapted tree species endemic to the Caatinga dry forest. The production of flowers/inflorescence, fruits and seeds was estimated for 105 plants (≥3 cm diameter at soil height) across 11 forest stands (20 × 50 m each), covering gradients of chronic disturbances (e.g. goat and livestock herbivory; wood extraction; and removal of non‐timber forest products) and aridity at the Catimbau National Park. We documented that when the drivers were analysed in isolation, the fruit‐set was positively associated with increased wood extraction, and the fruit‐set and total number of seeds/plots were reduced under increasing aridity. We also verified a complex interaction between wood extraction and aridity emerged. In forest stands, the combination of high levels of aridity and wood extraction leads to a decrease in the fruit‐set and total number of seeds/plots. Conversely, the fruit‐set and total number of seeds/plots increased in stands exposed to lower aridity but high levels of wood extraction. Our results suggest that chronic disturbances and aridity affect plant fitness in a complex way including both negative and positive effects on attributes related to plant reproductive performance, which could result in both proliferation and population decline in the same landscape. Although C. microphyllum benefits from anthropogenic disturbances and is considered a disturbance‐adapted species, it apparently does not benefit from increases in aridity, which is an expected future scenario for the Caatinga dry forest.

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