Phenology of Psychotria tenuinervis (Rubiaceae) in Atlantic forest fragments: fragment and habitat scales

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate (1) whether the reproductive phenology of Psychotria tenuinervis Muell. Arg. is influenced by climatic conditions (precipitation and temperature); (2) whether there are differences in the reproductive phenology of P. tenuinervis between fragments (fragment scale); and (3) whether there are differences in the reproductive phenology of P. tenuinervis among anthropogenic edges, natural edges, and in the forest interior within a fragment (habitat scale). The patterns of flowering and fruiting found in 2002 and 2003 were similar between forest fragments, and proximate factors were not very important in determining the reproductive phenology of P. tenuinervis. There was phenological similarity among the three habitats on a habitat scale, probably because of the extensive heterogeneity within each habitat, with the percentage of flowering and fruiting individuals and the intensity and duration of these phenophases varying among the sample plots. This high variability within habitats indicated that factors other than the distance from the edges (i.e., gaps, matrix composition, and edge age) probably had a greater influence on the reproductive phenology of P. tenuinervis. These results also indicate that heterogeneity within fragmented habitats needs to be considered in conservation and management programs for fragmented landscapes.

Biodiversity, Species Interactions and Ecological Networks in a Fragmented World

“…Edges and interiors may therefore differ in the timing of resource availability and network structure and dynamics. Unfortunately, detailed data remain scarce (Kato and Hiura, 1999;Ramos and Santos, 2005), but an increase in flower production at forest edges associated with high light incidence and temperatures have been reported for some species (Alberti and Morellato, 2010;Camargo et al, 2011;Fuchs et al, 2003;Kato and Hiura, 1999;Ramos and Santos, 2005). D'Eça Neves and Morellato (in press) compared the phenology of tree species between forest edge and interior in Southeastern Brazil and found a higher proportion of reproductive trees along the forest edge (59% flowering and 73% fruiting) than inside the forest (47% flowering and 29% fruiting), and flowering and fruiting were more seasonal in the latter.…”

Tree structure and richness in an Atlantic Forest fragment: distance from anthropogenic and natural edges

“…The annual rainfall for 2003 was 1,210 mm, with the greatest precipitation occurring between November and April (RAMOS and SANTOS, 2005). The vegetation is classified as evergreen forest or Tropical Moist Forest ("Floresta Ombrófila Densa") (RADAMBRASIL, 1983).…”

Reproductive phenology of Miconia mirabilis (Melastomataceae) within three distinct physiognomies of Atlantic Forest, Bahia, Brazil

“…Variations in the reproductive phenology of plant species are influenced by proximate environmental traits -such as precipitation, temperature and radiation -that initiate reproductive phases, and modulated by ultimate factors that select for particular reproductive phenologies, such as pollinators, seed dispersers, and predators (Adler & Kiepinski 2000, Ramos & Santos 2005. The heterogeneity of reproductive patterns within a given population may also be related, however, to differences in microhabitats (Newstrom et al 1994), to floristic and/or edaphic variations between nearby tropical forest areas (Heideman 1989) or to periodic environmental disturbances such as flooding during the rainy season (Satake et al 2001, Haugaasen & Peres 2005.…”

“…As such, the intensity and synchrony of reproductive phenophases may be associated with competition for light (Levey 1990, Siemann & Rogers 2003, Laurance et al 2003, Fuchs et al 2003, Ramos & Santos 2005 or even with limitations imposed on/by pollinators and dispersers (Rocha & Aguilar 2001, Calabrese & Fagan 2004, Borchert et al 2005.…”