Soil seed banks in tropical forest fragments with different disturbance histories in southeastern Brazil

Martins, Andreza Maria; Engel, Vera Lex

doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2007.05.008

Cited by 76 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Furthermore, the limited presence of biotic seed dispersers in early stages is due to the decrease of food and refuge sites [55] and, coupled with grazing cattle and anthropogenic disturbances, may potentially halt the process of plant succession [56]. Since the soil seed bank may be considerably reduced in disturbed fragments [57], seed dispersal can play an important role in the recruitment of plants, and hence contribute towards the composition and density of woody plants and the eventual restoration of these forests [17,58,59]. On the other hand, besides humidity and temperature, other abiotic differences such as inclination and rocky hillsides between mature forest and intermediate and early forest may be influencing the differences in richness and structure of the successional stages.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Structure and Diversity of Woody Plants in a Secondary Mixed Pine-Oak Forest in the Sierra Madre del Sur of Mexico

Almazán-Núñez

Corcuera

Parra-Juárez

et al. 2016

Forests

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Abstract:The biotic province of the Sierra Madre del Sur presents a mosaic of woodlands at different successional stages due to frequent modifications in land use. In this study, we analyzed changes in woody flora across three successional stages of pine-oak forest: early, intermediate, and mature. Vegetation composition and diversity were characterized in 10 plots (each 0.28 ha). The mature stage had the highest values for species richness, abundance, and diversity. Pioneer plants were dominant in the early-successional site and may promote the establishment of late-successional species. The vegetation structure was more complex in the mature stage, where members of the Quercus genus were co-dominant with Pinus species. Pine tree richness was highest in the early-successional stage, and its abundance increased at the intermediate-successional site. These results suggest that Pinus species can grow in perturbed and sunny environments but also require favorable edaphic and microclimatic conditions, such as those found in intermediate woodlands. Results of this fieldwork support the initial floristic composition succession model, which suggests that species present at early stages will also occur in subsequent stages. Ecological succession may be considered to be a natural restoration process, and thus, conservation strategies should focus on maintaining distinct successional communities in addition to mature forests in order to preserve a high number of species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Structure and Diversity of Woody Plants in a Secondary Mixed Pine-Oak Forest in the Sierra Madre del Sur of Mexico

Almazán-Núñez

Corcuera

Parra-Juárez

et al. 2016

Forests

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“…This density can be considered very low, especially when compared to a study performed in a similar area, which found a density ranging from 500 to 800 seeds m -2 (MARTINS; ENGEL, 2007). The low germination and diversity highlight the fragility of the remnant, both by the isolation, once there is no external source for the input of new seeds into the area, and by the size of the fragment that presents a quite clear edge effect.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Structure and regeneration capacity of a urban forest fragment

et al. 2013

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ABSTRACT. Understanding the plant communities affected by human activities related to urbanization is an important tool to conserve these. In this way, this study on an urban forest fragment aimed to evaluate, through a phytosociological study and investigation of the germination of the seed bank, the current forest structure, the successional strata, and the regenerative capacity of the remnant. Three different stages comprised this research, the first with a floristic survey of the entire forest remnant, then the phytosociological study of the canopy (PAP above 10 cm) and regeneration strata (PAP 5-10 cm), and at last, the study on the seed bank. The phytosociological survey of the canopy stratum presented 1,368 individuals, with 41 species distributed into 24 families. The stratum of natural regeneration had 665 individuals, being 38 species distributed into 24 families. The seed bank was made up by only 8 native species, and 3 exotic species. The floristic diversity of the seed bank in all samples was low due to few species provide seeds to the soil. In addition, the strata and the seed bank had a low similarity, confirming thus the fragility and the need for preservationist attitudes.Keywords: forest remnant, phytosociology, seed bank.Estrutura e capacidade regenerativa de fragmento florestal urbano RESUMO. Compreender as comunidades vegetais afetadas pelo desenvolvimento das atividades humanas relacionadas à urbanização é um importante instrumento para a manutenção desses. Assim, este trabalho, que trata de um remanescente florestal isolado junto ao meio urbano, procurou avaliar através de um estudo fitossociológico e de germinação de banco de sementes a estrutura florestal atual, os estratos sucessionais e a capacidade de regeneração do remanescente. O trabalho consistiu de três etapas diferenciadas, a primeira com o levantamento florístico de todo o remanescente florestal, após o estudo fitossociológico dos estratos maduro (PAP acima de 10 cm) e do estrato de regeneração (PAP de 5 a 10 cm) e por último o estudo do banco de sementes. O levantamento fitossociológico dos indivíduos maduros apresentou 1368 indivíduos sendo 41 espécies distribuídas em 24 famílias. O estrato de regeneração natural apresentou 665 indivíduos sendo 38 espécies distribuídas em 24 famílias. A composição do banco de sementes foi de apenas oito espécies nativas e três exóticas. Podemos afirmar que a diversidade florística do banco de sementes em todas as amostras foi baixa, isso porque são poucas espécies que proporcionam sementes para o solo. Aliado a isso temos que os estratos e o banco de sementes apresentaram baixa relação o que confirma sua fragilidade e a necessidade de atitudes preservacionistas.Palavras-chave: remanescente florestal, fitossociologia, banco de sementes.

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“…We hypothesized that the different soils recognized by local farmers would be associated with differences in seed bank characteristics. Also, given the variations in the activity of soil biota depending on water availability in the system, we expected the seed bank to be richer and denser at the end of the dry season, although previous studies have reported contradictory results on this issue (Grombone-Guaratini and Rodrigues, 2002;Martins and Engel, 2007).…”

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confidence: 99%

Edaphic and seasonal heterogeneity of seed banks in agricultural fields of a tropical dry forest region in southern Mexico

et al. 2012

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Abstract:The slash-and-burn agriculture practiced across tropical dry regions results in the elimination of native vegetation. Upon fi eld abandonment, the seed bank becomes a potentially important mechanism of natural regeneration at early successional stages. Soil properties and climate seasonality may affect seed bank characteristics, thus we analyzed the effects of these two factors on seed bank density and composition in agricultural fi elds of a seasonally dry tropical region of southern Mexico. Soil cores were collected for the rainy and the dry seasons in order to assess changes occurring in the seed bank from the time of harvest to the moment when succession could potentially start (the next rainy season). The 12 studied fi elds comprised three different soil types recognized by local inhabitants: sandy and stony, silty, and clayey soils, locally known as cascajo, black soil, and red soil, respectively. At each fi eld 20 soil cores (8 cm diameter, 4.5 cm depth) were collected and mixed to form four pooled samples, which were placed in a greenhouse to induce germination. A total of 4,422 seedlings (2,291 seeds m -2 ) representing 40 species were recorded. The most abundant species were, in decreasing order, Melanthera nivea, Rhynchelytrum repens, Waltheria indica, Amaranthus scariosus, Digitaria bicornis, and Cenchrus pilosus. Herbs were the prevailing growth form (> 80% of total richness). No clear pattern was observed in the seed bank related to soil type; however, seed bank characteristics tended to be associated with the time of use of the agricultural fi elds, a variable that was not controlled in the study. Seed bank species richness was signifi cantly larger in the dry season, and although seed density showed a similar trend, it was not signifi cant. The studied seed banks contain no elements of the regional primary tropical dry forest, which suggests that seed banks in deforested areas cannot guarantee their maintenance beyond forested areas. Key words: seed bank seasonal variation, seed germination, soil heterogeneity, tropical forest regeneration, weed ecology.Resumen: La agricultura de roza, tumba y quema practicada en regiones tropicales secas provoca la eliminación de la vegetación original. Cuando los campos agrícolas son abandonados, el banco de semillas puede ser un mecanismo importante de regeneración natural en etapas tempranas. Las propiedades del suelo y la estacionalidad climática pueden afectar las características del banco de semillas. En este estudio analizamos los efectos de estos dos factores sobre la densidad y la composición del banco de semillas de suelos agrícolas de una región de bosque tropical estacionalmente seco del sur de México. Se obtuvieron núcleos de suelo de la temporada de lluvias y de la seca para evaluar los cambios en el banco de semillas desde la cosecha hasta el momento en el que la sucesión podría comenzar (la siguiente temporada lluviosa). Los 12 sitios de estudio abarcaron tres tipos diferentes de suelos reconocidos por los habitantes locales: arenosos y ...

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Soil seed banks in tropical forest fragments with different disturbance histories in southeastern Brazil

Cited by 76 publications

References 14 publications

Changes in Structure and Diversity of Woody Plants in a Secondary Mixed Pine-Oak Forest in the Sierra Madre del Sur of Mexico

Changes in Structure and Diversity of Woody Plants in a Secondary Mixed Pine-Oak Forest in the Sierra Madre del Sur of Mexico

Structure and regeneration capacity of a urban forest fragment

Edaphic and seasonal heterogeneity of seed banks in agricultural fields of a tropical dry forest region in southern Mexico

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