Terrestrial bromeliads as seed accumulation microsites in a xerophytic forest of Southern Chaco, Argentina

Abstract

Terrestrial bromeliads as seed accumulation microsites in a xerophytic forest of SouthernChaco, Argentina SUMMARYThe understory of the Schinopsis balansae forests of Southern Chaco is frequently covered by dense populations of two bromeliad species (Aechmea distichantha and Bromelia serra). These bromeliads usually act as traps capturing propagules and litter falling from the canopy. Some populations of these bromeliad species have been removed to ease cattle management, without considering their possible effects on forest regeneration. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the importance of both bromeliads as microsites for seed accumulation of woody and herbaceous species. Ten plots with bromeliads were selected, where one soil sample and one plant of each species were taken. From the material collected among bromeliad leaves, the seeds and propagules were separated. Likewise, soil samples were washed and the seeds were separated from the litter collected. Seeds were determined to morphospecies and counted. There were 352 seeds (230 on bromeliads and 122 in the soil) from 48 species (10 woody and 38 herbaceous species). Seed abundance of woody species was higher on bromeliad plants (70 seeds) than on the soil (six seeds). In contrast, a higher richness of herbaceous species was recorded on the soil. Therefore, both bromeliads seem to be important microsites for seed accumulation of woody species. However, it is not known whether bromeliads are a safe site for seedling establishment.Key words: bromeliads, Chaco, seeds, understory. RESUMENEl sotobosque de los quebrachales de Schinopsis balansae del Chaco Oriental está frecuentemente cubierto por densas poblaciones de dos bromeliáceas terrestres (Aechmea distichantha y Bromelia serra). Estas bromeliáceas actúan como trampas que capturan propágulos y hojarasca que cae desde la copa de los árboles. Estas poblaciones son a veces removidas para facilitar el manejo del ganado, sin considerar los posibles efectos sobre la regeneración del bosque. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la importancia de ambas bromeliáceas como micrositios para la acumulación de semillas de especies leñosas y herbáceas. En diez áreas con bromeliáceas, se tomó una muestra de suelo y una planta de cada especie. Se procesó el material colectado entre las hojas de las bromeliáceas, separando las semillas. Además, se lavaron las muestras de suelo, separando las semillas de la hojarasca colectada. Las semillas fueron determinadas al nivel de morfoespecie y contadas. Se registraron 352 semillas (230 sobre bromeliáceas y 122 en el suelo) de 48 especies (10 leñosas y 38 herbáceas). Las semillas de leñosas fueron más abundantes en las plantas de bromeliáceas (70 semillas) que en el suelo (seis semillas). Por el contrario, se registró una mayor riqueza de especies herbáceas en el suelo. Por consiguiente, ambas bromeliáceas parecen ser importantes micrositios para la acumulación de semillas de leñosas. Sin embargo, no se sabe si las bromeliáceas constituyen un micrositio propicio p...

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Ramet demography of Aechmea distichantha (Bromeliaceae) in two contrasting years in the understory and open areas of a South American xerophytic forest

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