Abstract
Abstract The objective of this study was to analyze the morphofunctional attributes of Mixed Ombrophyllous Forest species of different successional categories. Fruits were collected from forest remnants in Curitiba, Paraná. It was analyzed the biometrics of seeds and seedlings of all species and the following ratios were estimated: shoot/seedling length, shoot/seedling mass, cotyledons/seedling mass, eophyll/seedling mass and seedling/ seed mass. Statistical differences among sucessional groups were observed in many of the evaluated traits. The variability among species is mainly explained by seedling size, tissue investment for light interception and shoot resource allocation. Late secondary species have larger seedlings with characteristics that indicate slower initial development, dependent on seed reserves. The pioneers species have smaller seedlings but faster development and earlier dependence on photosynthesis. These morphological and functional differences can result in different strategies for the establishment of seedlings in the successional process. The cluster analysis results on formation of two major groups. The first group is comprised of the late secondary species. The second group includes two distinct subgroups that separate the pioneers, and most of the early secondary species. These results indicate that the number and quality of available data should be considered in the definition of successional categories adopted in ecological studies.
Highlights
Environmental heterogeneity combined with variable responses of plants to abiotic and biotic factors implies the differentiation of ecological niches
The pioneer species had the lowest masses of root, shoot, seed and seedling; and lower cotyledon area and total photosynthetic areas than the late secondary species
The averages of eophyll/ seedling mass ratio and seedling/seed mass ratio were higher in pioneer species than the other groups
Summary
Environmental heterogeneity combined with variable responses of plants to abiotic (humidity, light, temperature, water and nutrient availability) and biotic (competition, herbivory and facilitation) factors implies the differentiation of ecological niches. Species occupy different positions in this process, according to their responses to environmental features and their ability to disperse and become established (Bazzaz 1979; Egerton 2009). The species can be classified into successional groups, according to the plant communities stages in which they are established (Piña-Rodrigues et al 1990; Rees et al 2010). There are some general trends of correlations between seed dispersal/seedling establishment characteristics and the successional stages. The seedlings are dependent on photosynthesis and tend to have relatively rapid development. Such species colonize gaps or open areas and are regarded as “pioneers” (PiñaRodrigues et al 1990; Gogosz et al 2015)
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