How bamboo influences the seed bank and biotic and abiotic factors of a Brazilian tropical forest

Karinne Sampaio Valdemarin,Thaís Diniz Silva,Débora Cristina Rother,Paula Ponteli Costa,Ricardo Ribeiro Rodrigues

doi:10.1590/0102-33062019abb0363

Abstract

There is a knowledge gap regarding the influence of bamboos on natural regeneration. This study evaluated how abundance, richness, dominance, evenness, diversity of the seed bank and biotic and abiotic factors (e.g., canopy opening, herbaceous cover, and litter thickness), differ between bamboo dominated (B) and non-dominated (NB) areas. The study was conducted in a fragment of Semideciduous Seasonal Forest surrounded by an agricultural landscape. Soil samples were taken at 20 points in each area at two time periods, to evaluate the seed bank. The results show that diversity and structural parameters of the seed bank differ between areas and time periods. There was higher abundance and richness of seedlings of herbaceous ruderal species in area B and a greater abundance of seedlings of arboreal species in area NB. Sampling points in the bamboo dominated area had greater canopy openings and greater cover by herbaceous species, facilitating the establishment of individuals belonging to the families Poaceae and Cyperaceae, which could have competitive advantages over other species of the regenerating community. Considering that bamboo can affect the seed bank, long-term studies are needed to understand successional dynamics and evaluate suitable management actions to conserve the diversity in remaining forests.

Highlights

Disturbance-adapted species can affect forest dynamics and structure by facilitating or limiting the establishment of native individuals in the community (Simberloff & Holle 1999; Mack et al 2000; Michalet et al 2006)
Soil samples were taken at 20 points in each area at two time periods, to evaluate the seed bank
The results show that diversity and structural parameters of the seed bank differ between areas and time periods

Summary

Introduction

Disturbance-adapted species can affect forest dynamics and structure by facilitating or limiting the establishment of native individuals in the community (Simberloff & Holle 1999; Mack et al 2000; Michalet et al 2006). Bamboos present a life cycle that responds positively to natural (e.g., gaps, landslide, windy) or human-induced changes in the original community caused by logging and fire (Gadgil & Prasad 1984; Balee 1989; Burman & Filgueiras 1993; Nelson 1994), becoming dominant (Garrot et al 1993). Bamboo-dominance in disturbed areas decreases light availability and negatively affects the germination, growth, and survival of native tree species (Tabarelli & Mantovani 1999; Rother et al 2013; Rother et al 2016). Piracicaba, SP, Brazil 3 Centro de Ciências da Natureza, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 18290-000, Buri, SP, Brazil 4 Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, Universidade de São Paulo, 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil 5 Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 13083-862, Campinas, SP, Brazil

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Results

Conclusion