Abstract
ABSTRACT The heterogeneous light pattern in forest environments leads to specific morphological and physiological responses. However, anthropogenic pressures in areas such as Atlantic Forest and Cerrado are modifying the light availability, and consequently the forest community composition. The aim of this study was to investigate the plasticity of forest species Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus under full sunlight and shade conditions. P. pseudocaryophyllus showed typical shade plant phenotype, with higher net photosynthesis, transpiration, and chlorophyll a and b contents when cultivated under this condition. The decrease in net photosynthesis under full sunlight conditions is probably related to PSII photoinhibition. In addition, under full sunlight, reduced height, number of leaves, and specific leaf area was observed, while plants in shade increased these characteristics. P. pseudocaryophyllus did not show high morphological and physiological plasticity, which may be a maladaptive response. It was concluded that forest disturbances could compromise the occurrence and survival of P. pseudocaryophyllus.
Highlights
Forest environments have heterogeneous light pattern due to the predominance of trees with continuous canopy (Rossatto et al, 2010; Valladares & Niinemets, 2008)
P. pseudocaryophyllus plants grown under shade conditions showed 56% higher net photosynthesis in comparison to full sunlight
Higher chlorophyll content was observed in plants grown under shade conditions, which is related to an increase in photosynthetic capacity under low light condition (Díaz-Barradas et al, 2018; Mathur et al, 2018; Valladares & Niinemets, 2008)
Summary
Forest environments have heterogeneous light pattern due to the predominance of trees with continuous canopy (Rossatto et al, 2010; Valladares & Niinemets, 2008). Light conditions can affect plant growth and development, modifying leaf expansion and canopy development (Wu et al, 2018). Some human actions have abruptly modified the dynamics of forest radiation. Such events could result in alteration of vegetation types, their range shifts, and the crowding of trees (Nicotra et al, 2010), modifying light availability, and plant growth, leaf area production, and the known patterns of community composition (Pinheiro et al, 2016; Silva & Horwath, 2013; Valladares & Niinemets, 2008). Cerrado and Atlantic forest are among the domains most affected by such changes, which puts several species at risk (Franco et al, 2014; Scarano & Ceotto, 2015)
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