Reproductive success of Aechmea winkleri, a clonal and self-incompatible bromeliad from the Atlantic rainforest

Abstract

Aspects of reproductive success are fundamental to a better understanding of the evolution and management of wild species and therefore to design successful conservation strategies. In this study, we evaluated the reproductive success and population size of Aechmea winkleri, a bromeliad found in southern Brazilian Atlantic rainforest in only two regions known to date. The southernmost population of A. winkleri was sampled for this study, where three sites were evaluated during two years (2009 and 2010). We found high production of flowers, fruits, and seeds, as well as high pollen viability. However, a significant decrease in the number of fruits with seeds was detected in 2010 at one of the sites. This result is probably related to a decrease in the number of flowering ramets detected at the same site in 2010. Differences at the seed set were found among the three localities investigated. The site with the highest seed set was the same that presented the highest number of genets. We did not detect pollen limitation at the southernmost population in 2009. We found 390 genets in the three sites combined in 2010. Most of the ramets were vegetative, indicating high investment by the individuals in clonal reproduction at the southernmost population. Conservation efforts should focus on preserving habitat and protecting adult plants from environmental accidents, destruction, and harvesting.