The Role of Environmental Heterogeneity in the Seed Rain Pattern

Monique Perini,Henrique Machado Dias,Sustanis Horn Kunz

doi:10.1590/2179-8087.040618

Monique Perini, Henrique Machado Dias + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087.040618

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Abstract

ABSTRACT We focus on understanding the influence of environmental variables on ecological processes, and such a focus promotes an integrated view of forest ecological patterns. The following questions were made: Do variations in temperature, precipitation, litterfall deposition and light intensity influence the density and composition of seed rain in a stretch of the Montane Atlantic Rainforest? Is there a pattern for dispersal syndrome in Montane Atlantic,? Over a period of 12 months, the deposition patterns of seed rains were evaluated. Seed density and species richness correlated with temperature and precipitation, with species richness decreasing with increasing altitude and seed density increasing as a function of the light incidence. Seed rain followed a seasonal deposition pattern with higher seed density and species richness in the higher rainfall period. Increasing trend in seed density was found in mountainous areas with northern and northeastern aspects (higher light incidences).

Highlights

Seed rain is one of the key factors in the dynamics of forests for performing ecosystem maintenance functions (Barbosa et al, 2012)
Seed density and species richness correlated with temperature and precipitation, with species richness decreasing with increasing altitude and seed density increasing as a function of the light incidence
Seed rain can be considered a bioindicator that contributes to the monitoring of ecosystem dynamics, as it may vary according to environmental factors, such as water availability, temperature, sunlight incidence and wind, fertility, acidity and soil humidity, as well as the presence and abundance of dispersers and predators (Rahbek, 2005)

Summary

Introduction

Seed rain is one of the key factors in the dynamics of forests for performing ecosystem maintenance functions (Barbosa et al, 2012). Seed production patterns such as the amount of seeds produced and the period of seed production favour germination and seedling development in situ (Li et al, 2012). Seed rain can be considered a bioindicator that contributes to the monitoring of ecosystem dynamics, as it may vary according to environmental factors, such as water availability, temperature, sunlight incidence and wind, fertility, acidity and soil humidity, as well as the presence and abundance of dispersers and predators (Rahbek, 2005). Seed rain varies according to biotic and abiotic interactions in the environment (Barrett, 2013; Zhang et al, 2013)

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