Variation on fruit production of Nectandra megapotamica (Lauraceae) trees on the edge and interior of a semideciduous forest – a case study

Abstract

Disturbance is a key factor determining the patterns of occurrence and reproduction of plant species on forests. We compared the edge and interior of a 400 ha remnant and those with the edges and interior of a 35 ha forest remnant of semideciduous forest on South Brazil (Santa Maria Municipality, Rio Grande do Sul) regarding the fruit production (number and size fruits) of trees of Nectandra megapotamica (Lauraceae) as a case study to test if edge affects the phenology of a canopy tree. We have discussed the results taking into account the light incidence and the density of trees in the forest edge and interior. Trees on the edge of the 400 ha remnant produced more fruits than those in the interior, and a significantly higher number of fruits than those in the interior of the 35 ha remnant. Trees in the interior of the 400 ha remnant occurred in higher density and, even receiving less incident light, produced more fruits than those in the interior of the 35 ha remnant. In the forest remnants studied, light may affect fruit production although not in the direct proportion of the amount of light available, as reinforced by the fact that we not have found Nectandra trees on the edges of the 35ha remnant. The tree density appears as an important variable influencing the fruit production mainly on the interior of the better preserved forest remnant, outperforming the advantage attained by the higher light incidence observed in the edge.