scholarly journals Insect herbivores associated with an evergreen tree Goniorrhachis marginata Taub. (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) in a tropical dry forest

2014 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 623-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
JO Silva ◽  
FS Neves
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Insect Herbivores ◽  
Evergreen Species ◽  
Evergreen Tree ◽  
Leaf Herbivory

Goniorrhachis marginata Taub. (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) is a tree species found in Brazilian tropical dry forests that retain their leaves during the dry season. That being, we addressed the following question: i) How do insect diversity (sap-sucking and chewing), leaf herbivory and defensive traits (tannin and leaf sclerophylly) vary on the evergreen tree species G. marginata between seasons? The abundance of sap-sucking insects was higher in the dry season than in the rainy season. However, we did not verify any difference in the species richness and abundance of chewing insects between seasons. Leaf herbivory was higher in the rainy season, whereas leaf sclerophylly was higher in the dry season. However, herbivory was not related to sclerophylly. Insect herbivores likely decrease their folivory activity during the dry season due to life history patterns or changes in behaviour, possibly entering diapause or inactivity during this period. Therefore, G. marginata acts as a likely keystone species, serving as a moist refuge for the insect fauna during the dry season in tropical dry forest, and the presence of this evergreen species is crucial to conservation strategies of this threatened ecosystem.

scholarly journals Vertical distribution, nutrient concentration and seasonal changes of fine root mass in a semi-deciduous tropical dry forest and in two adjacent pastures in the Western Llanos of Venezuela

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-104
Author(s):  
Ana Francisca González-Pedraza ◽  
Nelda Dezzeo
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Distribution ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Nutrient Concentration ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Root Mass

With the objective to contribute to a better understanding of ecological consequences of deforestation on the below-ground system in the Western Llanos of Venezuela, we evaluated the vertical distribution, nutrient concentration and seasonal changes of total fine root mass (FRM) (<2 mm diameter) in a semi-deciduous tropical dry forest and in 2 adjacent pastures of Cynodon nlemfuensis: a young pasture (YP, 5 years old) and an old pasture (OP, 18 years old) in the Obispo municipality, Barinas State. This evaluation included measurements at the end of the rainy season, during the dry season and during the subsequent early rainy season in 2005/2006. Highest FRM was recorded during the dry season, which probably indicates a plant water-stress response mechanism. The highest proportion (63‒88%) of FRM was concentrated in the 10–20 cm soil layer at all studied sites, probably due to a higher nutrient and moisture content at that depth. Non-significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in the total concentrations of organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium in the FRM in soils supporting forest, OP and YP at the evaluated depths. Non-significant changes in the total FRM and nutrient concentrations were observed between the sampling periods and the 3 study sites. YP soils showed a slight increase in FRM that could be associated with the root growth of secondary vegetation, which is considered a weed and is periodically removed. Our results suggest that the land use change from tropical forest to pastures has not significantly affected the mass of fine roots and their carbon and nutrient concentrations. Further studies are needed to determine if these findings apply to other ecosystems.

Croton blanchetianus modulates its morphophysiological responses to tolerate drought in a tropical dry forest

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 1039 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keila R. Mendes ◽  
João A. A. Granja ◽  
Jean P. Ometto ◽  
Antônio C. D. Antonino ◽  
Rômulo S. C. Menezes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rainy Season ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Net Photosynthesis ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Co2 Assimilation ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Light Conditions ◽  
Dry Tropical Forests ◽  
Use Efficiency

An understanding of variations in morphophysiological leaf traits of plant models in dry tropical forests is essential for quantifying C fluxes from forest ecosystems in response to climate changes. The present study evaluated the influences of seasonal rainfall and different light conditions on the gas exchange, nutrients, organic compounds and morphological traits in Croton blanchetianus Baill. trees within a fragment of Caatinga forest. Stomatal conductance (gs) and net photosynthesis (PN) demonstrated variations within the diurnal cycle, with maximum values at approximately midday and minimum values at predawn. The PN and the diurnal integrated CO2 assimilation were lower during the dry season than in the rainy season. Water use efficiency was positively correlated with PN (r = 0.73) during the dry season only. However, the correlation between PN and gs was observed during the rainy season only (r = 0.60). Thus we demonstrated that C. blanchetianus has a remarkable ability to adapt to global climatic changes and could be considered a model in studies exploring water relationships in woody plants; consequently, this species may be important in future reforestation studies.

Insect Herbivores and Leaf Damage along Successional and Vertical Gradients in a Tropical Dry Forest

Biotropica ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederico S. Neves ◽  
Jhonathan O. Silva ◽  
Mário M. Espírito-Santo ◽  
Geraldo W. Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Leaf Damage ◽  
Insect Herbivores ◽  
Vertical Gradients

scholarly journals Multiple Factors Influence Seasonal and Interannual Litterfall Production in a Tropical Dry Forest in Mexico

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1241
Author(s):  
Hernán Morffi-Mestre ◽  
Gregorio Ángeles-Pérez ◽  
Jennifer S. Powers ◽  
José Luis Andrade ◽  
Astrid Helena Huechacona Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Models ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Dry Forests ◽  
Evergreen Species ◽  
Flat Terrain ◽  
Litterfall Production ◽  
Successional Age

Litterfall production plays a fundamental role in the dynamics and function of tropical forest ecosystems, as it supplies 70–80% of nutrients entering the soil. This process varies annually and seasonally, depending on multiple environmental factors. However, few studies spanning several years have addressed the combined effect of climate variables, successional age, topography, and vegetation structure in tropical dry forests. In this study, we evaluated monthly, seasonal, and annual litterfall production over a five-year period in semideciduous dry forests of different successional ages growing on contrasting topographic conditions (sloping or flat terrain) in Yucatan, Mexico. Its relationship with climate and vegetation structural variables were also analyzed using multiple linear regression and generalized linear models. Litterfall was measured monthly in 12 litterfall traps of 0.5 m2 in three sampling clusters (sets of four 400 m2 sampling plots) established in forests of five successional age classes, 3–5, 10–17, 18–25, 60–79, and >80 years (in the latter two classes either on slopping or on flat terrain), for a total of 15 sampling clusters and 180 litterfall traps. Litterfall production varied between years (negatively correlated with precipitation), seasons (positively correlated with wind speed and maximum temperature), and months (negatively correlated with relative humidity) and was higher in flat than in sloping sites. Litterfall production also increased with successional age until 18–25 years after abandonment, when it attained values similar to those of mature forests. It was positively correlated with the aboveground biomass of deciduous species but negatively correlated with the basal area of evergreen species. Our results show a rapid recovery of litterfall production with successional age of these forests, which may increase with climate changes such as less precipitation, higher temperatures, and higher incidence of hurricanes.

Distribution of the community of frugivorous birds along a successional gradient in a tropical dry forest in south-western Mexico

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Carlos Almazán-Núñez ◽  
María del Coro Arizmendi ◽  
Luis E. Eguiarte ◽  
Pablo Corcuera
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Dry Forests ◽  
Bird Abundance ◽  
Frugivorous Birds ◽  
Seed Predators ◽  
Western Mexico ◽  
Successional Forests

Abstract:Few reports have described the relationship between the distribution of frugivorous birds and vegetation successional changes in dry forests. We assessed the abundance and behaviour of frugivorous birds in early, intermediate and mature dry forests in the Balsas river basin, Guerrero, Mexico. We selected nine dry-forest fragments, three fragments per stage, in these three stages of succession. We analysed the vegetation, estimated bird abundances in 10-min count periods, and recorded the way birds process fruits in circular plots (11–15 plots per fragment, 123 plots in total). Birds were classified as seed predators (15% of all individuals in this study), pulp consumers (15%) or legitimate dispersers (70%). Bird abundance was higher in mature forests in the dry season, while abundance and richness of legitimate dispersers and seed predators were positively related to vegetation complexity. Mature forests have a high vegetation complexity and a high cover ofBurseraspecies that produce fruit during the dry season. During the rains, abundance was higher in early-successional sites when the zoochorous plants produced fruit. Legitimate disperser migrants (i.e.Tyrannus vociferans, Myiarchus cinerascensandM. tyrannulus) were widespread, helping the establishment of zoochorous trees such asBurseraspp. in early-successional forests.

Contrasting patterns of morphology, fluctuating asymmetry and leaf herbivory in three plant species of different successional stages of a tropical dry forest

Trees ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 1075-1086
Author(s):  
Joan Sebastian Aguilar-Peralta ◽  
Antonio González-Rodríguez ◽  
Yurixhi Maldonado-López ◽  
Marcílio Fagundes ◽  
Maurício L. Faria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Fluctuating Asymmetry ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Successional Stages ◽  
Leaf Herbivory

The effects of individual tree species on species diversity in a tropical dry forest change throughout ontogeny

Ecography ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. I. Espinosa ◽  
M. de la Cruz ◽  
A. Jara-Guerrero ◽  
E. Gusmán ◽  
A. Escudero
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Forest Change ◽  
Individual Tree

Behavioral responses to seasonality by two Sceloporine lizard species from a tropical dry forest

2010 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marciano Valtierra-Azotla ◽  
Bradford Lister ◽  
Andrés García
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Behavioral Strategies ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Western Mexico ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Resource Levels

AbstractWe investigated behavioral responses of two lizards, Sceloporus melanorhinus and S. utiformis, to environmental seasonality in a tropical dry forest of western Mexico. We conducted focal observations of individuals in the field during both the rainy and dry seasons and compared perch use, foraging and social behaviors and displacement activity within and between species. Our results indicate that seasonal changes occur in the behavior and activity of both male and female S. melanorhinus and S. utiformis. Feeding frequency, social displays, and distances travelled increased significantly in both species during the rainy season. These seasonal changes tended to be more pronounced in the arboreal species; S. melanorhinus. Surprisingly, female S. melanorhinus perched higher than males during the rainy season. Most of the observed changes are similar to the responses to seasonality observed in other lizards, both for species that exist within our study area, and for species that inhabit other seasonal environments in tropical and temperate ecosystems. Thus, the seasonal patterns in behavior documented in this study may represent a general set of behavioral strategies that allow lizards to better adapt to seasonal fluctuations in their environment, such as changes in predation pressure, variation in resource levels, and differences in insolation, temperature, and moisture levels.

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