ABSTRACT
Understanding the responses that some plants exhibit to acclimatize and thrive in different light environments can serve as a guideline to optimize their production or establishment. Morpho-physiological changes in Crescentia alata and Enterolobium cyclocarpum were examined in response to varying light levels: 25%, 35%, 55% and 70% of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of total solar radiation. One-month-old seedlings were subjected to the light treatments; subsequently, the effects on morphology, photosynthetic capacity, nutrient status, non-structural carbohydrate reserves (NSC) and growth were evaluated in three-month-old seedlings. Light levels affected several morpho-physiological parameters. C. alata responded better to higher light levels and E. cyclocarpum to lower levels. Particularly, C. alata with 70% PPFD increased its size in height and diameter, and accumulated more biomass in leaves, stems, and roots; it also exhibited higher net assimilation rates, improved nitrogen and phosphorus status and growth. In contrast, E. cyclocarpum with 25% PPFD increased aboveground biomass, nitrogen levels and NSC in leaves. Both species show morpho-physiological changes that determine their ability to acclimatize to different light conditions. This serves as a basis for designing better management strategies in the nursery or field by defining the light environments conducive to a proper functioning.
ABSTRACT
Dioon holmgrenii De Luca, Sabato et Vázq.Torres is an endangered species; it is endemic and its distribution is restricted to the biogeographic province of the Mexican Pacific Coast. The aim of this work was to determine the diversity and genetic structure of nine populations. The genetic diversity parameters and Wright's F statistics were determined with six microsatellite loci. The genetic structure was determined by using the Structure software and by a discriminant analysis. The genetic diversity of the populations was high. The proportion of polymorphic loci was 0.89, the observed heterogeneity was higher (Ho = 0.62 to 0.98) than expected (He = 0.48 to 0.78), and the fixation index was negative (IF = -0.091 to -0.601). Heterozygous deficiency (FIT = 0.071) was found at the species level and heterozygotes excess (FIS = -0.287) at the population level. The genetic differentiation between populations was high (FST = 0.287), with the number of migrants less than one. Three groups of populations were differentiated, and the variation within populations, between populations, and between groups was: 65.5, 26.3, and 8.2%, respectively. Multiple factors explain the high genetic diversity, while the genetic structure is due to geographic barriers. Community reserves are urgent in at least one most diverse population of each group.
ABSTRACT
Resumen Dioon holmgrenii esta catalogada en peligro de extinción y es endémica del sur de Oaxaca, México. A pesar de la situación de esta especie, no existe información específica sobre aspectos ecológicos para cada población. Esto dificulta la autorización de planes de manejo para su conservación. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar los atributos dendrométricos, la estructura poblacional y la diversidad de estadios en diez poblaciones de D. holmgrenii localizadas en la Sierra Madre del Sur de Oaxaca. Cuatro unidades de muestreo (UM) de 25 x 50 m cada una (1 250 m2) se establecieron por población, 40 UM en total (50 000 m2). La densidad de plantas, el diámetro basal (DB), área basal (AB), altura de tallo (AT), diámetro de copa (DC), área de copa (AC) y número de hojas (NH) de los individuos se evaluó de enero a mayo 2013. Con estos datos se determinó la estructura poblacional, índice de dominancia estructural (IDE), heterogeneidad (H´), uniformidad (E) y semejanza (ISct) de estadios. La densidad en las poblaciones varió de 148 a 954 plantas ha-1. El área basal total fluctuó de 1.3 a 17.6 m2 ha-1 y área de copa total osciló de 78.3 a 1 136.3 m2 ha-1. Los atributos dendrométricos de los individuos (DB = 7.7 a 13.4 cm, AB = 0.010 a 0.023 m2, AT = 0.20 a 0.47 m, DC = 0.49 a 1.09 m, AC = 0.55 a 1.55 m2 y NH = 7.06 a 14.90) fueron diferentes entre las poblaciones (p ˂ 0.05). Adulto 1 y adulto 2 tuvieron mayor IDE (0.01 a 5.63) en todas las poblaciones. La estructura poblacional más común fue aquella donde juvenil 1 y juvenil 2 tuvieron las proporciones más bajas de individuos, mientras que adulto 1 tuvo la más alta. La heterogeneidad (H´= 1.05 a 1.71) y uniformidad (E = 0.57 a 0.88) de estadios fueron significativamente diferentes entre las poblaciones (p˂0.05), con al menos cuatro estadios (3.91 = 48.9x8/100) diferentes entre ellas para la mitad de las comparaciones (22 de 45) de semejanza (ISct < 0.68). La diversidad alfa de estadios fue alta en poblaciones donde no se dañaron las plantas, en contraste a la diversidad beta que fue baja entre poblaciones con presencia de actividad humana. Estadios con alto vigor reproductivo (adulto 1 y adulto 2) presentaron una mayor dominancia estructural en todas las poblaciones. Estos resultados pueden ayudar a la conservación in-situ de D. holmgrenii y se recomienda sean considerados en la elaboración y aplicación de planes de manejo de sus poblaciones.
Abstract Dioon holmgrenii is an endangered species and found in Southern Oaxaca, Mexico. Notwithstanding the extintion condition of this species, there is no relevant information on the ecological aspects of its populations, and this situation complicates the approval of management plans for its conservation. Our aim was to study D. holmgrenii forest characteristics, population structure and life-stages diversity in ten populations located in Sierra Madre del Sur, Oaxaca. For this, four sampling units (SU) measuring 25 x 50 m each (1 250 m2) were established per population, 40 SU in total (50 000 m2). Basal diameter (BD), basal area (BA), stem height (AT), crown diameter (DC), crown area (AC), and number of leaves (NH), were measured for each individual, from January to May 2013. Additionally, plant density, population structure, structural dominance index (IDE), heterogeneity (H'), evenness (E) and similarity (ISct) of life-stages (seedling, juvenile 1, juvenile 2, pre-reproductive, adult 1, adult 2, adult 3, and adult 4) were assessed. Plant density ranged from 148 to 954 individuals ha-1. Total basal area ranged from 1.3 to 17.6 m2.ha-1, and total crown area varied from 78.3 to 1 136.3 m2.ha-1. Forest traits of each individual (DB= 7.7 to 13.4 cm, AB= 0.010 to 0.023 m2, AT= 0.20 to 0.47 m, DC= 0.49 to 1.09 m, AC= 0.55 to 1.55 m2 and NH= 7.06 to 14.90) were different (p˂0.05) among populations. The highest values of IDE (0.01 to 5.63) were found in adult 1 and adult 2 in all populations. The most common population structure was found in those populations with the lowest proportions in juvenile 1 and juvenile 2, and the highest proportion in adult 1. Heterogeneity (H'= 1.05 to 1.71) and uniformity (E= 0.57 to 0.88) of life-stages were significantly different among populations (p˂0.05), and at least four life-stages (3.91= 48.9x8/100) were different among populations for half of the comparisons (22 of 45) of similarity (ISct < 0.68). Alfa diversity of life-stages was high in populations without plant damage, while beta diversity was low in those populations with human presence. Life-stages with the highest reproductive vigour (adult 1, adult 2) showed the highest structural dominance in all populations. These results may support the design and operation of management plans of D. holmgrenii populations, to enhance its protection in the area.
