Predação e germinação de sementes de Syagrus romanzoffiana em diferentes situações: implicações para a restauração ecológica

Abstract

Natural regeneration is fundamental for the maintenance and recovery of tropical ecosystems, especially in threatened biomes such as the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado. Among the processes that determine the success of regeneration, seed dispersal, predation, and germination stand out, reflecting interactions between fauna, flora, and microenvironmental conditions. Palms, belonging to the family Arecaceae, are particularly important in this context, and Syagrus romanzoffiana (Jerivá) stands out for its wide distribution, relevance to frugivorous fauna, and frequent use in ecological restoration initiatives. This study investigated how different environmental conditions — open and closed habitats — influence seed predation and germination of S. romanzoffiana in the municipality of Buri, SP, Brazil. Mature fruits were collected from individuals across both habitat types, and seeds were classified in terms of integrity and traits such as endocarp thickness, length, width, and mass, and subjected to germination tests under controlled conditions. Microenvironmental variables, including light availability, ground cover, moisture, height, and canopy openness, were considered in interpreting the observed patterns. Distribution maps and spatial analyses allowed us to relate palm locations to seed predation, providing information on environmental factors that may influence the species’ reproductive success. Results showed that fruits from forested areas (closed habitats) had higher mass compared to fruits from open areas, indicating that morphological traits vary with the environment and may influence interactions with fauna. Regarding predation, no significant difference was observed between open and closed habitats, suggesting that, despite structural differences, seed predation pressure remains relatively constant. No seeds germinated during the 122-day monitoring period, possibly due to natural dormancy. Additionally, seeds with thicker endocarps showed lower predation probability, reinforcing that functional traits influence early species success. In conclusion, although predation did not differ significantly between habitat types, morphological differences in fruits and seeds, along with microenvironmental variables, can affect species regeneration, even when germination does not occur immediately. These results emphasize that seed traits and environmental conditions should be considered in ecological restoration strategies, contributing to the planning and management of fragmented tropical ecosystems.