Dispersão de frutos e sementes na floresta nacional Contendas do Sincorá, Bahia

Abstract

The seed dispersal process is an important step in the life cycle of the plant species, as the seeds need to be established in a suitable place for germination. The transport of seeds away from the mother plant can be done by both abiotic and biotic agents. The present study aims to detect dispersion spectrum patterns in Contendas of Sincorá National Forest (CSNF), Bahia, Brazil. The characterization of species dispersal syndromes was carried out by observing the diaspores of the materials that are deposited in the herbariums of the Federal University of Recôncavo of Bahia (HURB) and the State University of Feira de Santana (HUEFS) and / or by bibliography where contained information of the species occurring in CSNF. The dispersion syndromes of 210 species were characterized (39% autochory, 34% anemochory and 27% zoochory). Zoochory was the predominant syndrome in shrub species; the anemochory in the trees; the autochory in the herbaceous. In vines / lianas, anemochory and autochory were dominant. The differences in the predominance of the dispersion syndromes reveal that there is variation between the different habits of the caatinga in the CSNF.