Spring plant phenology is often used as an indicator of a community response to climate change. Remote data and low-resolution climate models are typically used to predict phenology across a landscape; however, this tends to miss the nuances of microclimate, especially in a mountainous area with heterogeneous topography. I investigated how inter-annual variability in regional climate affects the distribution of microclimates (i.e., areas <100m2) and spring plant phenology across a 6400-hectare watershed within the Western Cascades in Oregon. Additionally, I created species-specific models of bud break at the microclimate scale, that could then be applied across a wider landscape. I found that years with warm winters, few storms and low snowpack have a homogenizing effect on microclimate and spring phenology events, and that bud break models developed at a local scale can be effectively applied across a broader landscape. This thesis includes previously unpublished coauthored material.

The majority of the impact of climate and human induced changes on forest are related to climate variability and deforestation. Similarly, changes in forest phenology due to climate variability and deforestation has been recognized as being among the most important early indicators of the impact of environmental change on forest ecosystem functioning. Comprehensive data on baseline forest cover changes including deforestation is required to provide background information needed for governments to make decision on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REED). Despite the fact that Nigeria ranks among the countries with highest deforestation rates based on Food and Agricultural Organization estimates, only a few studies have aimed at mapping forest cover changes at country scales. However, recent attempts to map baseline forest cover and deforestation in Nigeria has been based on global scale remote sensing techniques which do not confirm with ground based observations at country level. The aim of this study is two-fold: firstly, baseline forest cover was estimated using an ‘adaptive’ remote sensing model that classified forest cover with high accuracies at country level for the savanna and rainforest zones. The first part of this study also compared the potentials of different MODIS data in detecting forest cover changes at regional (cluster level) scale. The second part of this study explores the trends and response of forest phenology to rainfall across four forest clusters from 2002 to 2012 using vegetation index data from the MODIS and rainfall data obtained from the TRMM.

Changes in climate shape biological populations. They can alter spatial distributions, the timing of life history events, and even the species themselves. We are now experiencing a period of rapid directional climate change, alongside seasonal fluctuations. This thesis investigates temporal changes in life history events, phenology, as a climate response. I explore the causes and population level consequences of change in breeding phenology of two wild bird populations from Wytham Woods, UK. I test how great tits (Parus major) and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) achieve temporal synchrony between the peak demands of their breeding and the peak abundance of their prey species (winter moth caterpillars - Operophtera brumata) in an inter-annually variable environment. I demonstrate great tit (Parus major) incubation behaviour fine-tunes the timing of hatching in response to ambient temperatures right up until hatching (Chapter two). Temperatures within the nest box, however, appear to play little role in the breeding phenology of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) (Chapter two). I discuss the merits and limitations of statistical approaches for cue identification (Chapter six), finding the method and time period of data used both affect the cue identified and predictive accuracy. The second part of this thesis explores the influence of a directionally changing environment on great tit phenology. I use an integral projection model (IPM) to predict population dynamics over the 21^st century, showing that if the cues used by both interacting species change sufficiently closely, temporal synchrony can be maintained through both phenotypic plasticity and micro-evolution (Chapter 5). However, if the cues diverge mismatch will arise (Chapter 5) causing population declines when certain thresholds are passed (Chapter 4). This work contributes to understanding how phenological synchrony is achieved, how it might change in the future, and its population impacts. In Wytham Woods it appears that great tits have a great deal of flexibility in multiple components of their breeding cycle, allowing them to retain synchrony with their caterpillar prey in a fluctuating environment. These birds are relatively resilient to negative phenological impacts from climate change. Only if the cues used by the predator and prey completely diverge do we predict consistent declines in population size during this century.

L’étude de la phénologie des plantes est primordiale pour comprendre leur réponse aux changements globaux. Alors que de nombreuses études ont été consacrées à la phénologie aérienne, les difficultés d’observations de la phénologie des parties sou terraines d’une plante, font que leurs déterminants sont encore trop peu connu. La dynamique racinaire est considérée comme jouant un rôle clef dans le cycle et la séquestration du carbone dans le sol, et il est aujourd’hui important de surmonter les difficultés méthodologiques afin de mener des études sur la dynamique racinaire sur plusieurs années en conditions non-contrôlées. Notre premier objectif ici était donc de mettre au point et d’évaluer différentes techniques d’observation de la croissance racinaire sur le terrain. Le modèle choisi pour cela est le noyer hybride (Juglans L.), en système agroforestiers. L’utilisation du scan incorporé au smartphone s’est avéré être le meilleur compromis pour l’acquisition d’image à partir de rhizotrons, excepté en cas d’automatisation de la prise d’images, où la caméra automatique constitue la meilleur alternative (jusqu’à 4 mois d’autonomie). Notre deuxième objectif était de déterminer en milieu naturel les facteurs prédominants de la dynamique racinaire. Nous avons en particulier (i) testé l’hypothèse de la synchronicité des phénologies aériennes et racinaires de la plante, (ii) évalué l’effet de fluctuations climatiques sur la dynamique racinaire dans des environnements contrastés (climats méditerranéen, océanique, continental), (iii) et cherché à comprendre si cette réponse aux facteurs externes était conditionnée par la typologie racinaire. Les résultats ont permis de montrer l’indépendance des phénologies aériennes et racinaires, mais la synchronisation des croissances racinaires et radiale du tronc. Le principal facteur influençant la dynamique racinaire est la température du sol, et à moindre mesure l’humidité du sol avec des effets contrastés selon le climat. Les réponses des dynamiques racinaires aux variables environnementales sont propres à chaque site, avec un fort impact de l’ordre topologique sur les taux d’initiation et de survie. Ces résultats permettront non seulement une meilleur compréhension du jouait par les systèmes racinaires sur le cycle du carbone, mais aussi l’amélioration des modèles écophysiologiques. De futurs études sont néanmoins nécessaires d’autres études sont attendues pour renforcer les connaissances acquises dans ce projet, sur la compréhension des déterminants de l’initiation, de la croissance, et de la longévité racinaire des arbres, notamment via la création de bases de données et l’utilisation de méta-analyses / The study of phenology is primordial to understand tree response to climate change. Although many studies have examined shoot phenology, the difficulties in observing root system growth have resulted in a poor understanding of root phenology. As root system dynamics are considered as playing a major role in carbon cycling and sequestration, it is necessary to overcome methodological difficulties, so that root demography can be studied in the field and over several years. Our first objective was therefore to develop and evaluate methods for studying root system growth in the field. Studying mature hybrid walnut (Juglans L.), growing in agroforests, We showed that smartphone scanners are the best adapted tool for acquiring high quality images of tree roots growing in field rhizotrons. However, time-lapse cameras were good alternatives when a fully automated method was required (up to 4 months autonomy). Our second objective was to determine the main drivers of walnut hybrid root growth in field conditions. In particular, (i) We hypothesized that shoot and root phenologies were asynchronous, (ii) We evaluated the effect of environmental factors on root growth along a latitudinal gradient comprising three climates (Mediterranean, oceanic and continental) and (iii) We determined how phenology and environmental factors influenced root dynamics depending on root morphology and topology. Results show that flushes of fine root growth are not synchronized with budburst and leaf expansion, but are synchronized with stem and coarse root radial growth. Soil temperature was on the whole the main driver of root growth, and to a lesser extent, soil humidity, but which had contrasting effects on root growth. Root topological order had a major influence on root response to environmental variables, reflected in root elongation, production and longevity. Results will be highly useful not only for a better understanding of the role that root systems play in the carbon cycle, but also for tree ecophysiological models. Future studies should expand the knowledge gained here into a global understanding of the drivers of tree root initiation, growth and longevity, through the creation of databases and the use of meta-analyses.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-07-29Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:16:29Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 galati_vc_me_jabo.pdf: 170793 bytes, checksum: d0fabeb3194e3b8aa6988a1e309db1f7 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O experimento foi realizado de 14 de janeiro a 14 de maio de 2009, na UNESP Câmpus de Jaboticabal, SP, com o objetivo de quantificar o crescimento da planta e o acúmulo de macro e micronutrientes do quiabeiro, no decorrer do ciclo, e obter equações que melhores os representem. A cv. Santa Cruz 47 foi semeada diretamente nos sulcos abertos no solo, colocando-se três sementes a uma profundidade de 3 cm e espaçamento de 1 x 0,2 m. O desbaste foi realizado 15 dias após semeadura (DAS). No decorrer do ciclo, realizaram-se coletas aleatórias de plantas com intervalos de quinze dias. As médias foram ajustadas às equações de regressão polinomial e de parâmetros não lineares. Aos 50 DAS houve um elevado incremento no acúmulo de matéria seca nas partes das plantas. Na colheita final, 120 DAS, as folhas, a haste e os frutos representaram 21; 71 e 8%, respectivamente, da matéria seca total da planta. Na cultura do quiabeiro o acúmulo de macro e micronutrientes foi maior na fase reprodutiva. A sequência decrescente de acúmulo de nutrientes pelo quiabeiro foi K, Ca, N, Mg, P, S, Fe, B, Mn, Zn e Cu, em quantidades equivalentes à 6.002,8; 4.733,8; 2.930,8; 1.196,3; 473,7; 436,2; 49,82; 10,4; 7,1; 7,1 e 1,52 mg planta-1. As quantidades exportadas pela cultura foram 146,5; 23,7; 300,1; 236,7; 59,8 e 21,8 kg ha-1 de N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S, respectivamente, e de 520,0; 76,0; 2.491,0; 355,0 e 355,0 g ha-1 de B, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn, respectivamente / The experiment was carried out at Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil, from January 14th to May 14th, 2009. The objective of this project was to quantify the okra crop’s growth and macro and micronutrients accumulation during its life-cycle obtaining equations that best represent it. The cv. Santa Cruz 47 was sowed into furrows in the soil, placing three seeds to a depth of about 3 cm arranged in a spacing of 1 x 0,2 m. The cleaning had been done by 15 days after sowing (DAS). During the life-cycle were colected random samples of plants at 15 days intervals. The means were adjusted to polynomial regression equations set of non-linear parameters. At 50 DAS there has been a dry matter increase in plants’ parts. At the final harvest, 120 DAS, the leaves, stems and fruits accounted for 21, 71 and 8%, respectively, from the total plant dry matter. In the okra crop the macro and micronutrients accumulation was higher in the reproductive period. The decreasing sequence of nutrient accumulation was K, Ca, N, Mg, P, Fe, B, Mn, Zn and Cu equivalent to 6,002.8; 4,733.8; 2,930.8; 1,196.3; 473.7; 436.2; 49.8; 10.4; 7.1; 7.1 e 1.5 mg plant-1. The quantity accumulated of culture were 146.5; 23.7; 300.1; 236.7; 59.8 e 21.8 kg ha-1 of N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S, respectively, and 520.0; 76.0; 2,491.0; 355.0 e 355.0 de B, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn, respectively

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-05-29Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:10:18Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 genini_j_me_rcla.pdf: 456803 bytes, checksum: 6182367c1c334ef43c439af45aeda354 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / As florestas tropicais estão entre os ambientes mais produtivos do planeta, sendo que a quantidade de frutos kg/ha pode chegar a 180-1000 kg/ha. Apesar dessa alta produtividade, a fenologia é altamente sazonal, ocorrendo períodos de escassez de recursos e alta produtividade no mesmo ano e/ou entre anos. Os frugívoros exibem uma ampla variedade de adaptações comportamentais e ecológicas para superar esses períodos de escassez. O presente trabalho avaliou as variações temporais na disponibilidade de frutos consumidos por vertebrados frugívoros na Ilha Anchieta, São Paulo, Brasil. Nós procuramos responder às seguintes questões: Os padrões de frutificação e disponibilidade de frutos diferem entre arbóreas e palmeiras? e Os padrões fenológicos de frutificação diferem entre grupos de palmeiras com diferentes síndromes de dispersão?. Os padrões fenológicos foram sazonais para ambos os grupos, no entanto, as datas de ocorrência dos eventos de frutificação foram diferentes. A produção de frutos também foi diferente entre palmeiras e arbóreas, sendo que as palmeiras constituíram mais de 80 por cento do total da biomassa coletada. Os padrões fenológicos foram diferentes entre as palmeiras com diferentes sub-síndromes de dispersão (dispersas por roedores, mistas e aves) fornecendo recursos alimentares para diferentes grupos de frugívoros ao longo do ano. As palmeiras poderiam constituir um recurso alimentar alternativo em períodos de baixa disponibilidade de frutos embora não forneçam recursos para os diferentes tipos de frugívoros da Ilha Anchieta o ano todo. / Tropical rainforest is considered one of the world s most productive habitats where fruit biomass ranges between 180-1000 kg/ha/yr. Despite this broad fruit production, phenology is highly seasonal in tropical forests, showing alternate periods of fruit scarcity and high resource production both in the same year and/or between different years. Frugivores exhibit a variety of ecological and behavioral adaptations to overcome these fluctuations. We evaluate the temporal variation in the availability of fruits consumed by vertebrate frugivores on Anchieta Island, in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Northeast São Paulo State. We aim to answer the following questions: Do fruiting patterns and the availability of fruits consumed by vertebrate frugivores differ between palms and trees? Do palm fruiting patterns differ among seed dispersed groups (rodent, mixed and bird)? Phenological patterns were seasonal for both trees and palms; however, the times of occurrence of fruiting differed. Fruit fall biomass was also different between trees and palms, and palms constituted more than 80 percent of the overall fruit fall biomass. Phenological patterns differed between the seed dispersed palms groups (rodent, mixed and bird seed dispersed palms) providing food resources in distinct periods for different assemblages of vertebrate frugivores. Palms may constitute an alternative food resource in periods of low fruit availability, although they do not provide resources for the entire assemblage of vertebrate frugivores on Anchieta Island all year.

Submitted by ÉRIKA TIEMI SUZUKI null (eri.suzuki@hotmail.com) on 2016-09-09T20:44:09Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseFinal.pdf: 1934994 bytes, checksum: 624877cb05cd3504cc3dfdb84b970b56 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Juliano Benedito Ferreira (julianoferreira@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-09-13T13:53:01Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 suzuki_et_dr_bot.pdf: 1934994 bytes, checksum: 624877cb05cd3504cc3dfdb84b970b56 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-13T13:53:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 suzuki_et_dr_bot.pdf: 1934994 bytes, checksum: 624877cb05cd3504cc3dfdb84b970b56 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A romã (Punica granatum L.) é uma frutífera exótica bastante antiga, havendo descrições de seu uso na bíblia e em escritos da mitologia grega e persa. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar a fenologia; avaliar o custo de produção e a rentabilidade da cultura; e delimitar a cadeia produtiva de romã na região oeste do estado de São Paulo, pontuando a ocorrência de produção, quanto aos aspectos agronômicos e tecnologias utilizadas em seu cultivo, bem como fornecer informações aos integrantes desta cadeia produtiva e possíveis interessados em investir no ramo. O conhecimento das fases fenológicas e a possibilidade de produção durante todo o ano viabilizam o escalonamento de acordo com as atividades da propriedade, manutenção de renda diluída ao longo do ano e negociação de acordo com o melhor preço; da gema reprodutiva até a maturação completa, a romã leva 111 dias no inverno e 105 dias no verão. Há, porém na cadeia produtiva, forte intermediação e comercialização difusa com logística prejudicada pelo distanciamento dos centros de produção e consumo. O principal fornecedor de romã ao Ceagesp é o estado de São Paulo com participação de 53,48% e preço médio de R$10,52.kg-1, destacando os municípios de São Paulo e Taquaritinga; por esta mesma via, tem sido introduzido novos cultivares, como o caso da romã ‘Wonderful’, importada dos Estados Unidos ao qual é considerada referência de qualidade e repercutido em forte concorrência ao produto paulista. Novembro a janeiro são os meses de maior oferta de romã, enquanto que de junho a setembro há os melhores preços. Tamanho, coloração e sanidade são citados por intermediários e consumidores como aspectos a serem considerados para a compra, sendo requeridos frutos sem manchas, avermelhados e graúdos; além disto, a principal sugestão por parte dos consumidores é o fornecimento de informações referentes aos componentes nutraceuticos, seus efeitos e benefícios. / The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an old exotic fruit, with descriptions of its use in the Bible and in the writings of Greek and Persian mythology. Therefore, this paper aims to study the phenology, assess the cost of production and profitability of the crop, delimit the production chain of pomegranate in the western region of São Paulo, pointing out the occurrence of pomegranate production, agronomic aspects and technologies used in its cultivation, as well as provide information to members of this production chain and possible interested in investing in the business. The possibility of production throughout the year makes it viable to staggering according to the activities of the property, diluted income maintenance throughout the year and trading in accordance with the best price; reproductive bud to full maturity, the pomegranate takes 111 days in winter and 105 days in the summer. There is however the production chain, strong intermediation and diffuse with marketing logistics harmed distanced from the production and consumption centers. The main pomegranate supplier to Ceagesp is the state of São Paulo with a share of 53.48% and average price R$10,52.kg-1, of particular note being the municipalities of São Paulo and Taquaritinga; the same path, it has been introduced new cultivars, as the case of the United States imported pomegranate which is considered a quality reference and reflected in strong competition to the Paulista product. November to January are the months of greater supply of pomegranate, while June to September there are the best prices. Size, color and health are cited by intermediaries and consumers as aspects to be considered for purchase, being required fruits without stains reddish and adults; Furthermore, the main suggestion by consumers is the supply of information concerning the nutraceutical components, effects and benefits.

Orientador: Marco Antonio de Assis / Banca: Fernando Pedroni / Banca: João Juares Soares / Banca: Reinaldo Monteiro / Banca: Leonor Patricia Cerdeira Morellato / Resumo: O Cerrado é a maior savana da América do sul, situando-se principalmente no Brasil, com área core no Planalto Central, abrangendo 97% do estado de Goiás. O Cerrado está desaparecendo em ritmo acelerado, com baixo percentual de reservas e, entre estas, muitas se encontram pouco pesquisadas. Portanto, conduziu-se o presente trabalho na Reserva Pousada das Araras com o objetivo estudar as formações vegetais para averiguar se a riqueza de fitofisionomias, riqueza e diversidade de espécies fanerogâmicas e a razão entre os componentes da vegetação (arbóreo/arbustivo e subarbustivo/herbáceo) são iguais àquelas descritas para o Cerrado. Objetivou também analisar se os padrões fenológicos reprodutivos das formações e dos componentes da vegetação comportam-se como em outras comunidades do bioma. Este trabalho considera que 10% da Reserva é uma RPPN, Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) situada no entorno de uma Unidade de Conservação (Parque Nacional das Emas), presumivelmente uma área com riqueza e diversidade significativas, bem como estratégias fenológicas semelhantes às da maioria das comunidades do bioma, refletindo a sua conservação. A área de estudos localiza-se na região core do Cerrado, Planalto Central do Brasil, estado de Goiás, microrregião sudoeste, município de Serranópolis, coordenadas 51º59'42"-52º00'22"W, 18º26'33"-10"S. As coletas de dados foram realizadas no período de maio de 2004 a junho de 2006. Os tipos de vegetação foram identificados utilizando imagem aérea, GPS e visualmente observando o hábito dos indivíduos, % de caducifolia e cobertura, luminosidade, formação de dossel, presença de estratos, proximidade de corpos d'água, afloramentos rochosos e a flora local. As amostras vegetais férteis foram coletadas de forma usual, numeradas herborizadas, triadas, identificadas e depositadas no Herbário Jataiense Germano Guarim Neto... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The Cerrado is the largest savanna area from South America, mainly situated in Brazil, with core area in the Planalto Central, encircling 97% of Goias State. The Cerrado is disappearing in accelerated rhythm, with reservations percentile and among these many of them are not researched. Therefore, this work was conducted in Reserva Pousada das Araras aiming to study the vegetal formations to investigate if the richness of phytophysiognomy, richness and diversity of phanerogamic species and the reason between the components of the vegetation (arboreal/shrub and sub-shrub/herbaceous) are similar to those described for the Cerrado. This study also aimed to analyze if the reproductive phenological standards of the formation and the vegetation components behave them as in other communities of the biome. This study considers that 10% of the reservation is an RPPN, Environmental Protection Area (APA) situated around a preservation unit (Parque Nacional das Emas), presumably an area with significant richness and diversity as well as similar phenological strategies to the most communities of the biome, reflecting its conservation. The area of the studies is located in the core region of the Cerrado, Planalto Central of Brazil, Goias State Southwest micro region in the municipality of Serranópolis, coordinates 51°59'42"00'22"W, 18°26'33"-10"S. The data collects were realized in the period from May 2004 to June 2006. The types of vegetation were identified by utilizing aerial image, GPS and visually by observing the habits of the individuals, percentile of leaves fall and coverage, luminosity, dossel formation, presence of strata, proximity of water corps, rocky outcrops and local flora. The fertile vegetal samples were collected by a usual way, numbered, herborized and selected, identified and deposited in the Germano Guarim Neto herbarium from Jataí (HJ). The taxons were identified... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Orientador: Leonor Patrícia Cerdeira Morellato / Resumo: Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo gerar informações básicas sobre a silvicultura das espécies florestais para possibilitar a implementação de programas de reflorestamento e recuperação de áreas degradadas na região amazônica. Trata-se de um estudo fenológico realizado pelo INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, especificamente pela Coordenação de Pesquisas em Silvicultura Tropical, ao longo de 35 anos. Este estudo analisou duas áreas de floresta amazônica, a Reserva Florestal Ducke (RFD) e a Estação Experimental de Silvicultura Tropical (EEST), no período de 1974 a 2000. O objetivo específico foi comparar os padrões fenológicos nas duas áreas experimentais, verificando sua regularidade e relação com fatores climáticos. As espécies selecionadas foram aquelas indicadas com potencial oleaginoso e ecológico, em avaliações preliminares e que estão sendo observadas para o estudo, a saber: Andiroba - Carapa guianensis Aubl.; Cumaru - Dipteryx odorata (Aubl.) Willd.; Casca preciosa - Aniba canelilla (H.B.K.) Mez e Pau rosa - Aniba rosaeodora Ducke. Foram amostrados 21 indivíduos de A. rosaeodora Ducke na RFD e cinco na EEST, e cinco indivíduos das espécies restantes em cada uma das duas áreas de estudo. Observados mensalmente com auxílio de um binóculo para o registro das fenofases (botões florais, antese, frutos imaturos e maduros). Os padrões fenológicos reprodutivos foram descritos de acordo com sua freqüência... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo). / Abstract: This research aims to generate basic information about the silviculture of forest species to make the implementation of reforestation programs and the recovering of degraded areas in the Amazon region possible. This phenological research has been conducted by INPA, specifically by the Tropical Silviculture Research Coordination, over a period of 35 years. This study will analyze two areas in the Amazon Forest, Reserva Florestal Ducke (RFD) and Estação Experimental de Silvicultura Tropical (EEST), in the period between 1974 and 2000. The specific objective is to compare the phenological patterns in both experimental areas, verifying their regularity and relationship with climatic factors. The species selected were those indicated with oily and ecological potential in preliminary evaluations: Andiroba - Carapa guianensis Aubl; Cumaru - Dipteryx odorata (Aubl) Willd; Casca preciosa - Aniba canelilla (H.B.K.) Mez and Pau rosa - Aniba rosaeodora Ducke. It were sampled twentyone individuals of A. rosaeodora Ducke in RFD and five in EEST, and five individuals of the remaining species in each one of the two areas of study. The individuals were monthly observed with the assistance of binoculars to record the phenophases. The phenological patterns will be described with regards to their frequency, regularity and duration. The relations among the phenological data with the climatic variables were made through the non-parametric Spearman linear correlation analyses taking in consideration the climatic monthly mean values. It was observed at EEST, that the flowering of the species studied tend to occur in a period of less precipitation, except for Carapa guianensis that tended to bloom in the transition from dry season to rainy season. Whereas, for Aniba rosaeodora the flowering tended to occur in the rainy epoch and... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below). / Doutor

Orientador: Marco Aurélio Pizo / Banca: Mauro Galetti / Banca: Wesley Rodrigues Silva / Resumo: A investigação das interações entre plantas e seus agentes dispersores têm implicações para a compreensão da diversidade biológica e sua conservação, e é um importante tema da ecologia evolutiva. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar os componentes quantitativos e qualitativos na dispersão de sementes de Struthanthus flexicaulis (Loranthaceae), uma erva-de-passarinho dióica, hemiparasita generalista e de ampla distribuição no cerrado do Brasil central. O estudo foi realizado entre janeiro de 2004 e abril de 2005 em um afloramento rochoso na Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais. Foram realizadas observações sobre a fenologia dos indivíduos femininos, observações focais para a avaliação dos parâmetros comportamentais dos dispersores, censos para avaliação da abundância relativa, sazonalidade e parâmetros comportamentais dos dispersores, observação direta e amostragem por procura ativa para avaliar a deposição das sementes de S. flexicaulis. Observou-se uma variação individual em S. flexicaulis com relação à duração do período e quantidade de produção de flores e frutos. A população estudada, no entanto, apresentou reprodução contínua ao longo do ano, porém de baixa intensidade na maioria dos indivíduos. Struthanthus flexicaulis teve seus frutos consumidos por um número bastante restrito de frugívoros: Elaenia cristata e Elaenia obscura (Tyrannidae), Mimus saturninus (Mimidae) e Schistochlamys ruficapillus (Thraupidae). No entanto, E. cristata foi o visitante mais freqüente e abundante ao longo do ano, responsável por mais de 96% das sementes dispersadas. Na área de estudo E. cristata apresentou uma dieta predominantemente frugívora, complementada pelo consumo de artrópodes... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Quantity and quality components of seed dispersal in Struthanthus flexicaulis (Loranthaceae) in a rupestrian field in southeastern Brazil. The investigation of interactions between plants and their seed dispersers has implications for the understanding of the biological diversity, its conservation and is an important issue in evolutionary ecology. The goal of this study is to investigate the components of quality and quantity in the seed dispersal of Struthanthus flexicaulis (Loranthaceae), a generalist dioceous mistletoe with wide distribution in central Brazil. The study was conducted between January 2004 and April 2005 in a rocky outcrop in Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. I conducted observations on female plant reproductive phenology, focal observations on fruiting plants to record behavioral parameters of seed dispersers, censuses to record the relative abundance, seasonality and behavioral parameters of seed dispersers, a direct observations and search on random established plots to evaluate seed deposition. Individual variation in the duration and quantity of flower and fruit production was detected. At the population level, reproduction was continuous, but in low intensity for most of the individuals. The fruits of S. flexicaulis were consumed by a small set of avian frugivores: Elaenia cristata and Elaenia obscura (Tyrannidae), Mimus saturninus (Mimidae) and Schistochlamys ruficapillus (Thraupidae), but E. cristata was the most frequent and abundant visitor throughout the year, responsible for more than 96% of the dispersed seeds. In the study site this bird was highly frugivorous, but also consuming a small proportion of arthropods... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below) / Mestre