Characterization of the fruiting and dispersion syndrome of the tree species in fragments of Atlantic Forest in Santa Bárbara do Tugúrio and Barbacena - MG

Abstract

Seed dispersal is indispensable in the reproductive cycle of many plant species and constitutes
a way for the seed to resist the action of predators. Various agents can promote the transport
of seeds, such as wind (anemocory), animals (zoocoria), water (hydrocoria) and the plant’s own
mechanisms (autocoria). Studies on seed dispersal are an important tool for the conservation
of plant communities, since they seek to clarify the reproductive dynamics of plants, their interactions
with biotic and abiotic factors and their regeneration process. Thus, the objective
of this work was to analyze fruit and seed dispersal syndromes, as well as the fruit types of
shrub-tree species in fragments of the Atlantic Forest in the municipalities of Santa Bárbara
do Tugúrio and Barbacena. The fruits and / or seeds were harvested from February / 16 to
June / 16, through hiking in trails, which were classified according to their morphology and dispersion. A total of 85 individuals were collected from 26 native species in the reproductive
phase, with the Myrtaceae family showing the highest number of species. As for the dispersion
mechanism, the most abundant species were classified as zoocoric, followed by autocoricas
and anemochrones. Regarding fruit classification, drupa type were the most abundant in the
study. However, further studies on seed dispersal are needed as a tool for the conservation of
plant communities as well as for the recovery of degraded areas.