Phenology of Ficus guaranitica Chodat & Vischer.

• Autor(a) principal: Pereira, Rodrigo Augusto Santinelo
• Data de Publicação: 1995
• Outros Autores: Rodrigues, Efraim, Júnior, Ayres de Oliveira Menezes
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Semina. Ciências Agrárias (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://ojs.uel.br/revistas/uel/index.php/semagrarias/article/view/4321
• topic: Ficus guaranitica; Phenology; Conservation area; Degraded land.; Ficus guaranitica; Fenologia; Unidade de conservação; Ambiente degradado.

Many Ficus species play an important role as food resources for tropical forest fauna. This suggests that the genus has potential for use in restoration projects on degraded land. Phenological monitoring of these species may also suggest management strategies for conservation areas. Individuals of F. guaranitica were monitored weekly on the campus of Londrina State University for 22 months. Phenological parameters observed were: onset of flowering, total number of fruiting trees, and the duration of fruiting and leaf production. The parameters were compared to some climatic variables (maximum, minimum, and average temperature; relative air humidity; insolation; solar radiation; and rainfall). Fruiting trees were observed throughout the study period, but a higher percentage of individuals fruited during the coldest period of the year. Flowering onset occurred year-round with no significant seasonality. In winter, an extension of the fruiting period and a higher percentage of trees losing leaves were observed. Due to this year-round phenology F, guaranitica has a high potential as a food source for fauna in degraded habitats. This suggests that it can be a "keystone species" in conservation areas.