Is there an influence of the edge on plant pollination in dry forests? The case of Justicia aequilabris (Acanthaceae).

The edge conditions resulting from the fragmentation of moist forests may negatively affect the reproduction of many native plant species. We examined to what extent edge conditions affect plant reproductive biology in dry forests, comparing the reproductive biology of Justicia aequilabris in populations at the edge and in the interior of a dry forest fragment in north-eastern Brazil. We report on the composition and frequency of floral visitors, pollen deposition on the stigma, fruit set, pollen limitation and soil features. The composition of floral visitors was similar between habitats, but the frequency of visits and total number of visited flowers were higher at the edge. The mean number of pollen grains on the stigma was significantly higher in the interior. Fruit set after natural, manual cross- and natural cross-pollination together with fruit weight, width and length after natural pollination were also significantly higher in the interior. No differences were observed in pollen limitation rates. Edge soil was more acidic, with lower macronutrient concentrations and higher levels of aluminium. The results provide evidence that several plant pollination and reproductive parameters may be negatively influenced by edges in dry forests, potentially as a consequence of pollinator services guild and soil composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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