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Abstract The objective of this study was to analyze the morphofunctional attributes of Mixed Ombrophyllous Forest species of different successional categories. Fruits were collected from forest remnants in Curitiba, Paraná. It was analyzed the biometrics of seeds and seedlings of all species and the following ratios were estimated: shoot/seedling length, shoot/seedling mass, cotyledons/seedling mass, eophyll/seedling mass and seedling/ seed mass. Statistical differences among sucessional groups were observed in many of the evaluated traits. The variability among species is mainly explained by seedling size, tissue investment for light interception and shoot resource allocation. Late secondary species have larger seedlings with characteristics that indicate slower initial development, dependent on seed reserves. The pioneers species have smaller seedlings but faster development and earlier dependence on photosynthesis. These morphological and functional differences can result in different strategies for the establishment of seedlings in the successional process. The cluster analysis results on formation of two major groups. The first group is comprised of the late secondary species. The second group includes two distinct subgroups that separate the pioneers, and most of the early secondary species. These results indicate that the number and quality of available data should be considered in the definition of successional categories adopted in ecological studies.

The objective of this study was to analyze the morphofunctional attributes of Mixed Ombrophyllous Forest species of different successional categories. Fruits were collected from forest remnants in Curitiba, Paraná. It was analyzed the biometrics of seeds and seedlings of all species and the following ratios were estimated: shoot/seedling length, shoot/seedling mass, cotyledons/seedling mass, eophyll/seedling mass and seedling/ seed mass. Statistical differences among sucessional groups were observed in many of the evaluated traits. The variability among species is mainly explained by seedling size, tissue investment for light interception and shoot resource allocation. Late secondary species have larger seedlings with characteristics that indicate slower initial development, dependent on seed reserves. The pioneers species have smaller seedlings but faster development and earlier dependence on photosynthesis. These morphological and functional differences can result in different strategies for the establishment of seedlings in the successional process. The cluster analysis results on formation of two major groups. The first group is comprised of the late secondary species. The second group includes two distinct subgroups that separate the pioneers, and most of the early secondary species. These results indicate that the number and quality of available data should be considered in the definition of successional categories adopted in ecological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate functional attributes of tree species along different topographic position, in a forest located in Upper Uruguay region, in Santa Catarina. The wood density (WD), potential height (Hmax), leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), leaves renovation regime, regeneration and dispersal guilds were determined for the 20 most abundant species in the sampled area. The functional structure was evaluated through a community weight matrix (CWM) of traits values for each sampling unit. Mean values of elevation, declivity and curvature were extracted for each sampling unit, from a Terrain Digital Model in a resolution of 1 m. The data was analyzed through linear correlations, Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA), Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and linear simple model. The results indicated significant and negative correlation between Hmax x LA and Hmax x SLA. The topographic gradient significantly influenced the functional structure of tree component. It is concluded that the occupation of different positions along the topographic gradient and the forest vertical profile by tree species were mediated by different ecological strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumo O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a variação de atributos funcionais de espécies arbóreas ao longo de diferentes posições topográficas, em uma floresta subtropical na região do Alto Uruguai, em Santa Catarina. Para as 20 espécies mais abundantes na área amostrada, foram determinados densidade básica da madeira (WD), altura potencial (Hmax), área foliar (LA), área foliar específica (SLA), regime de renovação foliar, guildas de regeneração e de dispersão. A estrutura funcional foi avaliada por meio dos valores dos atributos funcionais por parcela, ponderados para a comunidade (CWM). A partir de um Modelo Digital do Terreno na resolução de 1 m, foram extraídas para cada parcela a elevação, a declividade e curvatura. Os dados foram analisados por meio de correlações lineares, Análise de Coordenadas Principais (PCoA), Análises de Componente Principais (PCA) e modelo linear simples. Os resultados demonstraram correlações significativas e negativas entre Hmax x LA e Hmax x SLA. O gradiente topográfico influenciou de forma significativa a estrutura funcional do componente arbóreo. Conclui-se que a ocupação de diferentes posições no gradiente topográfico e ao longo do perfil vertical da floresta se deve ao fato das espécies apresentarem diferentes estratégias ecológicas.