Parra-Tabla, V., Vargas, C. F., Naval, C., Calvo, L. M. and Ollerton, J. (2011) Population status and reproductive success of an endangered epiphytic orchid in a fragmented landscape. Biotropica. 43(5), pp. 640-647. 0006-3606.
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Abstract:
Habitat fragmentation and disturbance are two of the most significant drivers of species extinctions in plant populations. The degree of impact of fragmentation on
plant populations depends on the level of specificity of plant–animal interactions, as well as on the availability of suitable sites for seedling recruitment. In this study, we describe the population density and structure, pollen limitation and reproductive success of the endangered tropical orchid Myrmecophila christinae, an epiphytic
species with a specialized pollination system. We surveyed a total of 14 populations located in a fragmented landscape. Seedling density was related to habitat disturbance and host plant density; while density of juveniles was related to density of adults. Adult and total individual densities were related to habitat affectation. We
also found that fragments o1 ha had significantly fewer seedlings, as well as an over-representation of large adults. On the other hand, fruit production was higher in
fragments 410 ha, and fruit set was significantly lower in highly disturbed fragments. Hand pollination experiments showed that M. christinae was pollen limited in
all the studied populations, suggesting that pollen limitation is unrelated to habitat disturbance. Overall, our results suggest that fragmentation has affected key
demographic features of M. christinae, including reproduction and recruitment
Uncontrolled Keywords:
Disturbance, habitat fragmentation, Mexico, orchid conservation, pollen limitation
Subjects:
Creators:
Parra-Tabla, V., Vargas, C. F., Naval, C., Calvo, L. M. and Ollerton, J.
Publisher:
Wiley-Blackwell
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:
Date:
September 2011
Date Type:
Publication
Page Range:
pp. 640-647
Journal or Publication Title:
Biotropica
Volume:
43
Number:
5
Language:
English
ISSN:
0006-3606
Status:
Published / Disseminated
Refereed:
Yes
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