Seasonal Ecophysiological Dynamics of Erythroxylum pauferrense in an Open Ombrophilous Forest of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract

Seasonal forests are characterized by seasonal dynamics that influence the growth and ecophysiology of forest species. Erythroxylum pauferrense is an understory species endemic to the Northeastern region of Brazil, with a distribution limited to Paraíba, Brazil. In this study, how the physiological characteristics of E. pauferrense vary in response to seasonal changes in an open ombrophilous forest of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest was investigated. Precipitation, air and soil temperature, and leaf area index were monitored and correlated with gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll indices, and leaf morphofunctional attributes. The results show that E. pauferrense exhibits ecophysiological plasticity, adjusting its photosynthesis rates, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency according to seasonal changes. During the rainy season, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were higher than in the dry season, indicating more excellent photosynthetic activity due to increased water availability. Water use efficiency varied, with more efficient use in the dry season, which is crucial for survival in conditions of low water availability. Thus, this study contributes to understanding the ecology of endemic understory species in seasonal tropical forests, such as Erythroxylum pauferrense.