Lianas are important components of the structure and dynamics in seasonally dry
forests, but there are few studies on their ecophysiology and use in restoration ecology.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the ecophysiology of seeds and juveniles of
species of liana in the preferences for environmental regeneration and the variables
involved in using these species in direct seeding in restoration ecology. Seeds of 11
liana species were submitted to germination test in a combination of light and dark
conditions with constant and alternating temperatures, with 4 replicates of 25 seeds per
treatment. Seedlings growth was evaluated for eight liana species in conditions of full
sun light and shading, with 12 repetitions per treatment. The plants were evaluated
according to the dry mass of leaves, stem and root , as well to the number of leaves per
plant. For the study of direct seeding, 400 seeds of three liana species were sowed
under the canopy of four tree species present in a 20-year-old restored forest in
Iracemápolis - SP. Evaluation was performed monthly and for a period of 210 days by
accounting seedling emergence. The species Bauhinia sp, Pithecoctenium echinatum
and Urvillea laevis did not require light and alternating temperature to germinate, but the
species Macfadyena unguis-cati, Mucuna sp 1, Temnadenia violacea, Adenocalymma
bracteatum and Hippocratea volubilis showed positive photoblastism and the species
Peltastes peltatus, Aristolochia galeata and Cardiospermum grandiflorum required
alternating temperatures. All seedlings survived to shading, but most of then grew better
under full sun light. Only the species Bauhinia sp Macfadyena unguis-cati produced
seedlings in the direct sowing, but at low emergence percentage and rate, which did not
differ among tree species canopy. Thus, the studied lianas can have different responses
to environmental conditions typical of forest gaps, as some species required
light/alternating temperature to germinate and full sun light to grow better, and others
were indifferent to such conditions. These results indicate that the ecophysiological
characteristics of lianas should be considered when planning their introduction in
restoration ecology projects.
