Rhythms of nature: exploring the phenology of Guapira opposita (Vell.) Reitz in southern Espírito Santo, Brazil

Abstract

Plant phenology makes it possible to understand the dynamics of vegetative and reproductive events in response to the environmental conditions that affect populations and communities in a given habitat. In addition, this knowledge enriches the ecological aspects of species and supports the development, recovery and conservation of ecosystems. With this in mind, the aim of this study was to characterize the phenology of Guapira opposita (Vell.) Reitz and verify the influence of climatic variables (factors and temperature) on the different phenophases of the species, which comes from two forest remnants located in the south of the state of Espírito Santo. Phenological data was collected monthly during 2014 and the Fournier intensity index and percentage intensity methods were used in the analysis. There was little variation in the vegetation behavior of the species, which led to its classification as evergreen. No reproductive phenophases were observed, which may be related to climatic factors. It is known that the behavior of G. opposita vegetation is not very variable and the water deficit that occurred in the sampling year was probably the limiting factor for the non-occurrence of the species' reproductive phenophases.