Tracing coco de mer's reproductive history: Pollen and nutrient limitations reduce fecundity.

ABSTRACT: Habitat degradation can reduce or even prevent the reproduction of previously abundant plant species. To develop appropriate management strategies, we need to understand the reasons for reduced recruitment in degraded ecosystems. The dioecious coco de mer palm (Lodoicea maldivica) produces by far the largest seeds of any plant. It is a keystone species in an ancient palm forest that occurs only on two small islands in the Seychelles, yet contemporary rates of seed production are low, especially in fragmented populations. We developed a method to infer the recent reproductive history of female trees from morphological evidence present on their inflorescences. We then applied this method to investigate the effects of habitat disturbance and soil nutrient conditions on flower and fruit

SUBMITTER: Morgan EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5632624 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature