I aim to investigate palm regeneration and biodiversity patterns in a human-modified tropical landscape in northwestern Ecuador. I have three main questions.
Examine how palm communities' taxonomic and functional diversity and composition vary across a forest edge-to-interior gradient with different edge contrasts (pasture and cacao). I hypothesize that palm communities are more taxonomically and functionally diverse at intermediate distances from the edge, with stronger β diversity in pasture edges compared to cacao edges. Early life stages are expected to exhibit light-demanding traits toward the edge, while landscape forest cover is hypothesized to modulate edge effects, potentially increasing diversity and reducing differences between edge and interior forest.
Investigate the roles of abiotic and biotic factors on seedling establishment and survival in a forest edge-to-interior gradient with different edge contrasts (pasture and cacao). I hypothesize lower recruitment and survival at the pasture edge contrast compared to cacao, with large-seeded species showing more recruits toward the interior. Species with small seeds, lacking spines, and high specific leaf area (SLA) are expected to have lower survival toward the forest interior due to increased shade and moisture conditions.
Aims to explore herbivory patterns in palms along a forest edge-to-interior gradient, considering different edge contrasts (pasture and cacao) and how palm seedling traits influence these patterns. I hypothesize that herbivory levels vary along the gradient, being lower toward the edge due to reduced herbivore abundance or, alternatively, higher due to an increase in fast-growing, less-defended species. Herbivory is expected to be lower at edges bordering pasture compared to cacao due to herbivore abundance differences. Furthermore, palm seedling traits such as seed size, spines, specific leaf area (SLA), leaf thickness, and toughness are hypothesized to modulate herbivory, with species possessing larger seeds, spines, lower SLA, thicker leaves, and higher toughness experiencing lower herbivory.