Variation in leaf functional trait and ecological strategies in two seedling species in disturbed forest fragments in Eastern Amazonia

ABSTRACT The importance of understanding environmental changes has stimulated the study of plant functional traits, which reflect the species' ecological strategies and determine how they respond to environmental variations and climate change. We tested whether the functional traits and ecological strategies of the species Bactris hirta Mart. and Tetracera sp. in the seedling stage respond to water and soil nutrient availability and landscape variation. We evaluated leaf traits, (SLA, LDMC, ΨTLP, and ΨsFT) in thirteen fragments in Barcarena, Brazil. The SLA and LDMC were collected during periods of low and high water availability. We analyzed macronutrients, soil texture, and landscape metrics. Both species showed higher LDMC during periods of low water availability, despite no changes in SLA. The variation in leaf traits led to changes in CSR strategies; however, there was a prevalence of the stress-tolerance strategy. The ΨTLP and ΨsFT were more negative in palm species than in liana. The landscape and soil characteristics influenced resource allocation patterns and drought-related traits of the species, yet the species differed in the relationships among the variables. The ability of both species to show intraspecific variability may be an important mechanism contributing to the abundance and prevalence of palms and lianas in forest fragments.