Sudden openings and gradual closures in canopy cover modulate acclimation, survival, and growth of a shade-tolerant rainforest tree species

Forest disturbances at gap levels are one of the most important events for the regeneration and establishment of intermediate tree species. Abrupt canopy openings expose plants to high light intensity and high evaporative demands that stress shade-acclimated plants. Later, the slow closure of gaps reduces light availability to plants established when the incident irradiation was higher. This work evaluated the morphological and physiological acclimation of Cabralea canjerana (Vell) Mart. regeneration to sudden and to gradual changes in canopy cover. A pot experiment was carried out with plants exposed to a sudden opening. A few days after the light shock, plants rapidly increased photosynthetic rates and decreased leaf water potential. After two months, plants activated physiological responses at leaf and whole plant levels to high light and water stresses, e.g., increased stomatal conductance, stomatal index and reduction of leaf: fine roots ratio and chlorophyll. After seven months, hydraulic conductivity of petioles and the whole leaf increased, and growth was much higher than plants that remained under the canopy. In a field experiment in gaps in the rainforest, plants acclimated to all canopy covers. Seven years after planting, growth was maximum in open environments within the gaps, even if the canopy closed during the first 20 months after planting. In conclusion, if this species is planted to enrich the rainforest, positions within gaps with lower canopy cover should be chosen and gap closure will not affect growth. To manage C. canjerana natural regeneration, the opening of gaps and removal of understory will increase survival and growth without the risk that the stress caused by these sudden openings could lead to the death of seedlings. Combining pot and field experiments helps to understand the autecology of trees with particular ecological interest, and to build sound restoration practices.