Facilitation by Aechmea blanchetiana (Baker) L.B.SM. (Bromeliaceae) in the establishment and development of plants in a coastal dune ecosystem

Terrestrial bromeliads are reported as facilitating the establishment of plants in coastal dunes (restinga). Still, their action on establishment and/or development of other plants is not well understood. We evaluated the effect of Aechmea blanchetiana (Baker) (Bromeliaceae) on the germination and development of shrub/tree species occurring in a restinga area. Seeds of Clusia hilariana, Eugenia astringens, Guapira pernambucensis, Myrcia ilheosensis, Myrcia neuwiedeana, and Protium heptaphyllum were tested in a randomized experiment: T1 - germination in the axils of the bromeliad leaves; T2 - germination under bromeliad; and TC – control treatment: germination under the soil, without bromeliad. Soil fertility below and far from the bromeliad was evaluated to understand the chemical modifications in the soil promoted by A. blanchetiana. The presence of bromeliads favored the percentage and index germination speed, average germination time, and survival of germinated species. The biometry and biomass of the seedlings of the germinated species were positively influenced by the presence of the bromeliad, in addition to A. blanchetiana enriching the soil with organic matter and nutrients. Our results allowed us to classify A. blanchetiana as a facilitating plant in structuring restinga vegetation formations and suggest its use in environmental restoration projects of degraded restinga areas.